Recovery Communities and Ambassadors

Description

The Hampshire Public Health Strategy 2023-2026 aims to reduce the number of residents harmed by drugs and alcohol by providing high quality prevention, treatment and recovery services. In Hampshire, there are an estimated 2,100 people who use opiates and/or crack, and around 9,000 people who are alcohol‑dependent and not currently in treatment. In addition, over 5,000 people are engaged in drug and alcohol treatment and continue to experience significant vulnerability. People with drug and alcohol needs, whether they are accessing support or not, are among our most vulnerable residents. Substance use can have a profound impact on health, families and local communities. Individuals are often marginalised and stigmatised by communities, services and employers, and this stigma creates additional barriers to seeking help, sustaining recovery, improving quality of life and participating fully in community life. A priority for the Hampshire Strategic Drug and Alcohol Partnership (HSDAP), led by Hampshire County Council Public Health, is to reduce stigma and strengthen local systems so people can seek help early, recover, and participate fully in community life. Engagement and co-production with people with lived experience of drug and/or alcohol dependency is central to this programme of work. In 2025 Hampshire County Council undertook a literature review to identify evidence-based interventions to address drug and alcohol related stigma. This review indicated there is significant potential to reduce stigma through facilitating contact and connections with people with lived experience. There is also growing evidence on the effectiveness of peer support programmes in the community to enable longer term recovery. Hampshire County Council have an established Recovery Ambassador programme to develop recovery communities in Havant, Gosport and Fareham districts. Recovery Ambassadors are people with experience of drug /alcohol dependence who are now in recovery, and with training and support, are able to use their experience to help, engage and inspire others to choose or maintain their recovery from drug and/or alcohol use.