I first encountered Rite to Freedom in 2018 when I was a participant on their autumn residential retreat. I have been in recovery from addiction for 20 years.

Very shortly after that I became a volunteer and have been part of the team delivering weekend retreats ever since. I have participated in mentoring days, attended residential staff training weekends, and supported events at Exeter Respect Festival that have included Rite to Freedom as well as other organisations and individuals that are working to provide wider community mental health resources through the arts. I joined the Community Council in 2022. I have also been voluntarily helping others find recovery from addiction through 12 Step programmes for 19 years.

My focus is to carry the message that recovery from trauma and addiction is possible and help others devise and develop their own practical tool kit to achieve and sustain this. The role of the Community Council is vital to the good health, evolution, and growth of the organisation through discussion and debate of new ideas, methods of delivery, and any difficult issues. It supports the personal development of individual members, cultivates a strong team, promotes the development of the organisation as a whole, and the effectiveness of our work.