A pioneering recovery programme in Wolverhampton is helping people struggling with addiction to make the difficult transition from treatment back into everyday life.
The RISE Day Hab programme, co-facilitated by SUIT and Recovery Near You and supported by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health team, helps individuals to achieve long term recovery within their own communities.
For many people recovering from drug or alcohol dependency, the period after detoxification, structured treatment or residential rehabilitation is one of the most challenging points in their recovery journey. The structure and support available during treatment can suddenly reduce, leaving individuals facing the realities of everyday life without the routine, relationships or confidence needed to sustain recovery.
RISE was commissioned by the council as a community based alternative and complement to residential rehabilitation, while also providing vital aftercare support for those leaving treatment.
The programme was designed to extend access to structured recovery support to a greater number of people, ensuring that individuals can continue to build on the progress made during treatment and maintain their recovery in the community.
Working in partnership with Recovery Near You, Wolverhampton’s drug and alcohol treatment provider, SUIT, the city’s lived experience recovery organisation, created a programme that combines professional therapeutic support with lived experience expertise.
It is designed for people who need more support than occasional appointments or activity groups can offer, but who do not need or want to attend residential rehabilitation. Participants attend 4 days a week, helping them build routine and stability while staying connected to family, friends and everyday life.
The programme combines professional support with guidance from people who have their own lived experience of recovery. Participants explore topics such as addiction, recovery, guilt and shame, responsibility, relationships and boundaries, and aftercare, while developing life skills, confidence and supportive social networks.
Creative activities, peer support and community engagement are at the heart of the programme, helping participants build the relationships, skills and opportunities needed to support long term recovery.
And the support available through RISE extends beyond the initial 8 weeks through wider recovery and support pathways, helping participants continue their progress and maintain positive momentum.
Since October 2025, 5 cohorts have completed the 8 week programme. One participant described leaving rehabilitation with “no direction”, and that accessing support through SUIT helped them regain focus and purpose. Others spoke about feeling less isolated, becoming more comfortable being open about their experiences, and learning practical ways to manage life differently while building relationships with others.
Warren Sutherland, SUIT’s RISE Co-Ordinator, said: “For SUIT and Recovery Near You, the ambition for RISE is simple – to ensure recovery does not stop when treatment ends.
“We’ve now seen 5 groups successfully complete the programme, with people starting to forge wholesome recovery based peer supportive relationships, showing just how valuable this kind of intensive, community based recovery support can be.
“Indeed, we now have 4 RISE graduates that help the day to day running of the programme – living proof to any new clients that recovery is possible.”
Senior Practitioner James Trevitt said: “One of the real strengths of RISE is that people are working on their recovery while still living their everyday lives, facing the same relationships, pressures and challenges that will be there when the programme finishes.
“Over 8 weeks we see people begin to understand their addiction differently, develop practical psychological and recovery tools, build confidence and often rediscover parts of themselves that have been lost through addiction.
“But just as importantly, they build genuine connections with other people. Seeing people arrive anxious and uncertain and then leave with hope, friendships, greater self belief and a clear plan for moving forward is what makes RISE so powerful.”
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, added: “Recovery does not end when treatment finishes, and programmes like RISE play a vital role in helping people rebuild their lives.
“By providing structure, support and connections within the community, RISE is helping people develop the confidence and resilience they need to achieve lasting recovery.
“We are proud to support this innovative partnership between SUIT and Recovery Near You, which is making a real difference across Wolverhampton.”