This September, Wolverhampton will host the UK Recovery Walk 2025 for the first time. Taking place on Saturday 13 September, the walk will unite people in recovery, their families, and supporters from across the UK in a vibrant celebration of resilience, community and hope. The event will form part of National Recovery Month, a campaign dedicated to raising awareness about recovery and challenging the stigma of addiction.

What Is National Recovery Month?

National Recovery Month is observed every September to highlight the stories of people rebuilding their lives after struggles with alcohol or drugs. The campaign celebrates successes, promotes the availability of treatment and support, and raises awareness that recovery is possible.

It is a chance to change the conversation. Rather than defining people by their addiction, Recovery Month recognises their strength, progress and contribution. It shines a light on individuals and families often overlooked, and on the community and professional networks that make recovery possible.

The UK Recovery Walk: A National Movement

The UK Recovery Walk, endorsed by Faces and Voices of Recovery UK (FAVOR UK), is the flagship public event of National Recovery Month. It combines a visible march through a host city with a festival-style Recovery Village, creating a day of solidarity, celebration and advocacy.

The first walk took place in 2009. Since then, the event has grown in scale and impact, drawing thousands of participants each year. In 2012, a bidding process was introduced to give different towns and cities the opportunity to host, ensuring the walk travels across the country and reaches new communities.

The walk is now recognised as one of the most significant events in the UK’s recovery calendar. It sends a powerful message: people in recovery are part of our communities, deserving of respect, support and celebration.

Chris’s Journey: From Addiction to Advocacy

For Chris Cole, Service Manager at the Good Shepherd in Wolverhampton, the Recovery Walk is a reflection of his own journey.

Chris grew up in a household marked by violence and instability. By his teenage years, he was caught up in crime, homelessness and addiction. He recalls nights spent wandering the streets with nowhere to go, sheltering in sheds or greenhouses, and using heroin and crack cocaine to survive.

His turning point came through connecting with professionals who had lived experience of recovery. Seeing people who had once faced the same struggles, but who were now thriving, gave him hope that change was possible. With their support, Chris began his own recovery journey.

Today, he leads the LEAP Project (Lived Experience into Action) at Good Shepherd, empowering others with lived experience to support people facing similar challenges.

Chris reflects on what recovery has taught him:

“Don’t give up on someone, be there for when they are ready to change. I’m only here now because people gave me a chance and now I get to give others that same chance.”

By sharing his story openly, Chris hopes to inspire others who feel stuck and to demonstrate that recovery is real and achievable.

Why Wolverhampton?

Wolverhampton won the right to host the 2025 walk through a national ballot, securing thousands of votes. The successful bid was led by the Good Shepherd Services and SUIT (Service User Involvement Team), with support from City of Wolverhampton Council and Recovery Near You.

The decision is a recognition of the city’s vibrant recovery community. Wolverhampton is home to numerous organisations and networks that support people to overcome addiction and build new lives. Hosting the walk offers an opportunity to showcase this work and to place recovery at the heart of local life.

Chris highlights the significance:

“This is our chance to show the rest of the country what recovery means to us. To challenge stigma, to celebrate success, and to inspire those who may not yet believe recovery is possible.”

Recovery and Homelessness: Breaking the Cycle

Addiction and homelessness are closely connected. Many people experiencing homelessness are also dealing with substance use, while people in active addiction are more likely to face housing insecurity. One issue often fuels the other, creating a cycle that can be extremely difficult to break.

Without stable housing, the risks linked to substance use increase. People may use drugs or alcohol to cope with trauma, stress and the harsh realities of life on the streets. At the same time, dependency can make it harder to secure or sustain accommodation, leading to repeated cycles of rough sleeping or temporary housing.

In Wolverhampton, organisations like the Good Shepherd work daily at this intersection. Alongside food and emergency support, they provide housing advice, recovery programmes and opportunities for people to build stability. This integrated approach is crucial, because recovery is not just about stopping substance use. It is also about rebuilding the foundations of life: housing, health, purpose and community.

Chris knows this from experience:

“When you’re on the streets, you don’t feel like you have a future. Recovery gave me a way forward. And housing, stability and the support of community gave me the chance to stay on that path.”

By hosting the UK Recovery Walk, Wolverhampton can draw attention to this link. The event highlights the need for prevention, housing support and joined-up services that help people move on and rebuild their lives.

Event Programme

• Recovery Conference – Friday 12 September, 9:30am to 4pm, Molineux Stadium
  A day of guest speakers, breakout sessions and networking opportunities bringing together recovery advocates, professionals and community leaders. Tickets available here.
• Spiritual Service – Friday 12 September, 6pm, St Peter’s Collegiate Church
  An inclusive service welcoming people of all faiths and none. The gathering will honour all recovery journeys and remember those lost to addiction.

• UK Recovery Walk and Recovery Village – Saturday 13 September, West Park, 12pm to 5pm
  • Walk: The walk will start at 12 noon from West Park, Wolverhampton’s premier Victorian park. The two-mile loop will pass iconic city landmarks including Molineux Stadium and the heart of the city centre. A shorter route will also be available, starting at 12:15pm from St Peter’s Church Piazza, for those who prefer a reduced distance.
  • Recovery Village: From 1pm to 5pm, West Park will host the Recovery Village with live music, art exhibitions, family activities, food and stalls from partner agencies. The village will also feature mutual aid meetings, performances and opportunities to learn more about local services.

How to Get Involved

There are many ways to take part:

• Register to walk and join the parade on 13 September.
• Volunteer to help welcome visitors, support the route, or assist in the Recovery Village.
• Sponsor or partner to demonstrate your organisation’s support for recovery.
• Attend on the day by walking, visiting the Recovery Village, or cheering participants along the route.

Information about registration, volunteering and sponsorship can be found at facesandvoicesofrecoveryuk.org/ukrw25.

Looking Ahead

Hosting the Recovery Walk is a significant moment for Wolverhampton. It will bring thousands of visitors to the city, raise awareness about recovery, and show solidarity with everyone on a recovery journey. It will also send a message to those who are struggling with addiction or homelessness that support exists, change is possible and they are not alone.

Chris sums it up:

“By raising awareness locally, we can reach people who haven’t yet found their path to recovery. At the very least, we plant a seed that change is possible.”

For the latest updates, visit facesandvoicesofrecoveryuk.org/ukrw25.