The People's Recovery Project Fundraiser

I'm running the Hackney Half Marathon on May 18th to raise funds for an incredible charity called The People’s Recovery Project - an organisation working to make recovery achievable and sustainable for those facing homelessness and addiction, which are inextricably linked and without addressing both neither will be resolved.

Why this matters:

Life is unimaginably tough for those experiencing homelessness and addiction. Addiction is a complex illness — not a choice — often rooted in trauma, mental health struggles, and social isolation. Problematic drug use can both cause and result from homelessness, creating a cycle that's hard to break. Without a place to call home, stability is nearly impossible to achieve. For people using drugs or alcohol, accessing and sustaining accommodation while managing life’s complexities becomes increasingly challenging.

Without solutions that view these issues holistically — addressing addiction, housing, and mental health together — it’s difficult to resolve any of them effectively.

The scale of the crisis is stark:

• In 2022/23, nearly half of all deaths among people experiencing homelessness in the UK were related to drugs and alcohol.
• Over 1,300 people in the UK died whilst experiencing homelessness in 2022 — an 85% increase since 2019.
• Two-thirds of people experiencing street homelessness have a drug or alcohol need.
• More than 10,000 people were verified as sleeping rough on the streets of London in 2022 — a 21% increase from the previous year.

The People’s Recovery Project:

The People’s Recovery Project is building a compassionate, community-driven approach that helps people access life-saving treatment, supports their recovery journey, and empowers them to break free from reliance on crisis services — benefiting not only the individuals receiving support but also the wider community.

How they deliver this in practice:

• Preparation: Peer-led recovery support to help people prepare for treatment.
• Treatment: Curation and coordination of specialist pathways into residential detox and rehab.
• Aftercare: A bespoke recovery community focused on building connection, purpose, and belonging.
• Evidence: Robust evaluation of data to demonstrate the effectiveness of their approach.

Why your donation matters:

As a small organisation, their overheads are low — meaning the vast majority of your donation goes directly towards funding treatment costs. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps build the infrastructure needed to unite their community and amplify the voices of those too often unheard.

For a long time, I was set on dedicating my career to researching addiction and harm reduction — a highly stigmatised illness that affects so many and remains deeply misunderstood. While my work has shifted more towards depression for now, this cause remains close to my heart and it would mean the world to me if you could help me to still make a difference by supporting this charity.

There’s absolutely no pressure to give, but if you're able to donate — even a small amount — it truly adds up and could help someone access the care and community they need to build a new life.

To learn more about their work, you can visit their website: https://www.thepeoplesrecoveryproject.org/
Or follow their journey on Instagram: @thepeoplesrecoveryproject

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! 💛