A SPECIAL event is being planned in North Ayrshire to support people who have fought back from drug and alcohol addictions.

RISE - the area's-first ever recovery festival - has been organised by the North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership

Held in partnership with Turning Point Scotland, Minds of Recovery and Freed Up, the event will be held at Irvine Moor on Saturday, September 14  as a celebration of “recovery, inspiration, support and empowerment”.

The day will kick off with a memorial walk and flowers ceremony from 11am, before the main event gets under way at noon, running until 4pm.

As well as live entertainment, there will be a funfair and food vans, and information and support will also be available. 

The event is completely free to attend and no booking is required. 

Stalls are being organised by Children 1st, who have general information and support, imagination library sign-ups (kids from birth up to five get a free book every month.

They also have information on a Parent Line – national support telephone service and national financial wellbeing team. The charity also offer arts and crafts.

The Lennox Partnership will give information on employability support.

Release Ayrshire, an online men’s support service which has been set up to help provide confidential support and advice to men of any age who are down, in crisis or simply need to talk will have a stall on their services.

ACDI will have information on recovery services, glitter tattoos and face painting, balloon modelling  and other children’s activities.

Rock and Rose will have hand arm massage, drum healing and details on how treatments support mental health and support people in recovery.

Barnardo’s will encourage people to paint stones, making friendship bracelets and will have large outdoor games.

Keep an eye out on NAADP’s X page (@NorthAADP) and the North Ayrshire Protecting People Together Facebook page for full details.