A national charity will launch England’s first Recovery College in York to support people overcoming alcohol and substance misuse.

Through the college, the Wired Into Recovery charity will train people who are successfully recovering from addiction, to support others going through the recovery process. It follows the principle than an individual can heal themselves, heal their family and heal their community.

York’s Recovery College is modelled on a successful community project run in Glasgow. It aims to equip people to work safely within their own community to support people who want to stay off alcohol or drugs and to welcome anyone in supported recovery from an alcohol or drug problem, who’s no longer using any illegal substances and is willing to work as part of a team to challenge stigma, to advise on matters relating to substance misuse, and to support others who wish to live alcohol or drug-free in York.

Free places are on offer to people who can commit to all 12 sessions and who, after the course, are willing to give their time to work on events, campaigns and support others to live active positive lives after problems with alcohol or drugs.

York’s Recovery College will be led by volunteer graduates of the Glasgow college who have themselves recovered and are now in paid employment. The programme runs from 28 January on Mondays and Tuesdays for a six-week period. Anyone wishing to join the programmeshould email michaela@wiredintorecovery.org.uk