Running for your life – a couch to 5k review

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You will have seen The Basement Recovery Project message, “Freedom from Drink, Freedom From Drugs, Freedom from Addiction… Freedom from FEAR”  Our whole recovery programme is about this – Freedom.  Joshua J Marine said, “Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful“.  For many, giving up substances is filled with fear, even for those who are not physically, mentally and emotionally addicted, there is often a fear of giving something up.  Quitting after many years of substance use is a huge accomplishment, but it’s not the end goal.  The end goal is to turn your life around, find purposeful meaning.   We offer many routes for people to find purpose again.  Bernadette is a great example and we are proud of her achievements.  Here are a few words from her about the Couch to 5K programme with Kev.

The first time I went to the track to participate in the 0 to 5k programme I felt apprehensive. I had previously tried several times to complete the programme on the treadmill at the gym. And I had only got to week 3/4 before quitting. The track looked huge and intimidating. I nearly turned back to go home and I questioned my sanity, I wasn’t a runner. Runners don’t look like me, nearly 50 and overweight. But everyone was very welcoming, and I decided to stay.

After the warm-up. Kev and I started to run around the track. I struggled to even do one lap. I couldn’t ever imagine running around it without stopping, and I certainly thought that running around it 12 times to complete 5k was impossible. With encouragement from Kev, after 8 weeks of the programme I eventually completed 12 laps of the track, and it was a fantastic feeling. I later completed a Huddersfield park run and that was a perfect day. I had had my park run barcode for about 4 years but didn’t have the motivation to go. I was so happy to run 5k. I felt like a hero.

Best of all, my daughter said she was proud of me, which felt amazing because she hasn’t ever had an opportunity to feel proud of me before. Running has given me self respect, confidence, well-being and laughter. The highs I get from running beat any received from using a substance.

The friends I’ve made through running are genuine and supportive. My life has changed because of this programme. It has influenced many areas of my life. My nutrition has improved, I now eat more fruit and vegetables and drink more water because I want my body to be well enough to continue running for many years to come.

Kev is an amazing coach. He really looks after us all. His passion for running is infectious and his knowledge of all things running is vast. I couldn’t have achieved any of this without his mentoring.

I am very grateful.
Bernadette

Read more about Kev and the Couch to 5K in his own story: Running for Recovery.

New Suicide Bereavement Service

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A new service to support people bereaved or affected by suicide goes live on Monday (2 December) across West Yorkshire and Harrogate. The service is a response to the fact that people bereaved by suicide are more likely to suffer from severe depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, or even adopt suicidal behaviours themselves.

The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Suicide Bereavement Service will provide support through one to one peer support, peer support groups and advocacy.

The new service, an extension of the Leeds Suicide Bereavement Service, is central to West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership’s plan to improve bereavement support, while it works to reduce the numbers of suicides too.

Support on offer, which will enhance suicide bereavement support services across the region, will include practical advice and signposting to other much-needed services, for example, counselling or financial advice.

A number of workshops are running throughout December and are open to all, irrespective of a coroner’s conclusion. People will be able to self-refer to the service or be referred by other people such as funeral directors, police, coroners, or NHS staff across West Yorkshire and Harrogate.

Additional support will also be available to staff affected by suicide in the course of their duties; for example health, social care or emergency service staff. Help will also be available to people who have been bereaved historically yet feel they may benefit from peer-led support.

Yorkshire and Humber has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership is driving a collaborative approach to reduce suicide and improve services. It is working towards reducing suicide by 10% across the region and by 75% in targeted areas.

Referrals can be made by visiting www.wyhsbs.org.uk or by calling 0113 305 5800. Practitioners will be based in Bradford, Harrogate, Huddersfield and Leeds but meeting locations will be flexible. Support groups will begin in December at the following locations:

• Kirklees group: Thursday, 5 December, 6pm-7.30pm at Support to Recovery – S2R CREATE SPACE, Brook Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1EB

• Bradford group: Friday, 6 December, 6pm-8pm at Mind in Bradford – KenBurgh House, 28 Manor Row, Bradford BD1 4QU

• Calderdale group: Wednesday, 18 December, 6-8pm at Halifax Fire Station, Skircoat Moor Road, King Cross, Halifax, HX1 3JF

• Craven group: Wednesday, 18 December, 6-8pm at Settle Victoria Hall, Kirkgate, Settle, BD24 9DZ

• Harrogate group: Monday, 9 December, 6pm-8pm at Mind in Harrogate – Acorn Centre, 101A Station Parade, Harrogate HG1 1HB

• Wakefield group: Wednesday, 11 December, 6-8pm at Lightwaves Leisure Centre, Lower York St, Wakefield WF1 3LJ

People bereaved by Suicide in Leeds are able to access the linked Leeds Suicide Bereavement Service, funded by Leeds City Council. Referrals can be made by visiting www.LeedsSBS.org.uk or by calling 0113 305 5803. Leeds drop-in group is first Tuesday of every month, Civic Hall in Leeds City Centre, 6-8pm.

Rob Webster, CEO Lead for West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership and CEO for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said:

‘As someone personally affected by suicide, I understand the impact it can have on individuals, families and other people too. This service will provide essential help to those facing one of the hardest issues to face. This is something that I hope becomes less needed as we reduce suicides through our other work to help more people’.

TBRP partners with The Hirsche Foundation

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The Basement Recovery Project is excited to announce a strategic partnership with The Hirsche Foundation.

The Hirsche Foundation is a local charity established to help the homeless in the West Yorkshire region. The definition of ‘homeless’ is not just ‘rough sleeper’ but also includes those in temporary accommodation, hidden homelessness (staying with friends, sofa surfing, etc.), those at risk of violence or abuse in the home, etc.

The Hirsche objective being:

“The relief of poverty of the homeless in West Yorkshire by providing items, services and facilities to homeless people in need and/or charities, or other organisations, working to relieve the poverty of the homeless”.

Though not everyone who has problems with drugs or alcohol will become homeless and not every homeless person has an issue with drug or alcohol abuse, the levels of drug and alcohol abuse are higher amongst the homeless population.

The Basement Recovery Project and The Hirsche Foundation have formed a partnership that will help those struggling with addiction and who find themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Please visit the Hirsche Foundation website and show your support.

Thank you, from all at TBRP.

Recovery Coach x 2

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The Basement Recovery Project (TBRP) is looking to recruit two recovery coaches who are keen to develop and coordinate the capacity of substance misusers to contribute to their own welfare and recovery from substance-related harms as part of an expanding programme of self-help activities. Closing date: Noon, 16th August 2019 …

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TBRP calls out for votes to bag a share of Tesco’s community fund

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The Basement Recovery Project is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags for Help initiative.

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 awarded to local community projects.

Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.

TBRP is one of the groups on the shortlist.

Fiona Whitehead, who made the nomination for The Basement Recovery Project said:

“I’m are delighted to learn that the nomination to the Tesco Bags of Help Grant Scheme has been successful and TBRP will be put forward to a customer vote in Tesco stores during May and June 2019.  The project gives so much to the local community and this is a great way for people to help TBRP do that.  Every little helps, as they say.”

Voting is open in all Tesco stores below from 1st May 2019 – 30 June 2019 and customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

HALIFAX AACHEN WAY, HX1 3TU
HALIFAX METRO, HX1 1PG
HIPPERHOLME, HX3 8HQ
GREETLAND STAINLAND ROAD, HX4 8AD
SOWERBY BRIDGE, HX6 1LL
OVENDEN HALIFAX, HX2 8BQ
HALIFAX SCHL LANE, HX3 0AA

Tesco’s Bags of Help project has already provided over £71 million to more than 23,000 projects across Britain. Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop. Every other month, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.

Alec Brown, Head of Community at Tesco, said:

“Bags of Help contributes funds to community projects up and down the country and we’ve been overwhelmed by the response from customers voting in their local stores. We’re looking forward to seeing more projects brought to life.”

Groundwork’s National Chief Executive, Graham Duxbury, said:

“Bags of Help continues to enable local communities up and down Britain to improve the local spaces and places that matter to them. The diversity of projects that are being funded shows that local communities have a passion to create something great in their area. We are pleased to be able to be a part of the journey and provide support and encouragement to help local communities thrive.”

Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp.

poster asking for votes for bags of help from tesco

Tosh’s Story

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This is a brief account of Tosh’s relationship with drugs. It’s frank and told in his own words.  Thank you, Tosh, for allowing us to share your story with the wider community and showing that a life without drugs is possible, even for those who never thought it was.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been a bad kid. I know there was a time I was happy and normal but that was too long ago. I had an unhappy childhood, I was the second child of five. Dad was a pisshead. I’m really not sure of the why but being unhappy must have played its part…

Toshs Story

Recovery Community Giving Back to Life Saving Hospital Ward

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TBRP staff, past and present clients, members of our recovery communities and friends and relatives are all getting behind an event to help raise vital funds for Ward 17 at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.  We hope you will too!

Rallying the recovery communities of Calderdale in Recovery and Kirklees in Recovery is Fiona Whitehead who, at one point, was given just hours to live. Fiona considers herself lucky and due to the professionalism and quick thinking of the staff at Ward 17, she is still here and able to say thanks by helping in their campaign.  Ward 17 are trying to raise a massive £20,000 for vital life equipment.

See how you can help …

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Thank you to our community 2018

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TBRP Happy New Year 2019 message envelope graphic

Each year, we send a letter to the Halifax Courier asking them to thank our communities for their support throughout the previous year. Here is a copy of the letter for 2018.

Dear Editor

It’s the time of year that many of us reflect on the year passing, and look forward to what’s in store for the new year. It’s also a time that we at The Basement Recovery Project (TBRP) say thank you to all those who have helped us over the last 12 months to support people who are affected by the illness of addiction.

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From no hope, isolation and loneliness to The Great North Run!

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18 months of training with a group of 10 very motivated and hard working runners. All from disadvantaged backgrounds. One fantastic trainer, ex-professional international rugby player, Damian Gibson (DG Ozfit), who was actually one of this year’s local heroes. As a team, we were privileged enough to represent the “Home Run Project” team in the promotional video which was partly aired on the BBC.

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#Alcohol Awareness Week 2018

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Every day, 20 people die as a result of their drinking. But alcohol harm is not inevitable. This Alcohol Awareness Week communities across the country call for change. Find us at Halifax market all week and at Todmorden market on Thursday.

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