MEMBERS of Inverclyde's thriving recovery community showcased their successes and demonstrated how creative arts have helped them on their journey in a fantastic event in Greenock. 

People who are involved in the Creative Recovery Inverclyde programme, and in Recovery Arts, celebrated their achievements across writing, art, and film in Through the Lens of Recovery at the Waterfront Cinema and The Wyllieum. 

Writer Martita Dunn and artist Elina Bry led group members in a series of activities and projects aimed at using creativity to help their recovery. 

(Image: George Munro) Martita said she had a vision for what the event would look like and was thrilled to see it all come together. 

She added: "My vision is here and it's all happening today. It's been so emotional. 

"Seeing all the guys and girls and seeing how well we're all doing now has been amazing. 

"Everyone has a creative side, and we need to be out and about looking at beautiful things and beautiful places. 

"That's where the magic happens."

In the first part of the event, eight short films focused on recovery were shown on the big screen at the Waterfront Cinema. 

Elina said: "It's been amazing to be able to show the work of the participants on the big screen. 

"Being able to see the films like that makes a huge difference."

The group worked on their film and writing projects in a room at the the Watt Institution, and then the room upstairs at The Wyllieum. 

Inverclyde Alcohol and Drug Partnership provided funding for a publication, which was produced in partnership with The Wyllieum and Belville Community Garden. 

(Image: George Munro) Elina said the group want to get the publication out to recovery communities across Scotland. 

She added: "It's all about what's been happening in our group over the last two years, and will help people understand what our work is about. 

"It's all focused on how creativity helps the recovery process. 

"We want to get it out there to different recovery communities."

In the Wyllieum part of the celebration, members of the Recovery Arts group showcased their art and put on live performances. 

Members spoke about the Carving Our Way clay project, which saw sculptures created from clay by hand and then given back to the Firth of Clyde. 

Wyllieum general manager Willie Sutherland also spoke about his own recovery journey. 

(Image: George Munro) Martita Dunn has been working with Your Voice since 2021 and said creativity is at the heart of recovery. 

She said: "I'm in recovery myself and that's how I got better. I connected with writing. 

"I was in addiction for decades and found myself very isolated. 

"I started writing again, and just wrote, and wrote, and wrote, and it saved my life."

Martita moved to Greenock in 2014 and volunteered for Inverclyde Faith in Throughcare (IFiT) and Your Voice. 

She said getting people outside in nature has been a huge part of the project. 

Martita added: "When you're in addiction, you don't go anywhere. One of the first things I did was get everyone out for a walk. 

"People are building fantastic relationships now."

Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan was at the event. 

He said: "This is yet another example of how creative arts can help people, and of a successful partnership approach. 

"The funding that's been donated by Creative Scotland is hugely important. 

"I'm really pleased to see people progressing with their lives."