Community Interest Company Report

During the financial year, Lifeboat Recovery Community Hub CIC delivered a free, peer-led, non-clinical recovery service for people affected by addiction, with a particular focus on ketamine-related harm. The organisation provided daily drop-in support, peer-led recovery groups, practical support, wellbeing and social activities, family support, one-to-one help, volunteering and ongoing peer connection.

Lifeboat supported approximately 25–35 people each day and maintained an active online peer-support community. A dedicated ketamine support group also operated from Kirkdale Community Centre, including provision for young people. During the year Lifeboat worked with community, health, public sector and other partners and contributed lived-experience insight to the local response to ketamine harm.

These activities benefited the community by reducing isolation, providing accessible early recovery support, helping people engage where traditional services may not be accessible, supporting families, and providing a safe and non-judgemental environment in which people could build recovery, stability and connection.

Lifeboat’s stakeholders include people using the service, families and carers, volunteers, directors, local community organisations, health and public services, local authority partners, youth services, schools, housing services and other recovery and community partners.

Stakeholders have been consulted through regular engagement with service users and families, feedback and testimonials, participant involvement in shaping the service and its Code of Conduct, day-to-day peer discussions, group activity and engagement with partner organisations.

Feedback has informed the development of the timetable and activities, including family support, wellbeing and recovery sessions, practical support and the continued emphasis on a safe, welcoming and non-judgemental environment.

Lifeboat also uses stakeholder and lived-experience feedback to identify gaps in existing provision and inform partnership and service-development activity.