Throughout 2025, delivered by Recovery Connections, we ran a series of events across all eight districts and boroughs of Derbyshire County, engaging with local communities to explore what is needed to grow Lived Experience Recovery Organisations (LEROs).
This project has now reached its conclusion.
For more information, updates and to find out more please visit GRID, www.growingrecoveryinderbyshire.co.uk
For questions to Recovery Connections, please contact ellie.brown@recoveryconnections.org.uk
Our blog post reflects on the project so far, sharing progress, events, and the inspiring role of lived experience in building connected, recovery-supportive communities.
"This project is rooted in possibility, in hope, honesty, and in a belief that recovery and lived-experience leadership is not only possible – it’s already happening."
LERO stands for Lived Experience Recovery Organisation. A LERO is a community-based group or organisation that is led by people in recovery, for people in recovery. Read more about LEROs.
There a different types of LEROs - informal ones, more formal (but not yet a legal organisation) and fully formal. LEROs that are formal and legal organisations usually begin informally and become more formal before they reach this stage.
LEROs come in many shapes and sizes and can do many different things - but what connects them is a shared commitment to building hope, reducing stigma, and making recovery more visible, accessible, and supported in local communities.
We have been joined at all of our events by Kelly Bond from 13 Bends Design, a talented local artist.
Sketch notes are a visual method of recording what happened during the events. Rather than taking written notes, beautiful images are created to represent the discussions and themes of the day.
This project is funded by Derbyshire County Council.
The Growing Recovery in Derbyshire Website maintained by the Derbyshire County Councils Public Health Substance Use Strategy. It brings together key information, support, and inspiration for people in or entering recovery from drug and alcohol use.
This project is being delivered by Recovery Connections, a lived-experience, peer-led, substance-use recovery organisation based in Middlesbrough.
