We are the Road to Recovery Trust, the charity behind Newcastles only recovery cafe, George Street Social and we are at risk of imminent closure.

The Trust provides safe spaces and a supportive community for people in recovery from all kinds of addictions, and works relentlessly to tackle the stigma that many vulnerable people face when struggling with addiction.

Addiction is a devastating mental health problem that, due to stigma in society, causes many people to suffer in silence. Perhaps due to this stigma, funding is also in short supply, and many drug and alcohol services have been wiped out over the years due to budget cuts.

As funding has dropped, deaths have increased, and in 2019, the North East reported its highest ever drug and alcohol mortality rate. We need to end the stigma now and fight for those of us who struggle be it our friends, family, neighbours, colleagues or strangers who might be struggling in isolation.

We MUST keep our doors open.