DerbyshireLivedExperienceRecoveryDevelopment

This project is delivered by Recovery Connections and led by lived experience, aims to support communities to learn about and develop LEROs in Derbyshire County.

Together, we will develop a LERO Development Plan which will be a roadmap for Derbyshire County Council to support future, existing and growing LEROs. We will do this together - in a way that ensures voices from across Derbyshire County can shape how this LERO support is designed, delivered and improved to support future or growing LEROs. Read more about the Project.

Throughout 2025, we’ll be running a series of events across all eight districts and boroughs of Derbyshire County, engaging with local communities, which will lead to the co-production of a LERO development plan tailored to the unique needs, strengths and hopes of the people in this county.

"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."

Our recently published blog post reflects on the project so far, sharing progress, events, and the inspiring role of lived experience in building connected, recovery-supportive communities.

Read the Blog

Events Calendar

Double click on the calendar entries of events to
find out more about the event or register in advance.

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.

This video has been created to show you real life examples of what LEROs do. You'll learn more about Creative Start in Grimsby, us at Recovery Connections in Middlesbrough and the North East, and Getting Clean in Leeds.

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.

Our Funding and Support

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.

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