The Road to Recovery Trust​

the words: Road to Recovery Trust

Tell us about your organisation/department/project (your aims, what you do, who you work with):  

The Road to Recovery Trust is a charitable organisation based in Newcastle upon Tyne, dedicated to supporting individuals in overcoming addiction, including substance use disorders, alcohol dependency, and behavioural addictions. The Trust provides safe and welcoming environments such as George Street Social, a recovery coffee shop designed to foster connection, mutual support, and access to essential recovery resources. 

Through a structured approach, we promote 12-step recovery principles, offering a range of support groups and mutual aid networks to empower individuals in sustaining their recovery journey. In collaboration with external organizations, we ensure comprehensive support services are available, reinforcing a holistic approach to addiction recovery. 

At the heart of our mission are Recovery Capital principles, which guide everything we do. We are committed to tackling the stigma surrounding addiction, fostering an inclusive and compassionate community, and advocating for those in recovery. By engaging with the broader public, we work to reshape perceptions, raise awareness, and champion recovery as a positive and attainable path forward. 

Our HQ is George Street Social, a bustling recovery hub in Newcastle. Come along, you’ll be made very welcome. 

Why not pop in and check out our fantastic Coffee Shop which is now open weekdays 9:30am - 3:00pm and Saturdays 9:30am - 12:30pm (closed Sundays) 

Each week, we provide space for 28 mutual aid meetings across 10 different 12‑step fellowships, as well as a SMART Recovery meeting. We also host Gam‑Anon once a month. Our programme continues to grow, with Crystal Meth Anonymous set to begin meeting here in mid‑April. 

We work closely with more than 80 local organisations, creating a vibrant network of support that people can access directly through our community hub. This partnership approach means that anyone walking through our doors can connect with a wide range of services without the barriers or delays that often make support hard to reach. Each week, our space hosts regular drop‑ins, including smoking cessation courses, volunteering support from Connected Voice, energy advice from the Wise Group, employment guidance from Triage, financial wellbeing sessions from CleanSlate. We also welcome the Pop‑up Library, PROPS, and Her Circle, each bringing their own specialist expertise. Together, these partners help us offer a truly holistic, person‑centred environment where people can find information, encouragement, and practical help all in one place. 

A twice‑weekly crèche service further strengthens our inclusive offer, ensuring parents and carers can take part in activities without barriers. Alongside this, we host Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service Safe and Well workshops, NHS App support sessions, and gambling‑related support delivered by NECA. Together, these additional services broaden the range of practical, preventative, and specialist help available within George Street, making it easier for people to access what they need in one safe place. 

Our offer is further enriched by a range of fully funded projects that bring creativity, wellbeing, and connection into everyday recovery. These include Zen Soundwaves, Wing Outdoor Activities, Recovery Rocks, Yoga sessions, CV and creative writing workshops, Sharing Circles, Relapse Prevention workshops, Community lunches and a wide range of other Being Well activities. Together, they create a diverse programme that supports personal growth, builds confidence, and helps people explore new interests in a safe, welcoming environment. 

 

Tell us why being a Haref Ally is important for you and your organisation 

Being a Haref Ally demonstrates our commitment to equity, dignity, and belonging in a way that goes beyond statements and is reflected in the daily culture of our organisation. For the Road to Recovery Trust, it’s a natural fit with the values we live by - compassion, inclusion, and creating spaces where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and able to be fully themselves. 

 

Tell us about anything that you or your organisation has done to improve how you work with ethnically marginalised communities  

The Road to Recovery Trust has always supported people from marginalised communities, including those affected by addiction, recovery, and mental health challenges. As we look to 2026 and beyond, we are committed to deepening our understanding and strengthening our practice so we can work even more effectively and sensitively with ethnically and culturally marginalised communities. 

 

Contact details for organisation: