Celebrating Recovery: A Look Inside Our Worthing-Based Recovery Project
November 2025
At Turning Tides, Recovery is not just a goal. It is a journey taken together, rooted in compassion, safety and long-term support. Our Recovery Project in Worthing, West Sussex, is a vital residential service for people experiencing homelessness and addiction. For many who come through our doors, the project is a place of stability and reconnection. It is where Recovery becomes achievable and sustainable. On 30th September, the Recovery Project held a celebration of recovery with an Open Day, marking the resilience and community built by the residents, staff and volunteers.
A Person-Centred Approach to Recovery
The Recovery Project offers trauma-informed, person-centred support for individuals experiencing homelessness and are committed to recovering from addiction. Unlike short-term or one-size-fits-all programmes, this service is designed to be long-term, stable and empowering. Every resident receives tailored support that respects their experiences and individual pace needed for a successful recovery journey.
Access to counselling, emotional support and practical help are combined to make an individualised trauma-inform care plan. This could include a keyworker attending appointments, sign posting to practical support for managing their finances, or support with completing forms; these tasks are all core activities that underpin of the journey out of addiction and homelessness. The project offers a range of Recovery models. Residents can explore different approaches, not just the traditional 12-step pathway, to discover what works best for them.
This flexibility and respect for individual Recovery styles is one of the reasons the Recovery Project has become such a transformative programme across West Sussex.
A Unique, Managed Alcohol Withdrawal Programme
One of the most distinctive, life-saving services provided at the Recovery Project is our Managed Alcohol Withdrawal programme. For people who are alcohol-dependent, suddenly stopping drinking can be dangerous and potentially fatal. Most detox programmes rely on medication and clinical settings, which can feel daunting or inaccessible with limited flexibility.
Our nurse-led Managed Alcohol Withdrawal programme offers a safe, structured and compassionate alternative. Residents receive a personalised alcohol-reduction plan that carefully lowers intake at a pace that protects their physical health while supporting their emotional wellbeing. This approach allows clients to engage with the Recovery process in a calm, residential setting supported by skilled staff who understand the complexities of addiction. This service has created opportunities for long-term change that can often feel out of reach through conventional pathways.
Celebrating Recovery and Community: Our 2025 Open Day
On 30th September 2025, the Recovery Project opened its doors for a Celebration of Recovery; it was an uplifting event filled with pride, creativity, and community spirit. Current and former clients came together with their friends and families, Turning Tides staff, volunteers, and partner agencies including NHS colleagues.
The day displayed residents’ artwork, recognised fundraising achievements and celebrated personal milestones. Each a powerful testament to their commitment to Recovery.
Debbie, 
our Recovery Group Work Co-Ordinator, heart-felt words described the event beautifully:
“The Recovery Project Open Day was a showcase for our clients to celebrate their recovery and achievements.
The Open Day was very relaxed with volunteers, Turning Tides services and agencies including the NHS invited. This was a place where we shared their artwork, fundraising achievements and information about the services we provide.
Food was enjoyed by all, which was prepared by the clients and assisted by Versha, our volunteer nutritionist. All the services that were invited enjoyed the positivity around recovery and the transformation of clients who are now productive, confident and working on creating a life worth living.”
It was good to collectively see the hope and inspiration the clients have achieved by supporting each other in their community.
This was a day where staff, services, volunteers and clients came together to acknowledge the work and dedication that is put into one of the main solutions to preventing homelessness. The Recovery Project empowers clients to stop the cycle of addiction, which can then lead to independent living and purpose.”
Recovery Leads to Hope, Stability & Independence
At Turning Tides, we know that recovery is a key part of ending homelessness. The Recovery Project isn’t just about stopping addiction; it’s about building a life worth living. Recovery can lead to independent living and a future for many of our residents who may have previously struggled with finding a path forward.
By supporting people through managed substance reduction, therapy, community building activities and aftercare, we give our residents the tools to keep well, remain connected and stay on track. We provide a long-term model, because we know relapse, setbacks and trauma are part of countless people’s stories. That’s why we stay with our residents, week after week, offering support that’s rooted in compassion.
Together, We Build Lives Worth Living
Recovery is possible. Every day at Turning Tides’ Recovery Project, we see individuals rediscover their strengths and create new futures. The Celebration of Recovery Open Day was a powerful reminder that when people are given safety, compassion and opportunities, personal transformation follows.
If you’d like to support this work, through volunteering, partnership, or donation, you become part of someone’s Recovery story. And that story can change a life forever.