20TH ANNIVERSARY
Charity celebrates twenty years of helping people with addiction
31st October
A LIFESAVING alcohol and drugs support charity is celebrating 20 years of helping individuals recovering in the community.
Moving On Inverclyde held a 20th anniversary event at their premises on Jamaica Street to honour the crucial work they have been carrying out for the past two decades.
The charity, which supports around 70 service users each month, invited leading public figures such as Provost Drew McKenzie and health and social care partnership chief officer Kate Rocks to the event.
The chairperson of Moving On Ann Marie Docherty delivered a speech about the importance of their work in the community while founding member Eleanor Robertson outlined the journey of the charity since she formed it in the 2000s.
The event was organised by service manager Bev Thow, who told the Tele it was both 'moving and important' to mark the work of the life-changing support system.
Bev, who joined Moving On in July, told the Tele: "It was a full house, we had a great turnout of service users and faces in the community such as local councillors.
"It was great to hear from our speakers and we appreciate them giving up their time to join us for our celebration.
"Our work is not slowing down and it meant a lot for us to have so many people there supporting what we do.
"I am proud to be able to say our recovery service without doubt rebuilds lives, restores hope, and reshapes futures within our community and I’d like to personally thank each and every person who is part of that."
Last year the charity supported 162 individuals in crisis and so far this year the team have helped 122 people.
On the day guests were also read an anonymous testimonial from a service user who said Moving On has 'given him his life back'.
He said: "I’m a 31-year-old man who has struggled on and off with addiction for years.
"My drugs of choice were diazepam and cocaine and throughout my early twenties I struggled with anxiety and depression.
"At the time of joining Moving On in April this year, I was a homeless, depressed, anxious insomniac drug-addict, lonely as a result of my actions.
"I knew I had to make a positive change once and for all, and it was one of the best decisions I have made in some time.
"I know that addiction is an ongoing fight, but at least I have the tools and determination to be able to continue my sobriety thanks to Moving On Inverclyde."
