The countdown is on for the National Recovery Walk 2025, with Wolverhampton hosting the event for the very first time.
Taking place at West Park on Saturday 13 September from 12pm to 5pm, it promises a vibrant, family friendly day filled with live entertainment, community stalls, and a powerful show of solidarity for those on the journey of recovery. Entry is free and all are welcome.
Each year a different city or town is selected to host the National Recovery Walk, which includes a public march and a celebratory Recovery Village. The event is endorsed by Faces and Voices of Recovery UK (FAVOR UK), which advocates for and empowers people with living and lived experience of alcohol and drugs.
Wolverhampton’s successful bid was led by the Good Shepherd and Wolverhampton Voluntary and Community Action’s Service User Involvement Team (SUIT), in partnership with the City of Wolverhampton Council and Recovery Near You.
Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Craig Collingswood said: “We are immensely proud to be the host city for the National Recovery Walk 2025, and we are determined to deliver a brilliant event which will live long in the memory of all of those who take part.
“It provides an opportunity for people and partners across Wolverhampton to showcase our city’s commitment to promoting health and wellbeing, and to supporting those on their recovery journey.
“We very much look forward to welcoming people to our vibrant city, and for us all to come together, as one, to celebrate recovery, resilience and hope, with our families, friends, and the wider community.”
Chris Cole, Service Manager at Good Shepherd, was one of the team who led the bid to host the Recovery Walk in Wolverhampton and added: “Both personally and professionally, I know of our local recovery success stories, the great work carried out by our recovery community, and the inspiring lived experience advocates of the city.
“This is our chance to show the rest of the country what recovery means to us and how it’s helping to inspire change and develop statutory and voluntary organisations. I hope that by raising awareness locally it will help us to reach those that are yet to be reached and at the very least to plant a seed that recovery is possible and they are not alone.”
A 2 mile walk starts at 12pm from the Recovery Village in West Park, taking in landmarks including Molineux Stadium and the city centre. A shorter, 1 mile route starts at 12.15pm from St Peter’s Collegiate Church for those who prefer a gentler walk.
The Recovery Village will be open from 1pm to 5pm with family friendly fun activities, live entertainment, art exhibitions and workshops, mutual aid meetings, community stalls, and food.
To find out more please visit National Recovery Walk 2025.
Please note that a number of roads around the city centre will be closed from 11am until approximately 2pm on the day of the walk, including Lichfield Street, Lich Gates, Stafford Street, Park Road East, Cheapside, Waterloo Road, Newhampton Road East, Southgate, St Peter’s Square, Park Avenue, North Road, Summerfield Road and Jack Hayward Way. For full details, please visit Causeway one.network