Caroline Quentin attends RISE graduation ceremony

Local celebrity Caroline Quentin presented certificates at the RISE Recovery Peer Supporter Graduation.

RISE is a recovery orientated drug and alcohol service delivered across Devon by a partnership of Addaction and EDP Drug & Alcohol Services.

The nine graduates were recognised for completing their training course as peer supporters, who will now go on to help RISE service users overcome substance misuse issues.
Former service users themselves, they will lead by example at the Devon alcohol and drug service, inspiring others with their own recovery journeys.

The graduation ceremony was held at RISE’s Exeter base, with peer supporters coming from RISE services across the county including Newton Abbot, Exmouth, Tiverton and Exeter.
Caroline Quentin handed out certificates to each peer supporter alongside former graduate Sarah Garland who co-led the training.

Caroline said: “Speaking to all of the peer supporters graduating today, it is clear that this training has helped them to make positive changes in their lives and has prepared them to offer support to others in similar situations.”

RISE peer supporters recently won the Marsh Recovery Award for ‘best group in the field of recovery.’

At the graduation, a past graduate, Ali Chapman, shared her experiences of being a peer supporter and how it had helped her to move forward in her recovery.
She said: “As a peer supporter I feel my role is to give my experience and hope that it can be done. I was trapped in addiction for a long time and I’ve managed to get out of that. I hope that by being a role model I can show people that it’s always possible. Recovery is possible.”

Over the last year, each of the peer supporters completed accredited course in Understanding the Principles of Care, Organisational Policies and the Role of the Supporter and have since become a vital part of the service.

From October to December 2015, 23 peer supporters across RISE gave an amazing 1,300 hours of their time to support to those wishing to address their drug and/or alcohol use. They have delivered workshops, activities and groups and have been key in instigating 13 pop up recovery cafes a week throughout Devon - open to anyone who is looking to access help, across Devon.

The aim of RISE is to empower individuals and their families to achieve their own personal goals through recovery and integration and peer supporters are key to making this happen.

Many of the peer supporters have now left treatment and have moved on to become Recovery Champions for RISE or taken up full time employment.

If you are looking for support to address your drug or alcohol use please visit the RISE website www.riserecovery.org.uk to find your nearest service.