On Friday 29th November, Stoke Recovery Service, part of the Community Drug and Alcohol Service (CDAS) in Stoke-on-Trent, brought its community together for its annual Recovery Awards ceremony, hosted at Port Vale Football Club.
This year’s event also marked 10 years of Stoke Recovery Service, a dedicated community for people who are in abstinent recovery from drugs and alcohol.
A celebration of strength, hope, and community
The Recovery Awards showed that recovery is much more than stopping drinking or using drugs. For many, it’s about rebuilding lives, reconnecting with family, finding purpose, and feeling part of a community again.
“The Recovery Awards remind us that recovery isn’t just about drugs or alcohol - it’s about rebuilding lives, families and communities. Every person recognised tonight has shown extraordinary courage, and every partner here has played an important role in making that possible."
- Emma Roden, Service Manager at SRS
Awards were given across several categories, including Resilience, Inspiration, Growth, Giving Back and Volunteering.
The evening also included the first-ever Noreen Oliver Award for Courage and Bravery, named in honour of Noreen Oliver MBE, Hon.DLitt, founder of BAC O’Connor and fierce advocate for drug and alcohol policy reform.
Stories that remind us why connection matters
Guests also heard from several inspirational speakers, who kindly shared their personal experiences of recovery and how local support has helped them take the next step on their journey. Their honesty, strength, and humour were a reminder that recovery is possible with compassion, safety, and the right support around you.
The awards also shone a light on the partnerships that make recovery from drug and alcohol challenges possible every day in Stoke-on-Trent.
Attendees included clients, staff, and volunteers from Stoke Recovery Service, as well as key community figures such as the Deputy Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Joan Bell, and Vicki Yates, Public Health Programme Manager for Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
A decade of change - and what comes next
To mark 10 years of Stoke Recovery Service, we have created a short video looking back at the journey so far - from the early days to the strong, active community we see today. It highlights the people, partnerships, and milestones that have shaped recovery from drug and alcohol challenges in Stoke-on-Trent over the past decade.
As we look ahead, the message from the evening was clear: recovery is possible, and Stoke’s recovery community will continue to grow with compassion, partnership, and hope at its heart.