There was much excitement at our Hillingdon Addictions Recovery Community (ARCH) as the team launched a poetry anthology created by service users and staff. The anthology not only showcases the creativity of those involved, but also celebrates the central theme of recovery that runs throughout the collection.

Inspired by the weekly creative writing group at ARCH and a shared belief that the creative arts can play an important role in supporting recovery, Dr Rahul Mehta and Dr Urbah Viqar, Resident Doctors, together with Finola Sullivan, Peer Support Manager, began collating poems written by service users across Hillingdon and Hounslow, alongside contributions from staff.

The anthology was officially launched at a special event held at ARCH, where service users and staff came together to hear a selection of the poems and reflect on this significant achievement.

Celebrating the initiative, Dr Jeff Fehler, ARCH Consultant and Clinical Director of CNWL Addictions, said:

"It is because of the central role that our service users occupy in our services that we are able to co-produce such artistic and creative work. We left the launch event feeling inspired by poetry describing very personal journeys to recovery."

The anthology highlights the importance of co-production and the role creativity can play in supporting wellbeing and recovery. By bringing together the experiences, reflections and talents of both service users and staff, the collection offers a powerful insight into personal journeys of change, hope and resilience.

The launch provided an opportunity to celebrate not only the finished anthology, but also the supportive community that helped bring it to life, demonstrating how creative expression can help people connect, reflect and share their experiences of recovery.