Connections to recovery

Quarriers Arrows Service works with adults and families affected by substance use. Connection is key.

Based in the centre of Elgin, Arrows offers one-to-one support, talking therapy and harm reduction advice for anyone worried about drug and alcohol use.

The service is focused on providing people with access to something Service Manager Justin Jansen calls recovery capital. “What that means,” says Justin, “is the sum total of resources a person can access to sustain their recovery. Substances affect someone four ways – physically, mentally, emotionally and morally (or spiritually). For Arrows to be successful, we’ve got to help people fix things in those four areas. Family, relationships, having something to do in the day, health and fitness, employability. All of these things become part of the recovery capital journey.”

The journey into and out of addiction is something Justin understands because he himself has been in recovery for 12 years.

“My parents used substances, and I was brought up around it,” he says.

“Addicts take drugs and alcohol because we’ve been through a lot of pain and what I call dis-ease. We’re not at ease with the world or ourselves. Drugs and alcohol bring about a certain amount of ease, and to find ease in other ways isn’t the easiest journey. Having a supportive community of people around is really imperative to people’s recovery.”

Arrows offers up to 20 support groups every week, including Alcoholics Anonymous, music groups, art therapy and acupuncture – all focused on helping people to make connections and break down stigma.

“I don’t think the stigma that society puts on substance users is as bad as the stigma that substance users put on themselves,” Justin says. “A lot of us would not speak to other people the way we speak to ourselves. So that leads to isolation. The service is focused on ‘What can we provide that allows a person to connect –which in turn allows them to grow in self-esteem, self-worth, self-belief’.”

One place where people supported by Arrows are coming together and building connections is on the football pitch.

Active Recovery Moray is a weekly football session run by Arrows in partnership with Elgin Sports Community Trust, Moray Community Sports Hub and Police Scotland.

“The idea came from a discussion with Police Scotland about giving people something positive to do that would improve mental health and help reduce re-offending,” says Justin.

“There are so many benefits to these sessions. We’ve found the discussions after the games between support workers and the people they support seem to be much deeper than they would be in just doing an assessment. Everyone’s physical fitness is much improved, which in itself is great recovery capital.”

The sessions are open to anyone who wants to come along. “We’ve opened it up to the whole community and a lot of that is also just to tear down that stigma. We’re saying ‘Come play football with the guys – there’s gonna be some substance users there and you’ll see that they’re normal people’.”

A whole mix of regulars attend, including members of Police Scotland, the Arrows team, people supported by Arrows, and anyone who feels that a game of football would help their mental health.

Participants reported a 37% increase in their mental wellbeing after six weeks of football sessions.

19-year-old Connor comes often and says “After Covid, I’d been dealing with depression for about 18 months.

“I enjoy coming down to the games. I can come and talk to guys who understand it without feeling ashamed. I’ve had conversations with other guys here that have helped me to open up.”

Johnny is another participant who has gone from strength to strength and is now volunteering as a coach and facilitator.

“When the team at Arrows suggested a game of football I was like ‘OK, I’ll come down’ and I never really thought much of it,” says Johnny. “But I’ve just flourished. Now I’m organising things and I feel like I’m doing a cracking job.

“For me personally – I’ve got ADHD –it means I put my phone down for a couple of hours. When you’re playing football it’s just you and the football and your team mates. After the game, it changes your mood.

“These guys love it – every week they can’t wait to come down and kick the ball and release emotion in a positive way. Some people here have gone through a lot of trauma, loss, trying to get off the drugs and alcohol, financial worries. I see a massive difference in folk – more of a brightness in people.”

Pop in: 23 High Street, Elgin

Tel: 01343 610 500

Text: 07812 228547

Email: arrows@quarriers.org.uk