Calderdale – Humankind

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Calderdale Recovery Steps rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission

Jack Keery

The Calderdale Recovery Steps team pose for a picture at a Hep C elimination event

Calderdale Recovery Steps, the West Yorkshire borough’s community alcohol and drug service, has been rated ‘Outstanding’ in recognition of the caring and proactive support it provides. 

The rating was provided by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England. It found that Calderdale Recovery Steps, which is led by Humankind and delivered in partnership with The Basement Recovery Project, is an “Outstanding” service, particularly in the categories of being Caring and Responsive. 

According to the report, the service is a place that finds “innovative ways of delivering more joined up care to clients, particularly those with complex needs”, where the “passionate, highly motivated” staff are “consistent in supporting clients to live healthier lives”. 

Cllr Sarah Courtney, Cabinet Member for Towns, Engagement and Public Health at Calderdale Council, said: “We are delighted, but unsurprised, at this very well-deserved result. 

“Both Humankind and The Basement Recovery project have worked incredibly hard, in partnership with our whole system, to ensure that our services respond to the needs of people and places in Calderdale. Everyone involved in the service should feel very proud of this result and the recognition of the outstanding practice that’s making a real difference in our community.”  

Emily Todd, Regional Director at Humankind, said: “I am extremely proud of this CQC Outstanding result in Calderdale, which reflects the dedication and hard work of our staff teams.  

“Our services in Calderdale deliver a wide range of support to people and always take an innovative approach to working with the most vulnerable in our society with recovery and harm reduction at its core. 

“The relationships we have built with The Basement Recovery Project, our commissioners and other key partners allow us to effectively challenge health inequalities and save lives.” 

The CQC stated that: “leaders at all levels of the service were compassionate, inclusive and effective.” 

The CQC inspectors continue: “Clients from the adult and young persons’ service, told us staff respected and valued them as individuals and thought staff exceeded their expectations in supporting their emotional and practical needs. Staff treated people with compassion, kindness and empowered them to be active partners in their own care.” 

Calderdale Recovery Steps joins other Humankind-led services in being rated outstanding by the CQC during 2022, including Forward Leeds and County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service.  

The full report is available to read online from the CQC website: https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-10085964179

News

Humankind’s community members travel over 1,000 miles together in celebration of Recovery Month

Jack Keery

Barnsley Recovery Steps, a Humankind service, on a recovery walk through Barnsley

Humankind has been celebrating the successes of people recovering from addiction by holding events throughout September to mark Recovery Month.

Recovery Month is a national event that celebrates the achievements of people who have sought treatment for drug and alcohol use.

Staff, volunteers, and people who use our services have joined together at a range of events, including walks, bicycle rides, community litter picks, and step-challenges to recognise the achievements of close to 30,000 people who access our recovery services each year.

North Yorkshire Horizons hiking

Speaking about the events, Humankind’s CEO, Paul Townsley, said:

“National Recovery Month is always a hugely significant time in our charity’s calendar, not only because we are able to celebrate the fantastic achievements of people who have accessed our services and thrived within them, but because those people have the opportunity to show others who may be struggling that recovery from substance misuse is both real and achievable.

“The collective effort from participants to amass over 1,000 miles in walks, bike rides, and many other events sends a strong message that we must end the stigma surrounding drug and alcohol issues, and instead celebrate those in recovery who are taking life-changing steps and aiming to maintain their sobriety.”

In total, our Recovery Month participants collectively travelled over 1186.9 miles, representing more than three times the distance from our head office in Durham to the location of our service furthest in the south, EDP in Devon.

As well as events to get active, Humankind’s services have also hosted graduations for those who have achieved sobriety and parties for those in recovery.

Forward Leeds, one of our drug and alcohol recovery services, hosted a recovery graduation at Elland Road with former Leeds United football player Jermaine Beckford and professional boxer Maxi Hughes presenting the ceremony.

Professional boxer Maxi Hughes and Jermaine Beckford at the Forward Leeds Recovery Graduation

In Sheffield, The Greens Recovery Focused Accommodation hosted a garden party in recognition of the achievements of tenants such as Greg Goodwin, who in the space of a year went from being in intensive care as a result of alcoholism to going sober and taking part in a 170-mile bike ride.

Other events featured in Humankind’s Recovery Month calendar included:

  • Barnsley Recovery Steps – 10-mile ramble
  • Calderdale Recovery Steps – outreach event in Halifax Town Centre, with public speakers, bands, choirs, and stalls
  • EDP Drug and Alcohol Services – Mount Everest Steps Challenge
  • Forward Leeds – Waterfront Recovery Walk
  • North Yorkshire Horizons – Yorkshire Three Peaks hike
  • South Tyneside Adult Recovery Service – Recovery Walks
  • Staffordshire Adult Recovery Service – Recovery Walks
  • The Greens Recovery Focused Accommodation – 170-mile Way of the Roses bike ride
  • The Greens Recovery Focused Accommodation – weekly community litter picks