SMART is Self-Management And Recovery Training; it is a science-based therapeutic program teaching skills to support individual addiction recovery. SMART champions choice and provides a ‘toolbox’ of methods demonstrated in educational meetings that empower people to choose to change by: Taking responsibility building and maintaining motivation coping with urges managing thoughts, feelings and behaviours living a balanced life SMART differs significantly from the 12 step programs available in Kent and although these programs can be successful, they don't fit everyone. But unlike the 12 step programs, SMART meetings in Kent are restricted to those in treatment services. Simply, that's not good enough, SMART can and should be for everyone! Reach out and recover (ROAR) Kent’s volunteers with lived experience of addiction recovery feel passionately that broadening recovery options to include offering SMART openly in 6 Kent communities will improve recovery engagement and success rates.

What we'll deliver:

• Pioneer SMART recovery in Kent making it openly available across deprived communities.
• Provide free education and skills upgrading to volunteers and service users.
• Extend and increase volunteering opportunities across Kent.
• Reliably provide one meeting a week in Thanet
• Reliably provide one meeting a week in Canterbury
• Reliably provide one meeting a week in Folkestone
• Reliably provide one meeting a week in Dover
• Reliably provide one meeting a week in Ashford
• Reliably provide one meeting a week in Maidstone

Why it's a great idea:

While attending meetings people will connect with their peers and learn skills to manage and reduce self-destructive and addictive behaviours such as; drug taking, drinking, smoking, gambling, over eating, destructive shopping habits or over sexualisation. These meetings significantly reduce problematic behaviour and therefore; Reduce social isolation Increase physical and mental wellbeing Improve productivity Improve communication and relationships Create lasting change and inspire others to do the same. By providing SMART our communities can benefit from; More volunteering and educational opportunities Reduced the strain on NHS, police and social services Reduced crime rates Increased local economies through a more productive available workforce Increased the perception of safety Improved family outcomes Reduced stigma around addiction and help seeking Increased community pride and connection This is why we say SMART is for everyone and will be a valuable asset within Kent!

Steps to get it done:

• Train 12 volunteers to facilitate SMART recovery
• Organised meeting spaces and deliver wide spread outreach so people know when and where to go
• Start providing SMART recovery meetings across Kent.
• Onboard further volunteers to support the delivery of the meetings by the core facilitators.

-Meetings will be set up in Thanet, Canterbury, Folkestone, Dover, Maidstone and Ashford. -This funding will allow us to run meetings in 6 locations weekly for 1 year (50 weeks) meaning we could help hundreds of people across Kent. -SMART is a secular program focusing on teaching skills based on CBT and REBT, therefore SMART meetings welcome everyone regardless of their personal beliefs. - SMART is science based and therefore forever changing and developing in light of new research, this allows facilitators to provide up to date educational materials and methods which are tested and proven to work. -We hope to Employ and educate volunteers from within the local Kent communities to provide SMART. -All our volunteers are DBS checked and have safeguarding training to ensure the welling being of our services users which may be vulnerable adults. - Meetings will be restricted to over 18's only for safeguarding reasons.