Addiction and recovery workshop taking place at CRE 2026

Churches have an important role to play in supporting people affected by addiction, but many can be unsure about how best to respond. This will be the focus of “Addiction, Recovery and the Church: How Can We Help?”, a practical workshop at CRE 2026 led by Nigel Skelsey on Wednesday 14 October, from 2:40pm to 3:25pm. The location for this workshop will be the Premier Suite on the 1st floor.

Nigel founded The Recovery Course and has spent almost 20 years helping churches and communities understand addiction and recovery. Drawing on both professional and personal experience, he will explore what recovery can look like, how churches can create safe and welcoming environments, and how volunteers can support people while recognising the need for appropriate professional help.

The practical workshop will introduce The Recovery Course, a free Christian, 12-step-based programme designed to help churches support people struggling with addiction and compulsive behaviours. This course is now being used in churches, prisons, homeless drop-in centres and other community settings, helping participants explore recovery and find practical and spiritual support.

In England, 152,067 people left drug and alcohol treatment services in 2024/25, with 46% successfully completing their treatment and being discharged free from dependence. Over the longer term, government data shows that 47% of the more than 1.26 million people who had entered treatment between 2005/06 and 2024/25 had completed treatment and had not returned to treatment. Source - GOV.UK

The workshop will also feature first-hand experiences from people who have run and attended the course, offering delegates an insight into its impact and what participants can expect.