Leeds Trinity University and Recovery Connections KTP 24_25 R4

People in addiction recovery are being trained to run their own social enterprises and community projects, turning former service users into active citizens who help others. This matters because people leaving addiction treatment often face stigma, unemployment, and social isolation that can lead to relapse. Traditional recovery services focus on abstinence and clinical support but rarely create pathways for people to rebuild their roles in society. The project addresses a gap: how to transform people from passive recipients of care into contributors who generate social and economic value for their communities. If this succeeds, it could change how recovery services are designed across the UK. Instead of ending treatment and leaving people to fend for themselves, services could include a structured route into community leadership, peer support, and social enterprise. The approach targets collective efficacy—the shared belief that a group can solve its own problems—which has been shown to reduce crime, improve mental health, and strengthen neighbourhoods. For marginalised groups beyond addiction recovery, the model could offer a template for rebuilding civic participation. The project is applied and practical, not fundamental science, with its impact measured in changed lives and stronger communities rather than new knowledge.