DerbyshireLivedExperienceRecoveryDevelopment

Your Recovery, Your Community

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

In this project, our approach is to support the expertise and knowledge of Derbyshire County Communities and amplify the voices of lived experience.

Together, we will develop a LERO Development Plan which will 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.

About the Project

This project aims to promote the development and sustainability of Lived Experience Recovery Organisations (LEROs) in Derbyshire County.

LEROs are organisations led by people in recovery from substance use, and for people in recovery from substance use - offering peer-led support, reducing stigma, and supporting others to find their own recovery path.

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.

Our Upcoming Events

Bakewell, Derbyshire Dales

Where: The Medway Centre, New Street, Bakewell, DE45 1DY.

When: 12.30 pm - 3.30 pm on Wednesday, 2nd July 2025

Visit our Eventbrite to secure your place: Book Now

Would you like a copy of our poster? Click to download.

Bakewell, Derbyshire Dales: Your Recovery, Your Community

Carr Vale, Bolsover

Where: Bainbridge Hall, Chapel Road Bolsover S44 6PX

When: 12.30 pm - 3.30 pm on Tuesday 8th July 2025

Visit our Eventbrite to secure your place: Book Now

Would you like a copy of our poster? Click to download.

Carr Vale, Bolsover: Your Recovery, Your Community

Belper, Amber Valley

Where: Strutts Community Centre, Belper, Derby Road Belper DE56 1UU

When: 12.30 pm - 3.30 pm on Wednesday 9th July 2025

Visit our Eventbrite to secure your place: Book Now

Would you like a copy of our poster? Click to download.

Belper, Amber Valley: Your Recovery, Your Community

Buxton, High Peak

Where: St Annes Parish Centre, Hardwick Square West Buxton SK17 6PX

When: 12.30 pm - 3.30 pm on Monday 14th July 2025

Visit our Eventbrite to secure your place: Book Now

Would you like a copy of our poster? Click to download.

Buxton, High Peak: Your Recovery, Your Community

What we are doing

Raising awareness about what LEROs are and what they can offer
Hosting events and conversations in every district and borough of Derbyshire
Listening to local voices, especially those with lived and living experience, working together to amplify the voices of lived experience.
Sharing stories, resources, and tools from around the country

Why are we doing this project?

We are doing this over the course of 2025 with local existing and emerging LEROs, community members, and the people of Derbyshire County with lived and living experience to develop and create a co-produced. This plan will set out a shared vision, values, and clear steps for building a thriving, connected and inclusive recovery ecosystem across the county.

About Our Events

What are these events about?

These events are part of a county-wide consultation to co-create a development plan for in Derbyshire for Lived Experience Recovery Organisations (LEROs), which are recovery-led groups shaped and run by people with lived and living experience of addiction and recovery.

The Events are connection and learning, consultation and co-creation. Together, we’re exploring how lived experience can lead to change, shaping service and systems design, and support stronger recovery outcomes across the county.

The aim? To understand what communities need to start, grow and sustain LEROs in order to build a practical, community-led roadmap that can be acted on to provide the support to grow recovery through lived experience and lived-experience leadership.

Whether you're in recovery, support someone who is, or care about building stronger, more inclusive communities, your voice matters and we want to hear from you.

What will I get from attending?

These events are designed to be interactive, inclusive, and inspiring. Whether you’re already part of recovery communities, a member of the local community or you're working in the sector, you’ll have the chance to:

Learn about LEROs - what they are, how they work, and the theory and evidence behind them
Hear real-world examples of how LEROs have transformed people’s recovery journey
Explore the power of lived experience leadership and why it matters
Join creative workshops to share your own experiences, ideas, and priorities, and explore the potential and opportunities for LEROs in your area
Connect with others to grow local recovery networks and share best practice
Help shape a county-wide plan to support and grow LEROs in every part of Derbyshire

Each event will feature storytelling, practical discussion, peer insight, and is an open space for exchange.

Who can attend?

Anyone can attend!

We welcome everyone - all we ask is that you join us with curiosity and openness. This event is for...

People in recovery or with lived or living experience of addiction
Family members or loved ones of peolple with lived-experience of addiction or recovery
Peer mentors, community connectors, and volunteers
People who an involved in a LERO or are interested in starting or joining a LERO
Workers in treatment, housing, health, criminal justice, and other sectors
Funders, commissioners, policy partners
Community and faith leaders
Community members in the local areas

This event is for anyone who is interested, or invested in building recovery-led community action. Whether you’re already deeply involved or you are just curious, this is a welcoming space to contribute and grow.

What will happen after the events?

The insights, ideas and feedback gathered from every event will directly shape the Derbyshire LERO Development Plan, which will inform, through a holistic and community-built roadmap, how to support, fund, and grow lived experience-led recovery activity.

If you'd like to continue to stay involved, why don't you register your interest to join us in our upcoming monthly Derbyshire County LERO Development Network meetings online.

About Derbyshire County LERO Development Network meeting

This meeting will be held online once per month, and will be an informal network with the broad aims of:

Creating connections, network and exploring opportunities to develop Lived-Experience
Consultation and community-led co-production about the LERO Development Plan, future events and activities of this project
Dicussions and learning about local strengths, opportunities or barriers relating to recovery and recovery support

This meeting and network will evolve according to what best suits communities, individuals and groups .

All are welcome all to register their interest, but we ask that:

You are a resident of, or work in, or have a meaningful relevant connection to Derbyshire County
You are supportive of recovery, tackling stigma and celebrating recovery

If you have any questions, please get in touch with us contact@recoverycommunityderbyshire.co.uk, or you can register your interest by completing the form at the link above.

What is a LERO?

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.

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.

Watch the video to find out more about this project

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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