Spark BWD

03/09/2025

🌟 September is National Recovery Month! 🌟

Each September, National Recovery Month is observed to celebrate the gains made by those in recovery, raise awareness about substance use, and show that recovery is real and possible. 💜

SPARK is proud to join the movement with a full month of events, stories, and community connection—all dedicated to honoring the journey of recovery and those who support it.

🎉 Let’s come together to break stigma, uplift voices, and celebrate hope.

📅 Follow us for the full lineup of events and how you can get involved.

Because recovery isn’t just a possibility—it’s a reality. And it deserves to be celebrated. 💪

02/09/2025

To help prepare for our busy upcoming Recovery month plans, Spark’s Recovery team have spent time together today as part of ‘our time’ team building 😁

Our team have been taking some time out from the busy interventions timetable, to spend the afternoon in Southport, enjoying some fresh seaside air, traditional fish and chips and taking care of each other’s wellbeing.

“We all had the best time connecting together with lots of laughter. One of the many reasons we love working at Spark BWD 🧡”

01/09/2025

We recently received this thoughtful note from someone taking the next step in their recovery journey.

At Spark, we’re committed to supporting individuals through every stage of seeking help—from the first conversation to the important decision to enter treatment. Messages like this remind us why that work matters.

To those who are starting or continuing their path to recovery: we see your strength, and we’re here to support you.

31/08/2025

🕯️ International Overdose Awareness Day 🕯️

Today, we pause to remember those we’ve lost to overdose — sons, daughters, parents, friends. Every life mattered, and every loss is deeply felt. 💜

At Spark, we stand with families and communities grieving these losses. But we also take action — every single day — to help prevent future tragedies.

✨ We provide:
✅ Free Naloxone kits & training
✅ Harm reduction advice and support
✅ Safe use education
✅ Peer support and recovery services
✅ Non-judgemental, confidential help when it’s needed most

Overdose is preventable. Compassion, connection, and care can save lives.

If you or someone you know is at risk, please reach out. You're never alone.

14/08/2025

✨ Sparkling Families ✨

This is our new programme aimed at supporting women to navigate their journey through recovery whilst balancing the challenges of being a parent.

Delivered weekly at St Luke’s Church, this week’s session was based on substance use and how this impacts parenting. We looked at ACES and trauma and a video was shown through the eyes of the child.

At Spark, we recognise how difficult it can be to navigate being a parent, and even more so when experiencing challenges linked to substance misuse.

We also know childcare can be a huge barrier for parents wishing to access treatment. As part of the programme, St Luke’s offer a crèche facility for children up to preschool age, delivered by experienced and qualified staff.

Feedback from this week’s group 👉 “The group felt this session was beneficial to their journey, relatable, helpful, were able to reflect and gave a good understanding of how their own behaviour and substance use has impacted on their own families.”

If you would like to know more about how you can get involved in this course then please get in touch today

Early Break UK

13/08/2025

Today, our Community Connector took part in the launch of the National Institute for Health at Blackburn Rovers Community Trust 🙌

If you are interested in or passionate about health and social care research, visit bepartofresearch.uk

12/08/2025

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our colleagues and partner organisations, we're proud to announce we've been awarded a 'Good' rating in our latest CQC Inspection! 👏❤️

Read more about it here 👇

Blackburn with Darwen’s drug and alcohol support service, Spark, has been rated ‘good’ in a recent inspection by the Care […]

06/08/2025

Great afternoon learning the rules of “Boccia”at Strikers bar Blackburn Rovers Community Trust with Amy Taylor and Andrew Thornhill contact Andrew at 1pm till 3pm every Wednesday at Wellbeinghub Darwen end 😍

31/07/2025

🦠 Hepatitis is a silent killer — but it doesn’t have to be.

📉 Each year, over 1 million people die from hepatitis — and that number is rising.
Why?
Because myths, stigma, and lack of awareness are stopping people from getting tested, treated, and supported.

⚠️ The facts:
🔹 2 million+ new cases every year
🔹 Over 300 million people living with hepatitis
🔹 It's the leading cause of liver cancer

💡 The truth? We have the tools to eliminate hepatitis by 2030 — but the world is moving backwards.

🗣️ It’s time to break the silence, fight the stigma, and demand action.
Together, we can turn things around.

30/07/2025

🦠 What is Hep C?
Hepatitis C (Hep C) is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It often doesn’t show symptoms right away, but over time, it can lead to serious liver damage, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer.
👥 How is it spread?
The most common ways Hep C is transmitted include:
• Sharing needles or equipment for injecting drugs 💉
• Non-sterile tattoo or piercing equipment
• Blood transfusions before 1992
• Sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes (rare, but possible)
• From mother to baby during childbirth (less common)
🚫 Hep C is not spread through casual contact like hugging, kissing, or sharing food.
💡 Good news: Hep C is curable with proper treatment. Early testing saves lives!
Get more info: https://www.hepctrust.org.uk/

29/07/2025

🌟 Honoring Lives, Sharing Memories 🕊️

Today, staff and clients at Spark came together to create something truly meaningful: hand-painted remembrance pebbles in honor of those we've lost to addiction and substance misuse.

Each pebble is a symbol of love, grief, resilience, and hope — carrying the names, memories, and messages of those who are gone but never forgotten. 💜

This simple yet powerful act of remembrance reminds us of the importance of compassion, community, and continuing to support each other through recovery and healing. If you would like to add a name please feel free to message