Stigma is well known to people affected by drugs and alcohol. It creates barriers that marginalise and breed discrimination and prejudice. It causes exclusion, limits opportunities, and negatively impacts health and wellbeing. People who use substances know inequality well and the shame that accompanies reaching out for support in a stigmatising society. The marginalisation of people affected by drug and alcohol use is also perpetuated by the media and exploited by politicians for political gain. Yet, amidst the tranquil backdrop of green leafy spaces and lush vegetables carefully planted in neat rows lies a powerful antidote.
Phoenix’s Recovery Through Nature (RtN) programme brings people together to volunteer on a range of hands-on conservation and horticultural projects in natural spaces across the country. For many, the sense of community and belonging found on the programme stands in stark contrast to the othering experienced in wider society.
RtN offers participants fertile ground in which to nurture new narratives that disrupt and undermine the stereotypes that have often been internalised. The benefits of RtN reach far beyond the people taking part in the programme. The work that the participants do positively impacts the environment, local wildlife, ecosystems, and the communities that live, work, and visit the areas. Nestled among the vegetation, enveloped in the sounds of nature, the solidarity and social cohesion of the RtN community is almost palpable.
Since 1994 when RtN first began the concept of encouraging team-working in 'the outdoors', producing positive and tangible results has proved to be an extremely powerful therapeutic tool. The key to the success of RtN is in creating stigma-free, safe spaces that facilitate enjoyable and safe learning environments. The strength of the programme lies in its capacity to encourage genuine bonding and teamworking with peers, and positive change is bought about by people listening and sharing their stories and experiences and learning from and supporting one another. Peer-to-peer support is an integral part of positive change.
For the people taking part in RtN, drawing on their community through voluntary work can be seen as an act of resistance that helps to dismantle powerful and harmful narratives. When we talk about RtN and the people that take part we’re conscious not to inadvertently play into and reinforce the redemption narrative. It’s well understood some of the stigma people who use substances face is based on moral judgments. There is an implicit expectation of expressions of regret, apology and actions aimed at ‘redeeming’ and ‘giving back’ to the community. We want to be absolutely clear that RtN is not this. We know stigma is a complex issue, and so are the systems and policies that help to create and compound it. It’s not just a by-product of an unequal society – it’s orchestrated and used as a weapon to deliberately create division and political gain.
Stigma-free spaces where inclusion and empathy are the norm help us start to disarm the power of stigma politics and see them for what they are. Whilst a stigma-free society might seem like a distant goal, spaces like RtN help to make the vision more tangible, help us to have more hopeful conversations and support the reality of a society where everyone feels valued and accepted for who they are.
JACOB'S STORY
‘My first day of RtN was daunting – being around so many people felt quite overwhelming, and I had become used to being isolated. But, coming from such a low place mentally, feeling suicidal, depressed and ashamed, I was ready to try anything. I couldn’t talk to anyone about my using, and hiding it reinforced the shame and guilt I felt.
Through RtN I met people with similar experiences and that’s why the community aspect of it is so integral, because it works. This is one of the best things I’ve done. I’m surprised as initially I wasn’t sure if it was for me. I’ve learnt to love myself again and stop apologising for who I am. Rationalising and being myself is becoming more natural to me. I am not afraid of who I am anymore. Volunteering is a leveller, it transcends social and economic status – it’s like being a beacon of hope to others who feel excluded and isolated, and the people who usually get the most out of it are those who are resistant in the beginning.'
