ARC Fitness - Addiction Recovery Coaching

Aim: ARC Fitness aims to promote recovery and build a supportive community, helping people achieve healthier, more active and hope filled lives.

ARC is a community based not-for-profit addiction recovery organisation based in Derry / L’Derry. It was established in 2019 to tackle a growing substance abuse epidemic which has engulfed the North West of Ireland. ARC promotes an abstinence-based approach to recovery through access to physical activity, professional support, and re-connection with community. 

ARC is led by people with lived experience of substance use and addiction as well as mental health professionals and accredited therapists. To date ARC Fitness has supported over 7,305 people to improve their health and knowledge based around substance use and mental health well-being. ARC have supported over 400 individuals through our specific addiction recovery and family support programme interventions.  

Over the years our team has continued to grow and develop, all of the staff and volunteers involved are committed to promoting positive mental health and tackling the substance abuse pandemic that is affecting our local community.

ARC provides:

•            1-1 and group Recovery coaching

•            8 weekAddiction Recovery Groups

•            6 week Family Support Groups

•            Individual self-study and reflection resources

•            Structured programme of physical activities

•            Social activities for a community of peers and their families

•            Access to an on-line personal accountability and peer support platform

•            Access to CBT therapy where individuals can feel both safe, connected and supported.

•            Large scale and invitational community outreach events

Induction into the ARC community begins with assessment and support involving group or one-to-one therapy and physical activities combined with recovery coaching by trained facilitators.  We also signpost people to local addiction and mental health resources, support services and fitness providers, as appropriate. Individuals then join the larger recovering community who meet regularly for training community social evenings and charitable events.

ARC is seeking funding to deliver our ongoing addiction recovery support projects. The project will have 3 pillars; Individual 1-1 Support; Group; and the ongoing creation of a sober physical activity community.

Our approach is informed by the proven and successful track record of ARC’s experience and professionalism as well as research into similar interventions across the UK. Underpinned with expertise in the field of addiction, recovery, and trauma the proposal builds upon lived experience and peer support to provide support-based interventions and life-style change.

The project’s objectives include:

• Improved mood
• Reduced anxiety
• Reduced substance use relapse rates,
• Increasing participants’ overall quality of life
• Empowering individuals to regain control over their lives.

By providing continuous, individualised support, we aim to foster resilience, enhance self-efficacy, and ultimately enable participants to achieve long-term recovery.

Don't just take our word for it:

“I was suicidal when I came to ARC, I can’t believe I want to go back to work. Exercise is for me.”

“The sense of community in the group is amazing, being with likeminded people provided a safe place to train. Also Gary is an incredible person who was always there for support, a chat and also any help.”

“Extremely effective, definitely found all aspects of my life improving from joining ARC and strengthened my recovery greatly.”

“My mood has improved and anxiety levels are better... the programme definitely gave me a mindful environment to let these go! With the training my motivation has improved as my energy levels have improved.”

“Life changing. The group really took me in under their wing and I feel like we’re great friends. We can talk about cravings or struggles and not feel judged. Gaz was always very supportive. It’s just been amazing.”

“Amazing positive and encouraging and overall my mental health and my outlook on life has totally changed.”

“The support I got from the group definitely got me through some of the toughest days I’ve experienced since being sober.”

“Before I started the programme I had cravings every couple each day. It has lessened so much since I started that I can’t remember the last time I craved.”

To see and find out more, check out: www.arcfitness.uk

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 11th September 2025 at 10:17am