The Recovery Academy is run by the O’Connor Gateway Trust, a local charity that works in close partnership with the BAC O’Connor Centre in Burton.

Academy students, who are at the end of their treatment for substance misuse, often come from chaotic backgrounds. They spend four weeks in the Recovery Academy following their 12-week residential rehabilitation programme.

Funding Needs

The students love to spend time in our Beresford Community Garden, in Horninglow, maintaining the land for the benefit of the community. They also praise the garden for its therapeutic effects. 

Some gardening tools they used to improve the land and nurture the vegetable patch were a little old and needed replacing. Replacement equipment would enable the academy to continue supporting students in their journey to rehabilitation.

Graham Mitchell, Recovery Academy Coach, contacted our Community Engagement team to seek funding for new equipment, such as a lawnmower, spades, hoes, and more.

Grant Awarded

The Recovery Academy successfully secured £1,000 in funding from the Community Grant initiative, which recognised the group's importance to the community.

The grant not only replaced old equipment in a garden, which benefits an entire community, but it also allows the academy to continue providing this important and therapeutic service for its students.

The Recovery Academy exemplifies the power of grassroots initiatives in supporting the rehabilitation of adults and nurturing their journey to recovery and fulfilment.

Through the assistance of a Trent & Dove Community Grant, the Academy can continue its invaluable work, providing a nurturing community space for families and individuals to enjoy.

Our community gardens – Beresford Gardens and Masefield Crescent, form part of our Kingfisher Project.

This project, based in Horninglow along the side of the Horninglow Channel, aims to improve the environment through enhancement and educational activities accessible to all community members.