Lin welcomed Richard Price, Duty Officer from Penrhyn House, Bangor who gave a very informative and frank talk about the work at the Centre and also his own journey and struggles with addiction.
NWRC was founded in 2014 by James Deakin, who was at the time working in criminal justice services and becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of effective provision available for people with drug and alcohol addictions.
NWRC began delivering a programme of meetings and recovery activity from Penrhyn House, which at the time was a hostel for ex-offenders. After negotiations with the landlord, James and the team took over the running of Penrhyn House and have since been running a rehabilitation programme for people with addictions to drugs and alcohol, they also provide a range of abstinent accommodation from both Penrhyn House and dispersed across Bangor.
NWRC now has a team of six staff; all staff are in recovery themselves, and two have used NWRC services previously to support them on their recovery journey. Working and recruiting in this way has contributed to an democratic ethos amongst staff and clients, enabling them to work honestly and openly together, creating an environment in which people can overcome their addictions and rebuild their lives. Recently they have established Bwyd Dda, a café in Bangor, run entirely by the residents. They have also set up a food delivery service and run an allotment at Moel y Ci. Plans are underway to move to the buildings of the former Hillgrove School on Ffriddoedd Road as their tenancy at Penrhyn House runs out next April.
