The Arc Aftercare Recovery Community

Peer based recovery support service based in the west side of Glasgow. Be sure to check out our services for information on what we offer here at the ARC.

Hello there  a bit about us…

The ARC was originally formed through the desire and effort of ex-residents of Rainbow House and Whiteinch Project (rehabilitation services) to form a supportive peer led community to help those affected by addiction. They aimed to create a safe space to help others in their journey through addiction and give something back to the Whiteinch Community. The original group quickly grew to 12 and met within Whiteinch Centre every Sunday, they were supported by other members of the community including the local café owner, Theresa Arneil who operates out of Whiteinch Centre.

Following much conversation and discussion a timetable was devised and rooms were booked within the Whiteinch Centre , Teapots Cafe agreed to provide lunch, tea and coffee. Volunteers quickly increased to 25 and went through all necessary PVG checks and training. This was kindly provided by Crossreach and helped our volunteers to manage personal boundaries, health and safety and facilitation skills etc.

We have now been running for nearly 5 years and are delighted to say that the project has been a success in terms of its original aim. We are visited by an average of 100 people every Friday in Whiteinch from all across Glasgow and beyond. People can access Holistic Therapies such as massage, acupuncture, spiritual healing and Boxercise. The ARC also delivers 4 groups internally, facilitated by volunteers; a Women’s Group, Recovery Meeting, Relapse Prevention Group and S. M. A. R. T. (Self-Management and Recovery Training). These groups are well attended and offer coping strategies and collective knowledge that may be of use to help people maintain an alcohol and drug free lifestyle.

When people leave services, we are there to provide signposting to services they may not have accessed in treatment. We also offer advice and support to alleviate any problems they still face once out of treatment, (i. e. housing, benefits etc. ). Ultimately we aim to people maintain a drug free lifestyle and integrate into their community, by offering volunteer opportunities within the ARC and implementing exit strategies. There are training opportunities due to the support of the Northwest Recovery Communities. These can increase the individual’s employability or we can direct them to further education should they request it.

The ARC is currently promoted by word of mouth within the already established recovery community within Glasgow and Central Scotland and also some of the Rehabilitation Services, who introduce their service users whilst they are in treatment. We are currently in the process of developing a liaison committee to engage with Rehabilitation services, women and men’s group’s, and Prisons to introduce others who may be experiencing addiction issues.
The ARC is proud to promote a culture of recovery within the Glasgow Area and to help break down the stigma of addiction by implementing the social inclusion of a marginalised group in society. We have the support of local people and have created an intergenerational community full of care and support.

We are currently seeking crowdfunding to continue this service which has so far helped many people. Please come along any Friday, meet our dedicated committee, volunteers and service users - see for yourself the valuable work that it being done every week. Anything you can bring to the ARC from your own experience, your ability to provide a therapy or to just to come along and support us, would be gratefully received.

Check out our Just Giving Link and donate anything you can please. So many people in Scotland have been personally affected by some form of addiction, in themselves or their family or friends. Together we can support each other. Come join our ARC and get some shelter from the storm.