Aberdeenshire Community Recovery
If you are in need of urgent support you can access the these services during a crisis.
If there is an immediate risk to life,
Call 999 or Police Scotland on 101
ARIES on 07584 217210
Need Urgent Help?
For more general concerns:
Alcohol & Drugs Action (ADA) on 0333 3 448 355
Step In Centre Banff on 07721 801438 or stepinbanffsu@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Step In Centre Peterhead on 07879 702368 or peterheadstepinsu@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Step In Centre Fraserburgh on 07721 363336 or stepinbrochsu@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Step In Centre Stonehaven on 07826 270662 or stepincands@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Step In Centre Inverurie on 07826 270662 or stepincands@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
We are here to support individuals and groups
Aberdeenshire Community Recovery offer confidential, non-judgemental and trauma-informed support which is free and open to all.
We are a community-based, Lived Experience Recovery Organisation, founded and managed by members of the Aberdeenshire community who have their own direct experience of alcohol and drug-related harms and the impact these have on families, friends and local communities.
We provide support, advice and the sense of community we believe is vital to sustained recovery. We are not a treatment service but can signpost you to other services more capable of crisis response or treatment when needed.
For more details of the location and times of groups, follow the ALISS link here.
If you, or someone you care for, are in immediate crisis, please contact one of the crisis services listed above in the first instance.
Self Referral
No referral is required to contact us and connect with support. Our support is free, confdential and non-judgemental.
We all start on our recovery journey somewhere and often need different types of support as that journey progresses.
We welcome referrals from other agencies and from the wider community but simply drop in or drop us a line using the contact option on this page to begin a connection.
Aberdeenshire Wellbeing Hub
Recovery Community groups operate across Aberdeenshire. Our headquarters at the Aberdeenshire Wellbeing Hub located in Huntly provide a focus for our team and for many community-wide activities.
Support Groups in the Community
“Somewhere to be, something to eat, something to do, someone to love.”
Community Cafes and Drop-Ins are a vital part of community peer support. Aberdeenshire Community Recovery support a programme of Community Cafe’s currently in Huntly and Stonehaven.
These drop-in venues offer anyone feeling socially isolated or in need of peer-support for substance or mental health conditions to drop in, enjoy a chat, a cup of something and a bite to eat.
Community Cafes provide connection, acceptance, support and a sense of identity.
These regular events often also incorporate craft activities, information sessions or other engaging group activities…but mostly folk come for good craic in a safe, non-judgemental and trauma-informed environment.
Follow this link for meetings near you or contact us via the link below.
All cafes are free and no formal referral is required but do get in touch if you’d like someone to buddy you in the group for your first visit.
To learn more about where and when our current groups meet, follow the link. [Learn More]
To get involved, contact us using the link below. [Contact Us]
Family members have their own recovery journeys, struggling to support their loved ones and find meaning and support in their own lives.
Aberdeenshire Community Recovery supports a number of dedicated Family Support Groups in Aberdeenshire.
Garioch Family Support Group is a long-established group meeting regularly in Abereenshire.
ERICs, based in Huntly, was established by one of our Trustees, Lindsey Tait, in 2024 following the loss of a loved one.
Follow this link to learn more or contact us via the link at the foot of this page.
No referral is required but let us know if you would like someone to buddy you on your first visit.
Training
Working with recognised partners, Aberdeenshire Community Recovery organise a programme of training events and courses on an annual basis.
These courses enable community members to build the personal confidence, practical and social skills and self-awareness to support and empower recovery.
Tools for personal empowerment for those affected by substance use : regular training for individuals, peer supporters and potential group facilitators including SMART, DART and Rights in Recovery Training.
Tools for facilitating and hosting local groups: hosting local groups comes with responsibilities and obligations requiring skills – and sometimes accreditation. Aberdeenshire Community Recovery support local groups and individual activists by organising regular training in practical skills required to run groups including food hygiene, first aid and facilitation. Check the links below to find out more about current and planned training opportunities.
“I really enjoyed the course, I would recommend it to all, the pace and trainer were just right”
DART Self-Coaching in Recovery is a course developed by our partner ADA and delivered over six sessions. DART provides an opportunity to explore ourselves, understand how we think and behave, and discover what makes us tick.
DART was created by people in recovery, for people in recovery, drawing on real-life experiences to bring the self-coaching model to life. Through open, honest and supportive shared discussions, we explore our experiences, learn from one another, and develop a deeper understanding of ourselves.
Throughout the course, we explore a wide variety of topics that can help us understand where we are in our recovery and what might support us moving forward. These include the stages of change, recovery capital, resilience and self-talk, alongside many other areas that influence how we think, feel and respond to life.
We share what these topics mean to each of us and consider how they relate to our own experiences. We also look at what can happen when we begin to feel “stuck” in our recovery, exploring ways to recognise what may be holding us back and how we can begin to move forward again.
DART is not about being told what to do and how to do it. It is about exploring, sharing and learning together. By listening to different perspectives and reflecting on our own experiences, we can develop greater self-awareness, recognise our strengths and discover new ways of supporting our recovery.
Ultimately, DART is about understanding ourselves, learning how we tick, and using that understanding to help us move forward in recovery.
So far, Aberdeenshire Community Recovery has had the pleasure of delivering this fantastic course in Stonehaven, Huntly, Banchory and Rae House in Alford.
It has been fantastic to bring DART Self-Coaching in Recovery into different communities across Aberdeenshire and create spaces where people can come together, share their experiences and learn more about themselves and their recovery journey.
Watch this space to see where we will be heading next!!
To learn more about scheduled training events, follow the link. [Learn More]
To get involved, contact us using the link below. [Contact Us]
Aberdeenshire Community Recovery organise regular SMART Recovery Facilitator Certificate training in the region.
As stated in SMART UK Recovery’s website:
“The SMART Recovery Facilitator Training Certificate is designed to provide you with the necessary knowledge of SMART Recovery and its 4-Point Programme for you to proceed capably, comfortably (and authoritatively) in your role as a SMART Recovery meeting Facilitator.”
It is a requirement of all Facilitators before they start to facilitate a SMART Recovery or Family & Friends Meeting.
The estimated time to complete: 10 hours
Aberdeenshire Community Recovery will be scheduling further training within the next few months. To remail informed, p[lease contact us using the link at the bottom of this page.
Why not volunteer?
Our Development Officers also offer mentoring to local volunteers and regular networking opportunities to enable us to learn from each other and share learning. Volunteering with ACR provides further opportunities to develop skills, self confidence and connection. [Learn More]
Events
Aberdeenshire Community Recovery host a programme of seasonal events celebrating community and recovery. These events enable individuals, families and friends to come together in safe, substance-free, non-judgemental spaces to meet, make of renew connections and share positive experiences.
Our programme of events includes seasonal events such as family Halloween and Christmas parties, our summer outdoor Fun Days and special events and programmes such as this year’s Creative in the Shire week, held in collaboration with community members visiting from Inverclyde.
To learn more about our current events programme, follow the link. [Learn More]
To get involved, contact us using the link below. [Contact Us]
Aberdeenshire Wellbeing Hub
Aberdeenshire Community Recovery support local recovery groups and activities across rural Aberdeenshire from our headquarters at the Aberdeenshire Wellbeing Hub in Huntly.
Located in the Huntly Business Centre on Duke Street, the Hub provides meeting spaces for up to 60 participants with kitchen facilities and access to relevant information and advice. [Learn More]
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. Contact us or drop in to one of our community cafes anytime..
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Our support is free.
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No. All information is treated in strictes confidence.
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You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.
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A Lived Experience Recovery Organisation’ (LERO), involves peer workers working directly with existing services to provide peer support to people within those services. This offers benefits to people receiving the support and to those offering the support through professional development and increasing skills.
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No. Aberdeenshire Community Recovery is here to support you or your loved ones wherever they are on their recovery journey.
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We are not a treatment service sbut can provide support and sign[osting to help address mental health issues you may be experiencing.
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Contact us. We always welcome support and active participation in our work.
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Contact us using the links on this site. We exist to support individuals and their families andhave a number of support groups specifically for families affected by subtsnace-use issues.
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Recovery is a process of ‘voluntarily sustained control over substance use which maximises health and wellbeing and participation in the rights, roles and responsibilities of society’ (UK Drug Policy Commission, 2008, p.6)
Although our focus is on recovery from substance use, these issues are highly correlated with mental and physical health issues for individuals, their families and their community.
The science supporting the efficacy of peer-led recovery is well established .
• Recovery emerges from hope and gratitude;
• Recovery involves a process of healing and self-redefinition;
• Recovery involves addressing discrimination and transcending shame and stigma;
• Recovery is supported by peers and allies;
• Recovery involves rejoining and rebuilding a life in the community
Still have questions? Reach out anytime.