Keighley-based Project 6 praised for its work (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Keighley-based Project 6 praised for its work

11:00am Monday 18th March 2013 in News

A service that helps recovering addicts back into the working world is going from strength to strength, a Council committee has been told.

Keighley-based Project 6 offers support for people to overcome their drug or alcohol addiction, and allows them to gain skills with numerous volunteer projects and hopefully move into jobs.

One of its success stories is a project that sees former addicts serving food at Keighley Cougars rugby matches – called the Progress Cafe.

It has been so successful that it could lead to “pop up” cafes run by volunteers serving food at major town events in the near future.

Bradford Council’s Keighley Area Committee heard an update on the scheme at its latest meeting.

Services manager Vicky Beere said the scheme proved that redemption was possible for addicts, despite negative public perception. Over 2,000 people a year are currently helped by lottery-funded Project 6 and its 25 members of staff.

She said: “Our centre on Russell Street is a service for people who are recovering from addiction – they are either abstinent or nearly abstinent.

“We wanted to challenge people’s perceptions of former users and break down some stereotypes. It widens people’s perceptions of what a former addict can contribute.

“We currently have 15 former users volunteering in the cafe scheme.”

Councillors were told Project 6 was making efforts to reach out to Keighley’s Asian community, and families that may be suffering from drug addiction.

Although around 80 per cent of the recovering addicts in Project 6 enter themselves, Mrs Beere hopes to engage with parents who may be concerned about their children’s activities.

The committee praised the work the project was doing, and agreed to offer support in the future.

Project 6 is based on Temple Street, and can be contacted on 01535 610180.