Trick or treat spooktacular stall set out by Downshire Recovery Shed at the Downe Hospital
Visitors and patients to the Downe Hospital had a ‘spooky’ welcome from members of the Downshire Hospital’s Recovery Shed as Halloween themed arts and crafts, made by its members, were on display.
Born in April 2023, the Recovery Shed welcomes men and women of all ages living with addictions.
The Recovery Shed offers a safe place for service users to come together to share and learn new skills and connect with others, empowering them on their journey to recovery.
Service user Emma Holland explained how the Recovery Shed was established to help people affected by addiction.
She said: “For those who suffer from addiction, it is a way to keep their mind off that addiction. These activities, building, painting, keep your mind busy.”
“We decided as a way to raise funds for the Shed, was to make Halloween-themed items to sell to the public so that we can buy more materials to keep us all focused.
“It’s good to be surrounded by like-minded people. It’s a way of building up friendships,” said Emma (Holland).
Emma Lynch has been a member of the Recovery Shed since March. She said: “I was a patient in Ward 15 and joined the Recovery Shed.
“Before my recovery, I was a person with no routine, no structure whatsoever.
“I have met similar people since joining the Shed and like Emma mentioned, it is good to meet up with people who are also going through addiction. It’s very helpful.”
Emma Lynch credited her time spent in Ward 15 and starting with the Recovery Shed as a way to “boost my confidence.”
