MORE than 100 people gathered in Greenock to celebrate the achievements and rehabilitation of local people who have been involved in the criminal justice system, and who have experienced addiction.
Inverclyde Faith in Throughcare (IFiT), with support from Your Voice, hosted an event at Beacon Arts Centre to coincide with Prisoners Week Scotland 2024.
The event brought support organisations from all over Inverclyde together in one place to raise awareness of the services they provide, and showcased the amazing creativity of people involved in the criminal justice system, and those in recovery.
IFiT support worker Robbie Murdoch said the event was a great success and he hopes it will be the first of many.
Robbie said: "We want to thank everyone for coming along. The Beacon and Your Voice have been an amazing support to us as well.
"We're hoping this well be the start of a regular programme of events, and we'll definitely be doing something for Prisoners Week next year."
Robbie said the event reinforced that support organisations are all working towards the same goal.
He added: "We're all helping people and we're helping the community, so we're all going in the same direction.
"We encourage people who are part of IFiT to engage with Your Voice.
"Today helped us give a voice to people who are unheard, and gave them a platform to show what they can do."
The programme of activities on the day included emotional stories from people who have experience of addiction, and of the criminal justice system.
Talented musicians from the Your Voice recovery jam and the IFiT jam groups got the chance to show off their skills, and people could join in as part of an open mic session.
Organisations provided information on their services in a selection of stalls, and there was a question and answer session at the end of the day.
Your Voice recovery development co-ordinator Dean Ferrie said the event raised awareness of the services available across Inverclyde.
He added: "People have been able to engage with services and see what help is on offer.
"If services aren't available on certain days, people need to know when others are available.
"We want people out there who are in addiction to know that there's a massive network of help for them.
"Each service offers something different."
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Jennifer Hunter, community outreach co-ordinator at the Beacon, said she's pleased to be helping to break down the stigma associated with people in addiction and the prison system.
She added: "We want the Beacon to be seen as a resource for the community.
"Today we've heard really amazing stories of recovery and of people using creativity as part of their recovery.
"The work produced as part of the Inhibition exhibition belongs in this building as much as the work of anyone else.
"It's really important for us to have relationships with organisations like IFiT and Your Voice, and to learn from each other by listening and sharing our ideas."
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