More than 100 people gathered at Port Vale FC on Friday 23 October for the Stoke Recovery Service Annual Awards 2026, celebrating personal achievements, inspiring stories and the strength of the Stoke-on-Trent recovery community.
The annual event brought together people supported by SRS, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, partners and special guests for an evening dedicated to recognising the progress and determination of people in recovery from challenges with drugs and alcohol.
Following last year’s special 10th anniversary celebrations, the 2026 Awards once again put people at the heart of SRS in the spotlight, recognising not only the individual achievements but the connections and support that help people build and sustain recovery.
Celebrating recovery in all its forms
Gaz Hayes received the Positive Attitude Award, presented by recovery worker Deena Warrington.
Stoke Recovery Service is the abstinence-based recovery and aftercare service delivered as part of Stoke-on-Trent Community Drug and Alcohol Service (CDAS), in partnership with BAC O’Connor and WithYou.
The service supports people to build on the progress they have made in treatment and sustain their recovery through ongoing support, activities and connection with others.
Awards presented throughout the evening reflected the many ways people make progress in recovery. Categories included Breakthrough, Positive Attitude, Inspiration, Resilience, Giving Back, Commitment, Growth, Positive Role Model and Above and Beyond.
The celebrations also recognised those who make a difference to others, including a client-nominated Staff Award, the Manager’s Award for Voice of Recovery and the second Noreen Oliver Award for Courage and Bravery, named in honour of Noreen Oliver MBE, Hon.DLitt, founder of BAC O’Connor and advocate for drug and alcohol policy reform.
Emma Roden, Service Manager at SRS, said:
“These awards celebrate the courage, resilience and determination of the people who use Stoke Recovery Service. Hearing people share their experiences of drug and alcohol recovery so openly was deeply moving, and I am incredibly proud of everything they have achieved. From breakthroughs and courage to change to becoming positive role models and going above and beyond, these achievements deserve recognition. Behind each award is a personal story of effort, hope and perseverance.
“I am also immensely proud of our staff, whose compassion, dedication and belief in people help make those achievements possible. These awards remind us why that support matters and how much there is to celebrate in recovery.”
Vicki Nash, Head of Service Delivery at CDAS, said: “We’re incredibly proud of everyone celebrated at the awards, and of the recovery community we’ve built together in Stoke-on-Trent.
“Through our partnership with BAC O’Connor, and with the continued support of our commissioners and local partners, we’re helping to create a city where recovery is visible, celebrated and supported.”
An evening of music, stories and shared experiences
Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Joan Bell, joined the awards and gave a speech.
Alongside people in recovery, their loved ones and staff, the event welcomed the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Joan Bell, and her consort, Dennis Bell. They were joined by Ankush Mittal, Consultant in Public Health at Stoke-on-Trent City
Council, and by colleagues from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID): Tracy Carr, Health Improvement Programme Manager, and Steve Campbell, Programme Manager in the Drug and Alcohol Improvement
Support Team. Together, guests recognised the achievements of people in recovery and the community supporting them.
Guests also enjoyed live music from Ryan Dooley, musician and member of the Stoke-on-Trent alternative rock band, All the Young.
Alongside performing, Ryan spoke openly about his personal experiences of recovery, sharing how drug and alcohol challenges have affected both his own life and his family. His speech, along with guest speeches from other SRS community members, highlighted the importance of speaking openly about experiences that are too often surrounded by stigma.
Musician Ryan Dooley performing at the SRS Recovery Awards, joined by Craig Edwards, winner of the Managers Award for Voice of Recovery.
A community built on connection
While the awards recognised individual achievements, the evening was also a celebration of the wider recovery community that has developed across Stoke-on-Trent.
From people taking their first steps in recovery to those who have spent years supporting others, the event brought together people with different experiences but a shared understanding of the importance of connection, encouragement and hope.
The Annual Awards also provide an opportunity to challenge the stigma that still surrounds drug and alcohol challenges. By celebrating people’s achievements and sharing real experiences of recovery, SRS hopes to show that positive change is possible and that nobody should feel ashamed to ask for support.
Supporting recovery in Stoke-on-Trent
The Annual Awards are just one example of how Stoke Recovery Service brings together people throughout the year.
Through peer support, activities and opportunities to connect with others, SRS helps people develop the relationships, confidence and sense of belonging that can play an important part in sustaining recovery.
As another year of achievements was celebrated, the evening served as a reminder that recovery is about more than overcoming drug or alcohol challenges. It is also about rebuilding lives, discovering new possibilities and having people alongside you on the journey.