MORE than 150 people gathered for a special Recovery Reunion.
The event was held at Rainford Hall in St Helens and organised by Steps Together, bringing together former clients, families, friends, and colleagues from across the recovery community to mark nine years since the organisation was founded in August 2017.
Rainford Hall has served as a centre for recovery and wellbeing for four years and holds historic connections to St Helens’ glassmaking heritage and the Pilkington family.
Darren Rolfe, founder and CEO of Steps Together, said: "I don’t think any of us could have quite prepared ourselves for how emotional the day would feel.
"To look around and see so many people who have been through their own recovery journeys, surrounded by their families, friends and the people who have supported them, was incredibly powerful.
"There were moments when I felt completely overwhelmed with emotion.
"Recovery can be a difficult and deeply personal journey, so to see so much celebration, laughter and connection all around was something really special.
"It was a reminder of why we do what we do and, importantly, that recovery doesn’t end when treatment does."
The reunion included live music, wellbeing activities, food, and family entertainment, with many guests sharing personal stories and reconnecting with therapists and staff.
A former client who attended the reunion said: "Coming back to Rainford Hall and seeing people who were such a big part of my recovery journey was emotional in the best possible way.
"To see everyone celebrating and enjoying life was a reminder of how far we can come.
"I’m incredibly grateful to be part of this community."
Cllr Stephen Little, Mayor of St Helens, attended the event and spoke about his own family’s experience with addiction, highlighting the event’s core message that recovery is not just about the individual, but also about families and communities.
Guests were also recognised for their individual recovery milestones and received personalised gifts engraved with their length of sobriety.
The event was supported by Steps Together’s charity partners, including the Katie Piper Foundation, Willowbrook Hospice, St Helens World of Glass, and Hard Hitters.
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