Start Hartlepool

09/12/2025

Did you know Start along with our friends at Recovery Connections host regular events in Hartlepool to bring together the recovery community on a weekly basis?

From walking, to relapse prevention, to mindfulness there's a range of events that those going through recovery can access.

Events are either based at Start, Recovery Connections, or an alternate venue which is listed on the attached image.

Join the recovery community here in Hartlepool and take part in these fantastic events, designed for those in recovery.

08/12/2025

👋 Meet Russ, one of our fantastic colleagues at Start, Drug and Alcohol Support Service!

Russ plays a vital role in keeping our community safe and informed. His work includes:
✅ Building strong relationships with GPs, A&E staff, and local services to improve health and wellbeing.
✅ Delivering harm minimisation through needle exchange, wound care packs, BBV testing, and Naloxone kits with training.
✅ Visiting hospitals and outreach locations every week to support those at risk and provide life-saving advice.

Russ says: "You can’t recover if you’re dead. My job is about education, support, and knocking down the doors of ignorance. Everyone deserves a chance to recover because we’re all human beings."

If you or someone you know needs help, Start is here for you.

Find out more at: Starthartlepool.co.uk

06/12/2025

Start Hartlepool is here for the young people of Hartlepool.

Addiction can affect anyone, even young people

But you don’t have to face it alone. Start is here to help you take control and begin your journey toward a healthier, brighter future.

✅ Free, confidential support
✅ Friendly team who understands
✅ No judgment, just help

Get in touch and we can help you on your recovery journey.

Starthartlepool.co.uk

05/12/2025

📢 The November Edition of the Start Newsletter is Here!

Our final newsletter ofr 2025 is here and it's covering everything from September to November!

This issue is packed with updates, success stories, and highlights from National Recovery Month as well as introducing you to some of our team members.

04/12/2025

You may have seen the Recovery Connection free coffee bike around our town, offering free coffee in exchange for a chat about recovery and addiction.

Well as the weather starts to get colder you'll also be able to get some free hot soup as wel!

Every Monday and Friday 10am - 12pm at the War Memorial at Victoria Road, the team will be there to provide some free coffee and soup for a chat about addiction and recovery.

☕Free coffee and soup
📅Monday and Friday
⏰10am - 12pm

04/12/2025

“They just need to try harder.”

This is one of the most harmful myths about addiction. Substance misuse is complex and it affects mental health, physical health, and family life. It’s not about willpower; it’s about support.

Start offers a safe space for young people and families to talk, learn, and take steps toward recovery. Together, we can break the cycle, and the stigma.

👉 Find out more: Starthartlepool.co.uk

03/12/2025

Start Recovery Christmas Party 🎄🎁

Celebrate the festive period with music, fun, and community at Hartlepool Art Gallery.

📅 Tuesday 9th December
🕕 6pm – 9pm
📍 Hartlepool Art Gallery, Church Square, TS24 7EQ

Enjoy:
✨ Live Christmas music from N.U.T.S
🍴 Delicious food
❓ Quiz
🎵 Rock & Roll Bingo
🎁 Raffles

This event is all about connection, celebration, and recovery. Don’t miss out!

To find out more contact Billy.Knight@Hartlepool.gov.uk

03/12/2025

Addiction is not a choice, it’s a health condition. 💛

Stigma often stops people from seeking the help they need. When we judge, we isolate. When we support, we empower.

At Start, we provide free, confidential support for people in Hartlepool who are struggling with drugs or alcohol. Recovery is possible, and it begins with compassion.

💬 Learn more or reach out today at Starthartlepool.co.uk

02/12/2025

🎨 Creativity meets community at Wintertide Festival!

Members of Start, Recovery Connections, and the wider recovery community teamed up with local artists Maureen Hanley, Michelle Garnett, and Sam Williams (our amazing volunteer and art group facilitator) to create something truly special.

Over the past few weeks, sessions at Hartlepool Art Gallery, Community Allotments, and Thirteen Group’s Cowpen Bewley building brought this vision to life…

The result? An 8-foot illuminated lobster pot, celebrating Hartlepool’s rich fishing heritage and this year’s Wintertide theme: Constellations.

A huge thank you to everyone involved, the Wintertide team, our partners, and of course the talented artists and volunteers who made this happen. 💙

25/11/2025

🔨Start building update from Cllr Gary Allen 🔨

Earlier this year work began on the new home of Hartlepool's drug and alcohol support service Start Hartlepool funded by Hartlepool Borough Council

We're now nearing completion of the build which is located on the site of Start's previous home on Whitby Street.

The new building will allow staff to continue giving top quality care and support to residents of Hartlepool and will feature 18 consultation/clinical rooms, a waiting area, meeting rooms and office space.

We expect to start welcoming patients to the new building in early 2026, so stay posted for more updates in the coming weeks!

22/11/2025

📢📱Download the Breaking Free App today 📱📢

Breaking Free is a CONFIDENTIAL online program that can support you to cut down your drinking or substance use, or to quit for good!

The app contains the full clinical content, behaviour change strategies and functionality of Breaking Free Online programme, including the voiceover to support and engage people with low literacy, and also integrates the geofencing for relapse prevention and alert notification capabilities of the current Companion App.

https://youtu.be/r8vHtW_65dk

This comprehensive Toolkit contains all the resources your organization needs to operationalize the solution and utilize it in the most effective ways.

21/11/2025

Did you know Start can offer drug or alcohol support to young people as well?

We offer free, confidential support for any young person currently struggling with alcohol or drug use.

We can support you with:

🏠Housing
💵Finances
🧠Mental Health
📚Eduction and more

Get in touch by visiting starthartlepool.co.uk