RECIPE is a community project started in April 2011 by my partner Stacey and Myself. Drawing upon several years of experience developing and delivering a successful Peer Support Service we continue to offer support to vulnerable people with Addiction issues and to provide food for the homeless and poorly housed.
Middlesbrough’s homeless problem is well recognised and with biting benefit cuts and people being sanctioned for minor infractions of policies we see an ever increasing need to provide food and support.
We have developed simple and sustainable projects that are delivered for minimum costs by our volunteers. Projects include The Friday Food and Support Group, The Recovery Nature Walks, Camping and attendance of Recovery events.
We have been delivering food to the homeless for 6yrs and from the Middlesbrough Community Church on Clifton St for over 3yrs. We feed 40 to 50 people every week with a wholesome nutritious meal, we welcome them with a smile and show them love and respect which allows them to feel valued. Our support group is growing and we feel that it is an invaluable intervention in supporting people to change as well as an excellent opportunity to develop new friendships and social networks.
RECIPE also offers a guided walk in nature every Sunday providing clothing, boots, transport and a packed lunch this has been running for many years and has been very successful. Nature has a very calming influence and allows people to feel safe and relaxed. It is also an excellent form of exercise, helping to build fitness and create an appetite.
We have an incredible team of passionate Volunteers including many who have been grateful recipients of our support who have then gone on to achieve recovery themselves and join our dedicated team. We call this visible Recovery and it is a tremendously powerful motivating factor for other people seeing this, it provides them with inspiration and belief that they can get into recovery and change their lives too.
Check out our Facebook page & our website