Forward Leeds is delighted to receive a £2,000 donation from Getting Clean, which will help support a lived experience recovery project.
The donation marks the first contribution from Getting Clean’s ambitious mission to donate £1 million to recovery communities across the UK within six years. The community interest company (CIC) celebrated reaching a major milestone in its fundraising journey at an event in September attended by community leaders, partners and supporters from across Leeds.
The cheque was presented by Baroness of Armley Alison Lowe OBE to representatives from 5 WAYS Recovery Academy and Forward Leeds, with guests including the Lord Mayor of Leeds, senior leaders from Leeds City Council and local councillors.
(Left to Right) Chris Sylvester of Getting Clean, 5 WAYS Service Manager Kevin Morris, Baroness Lowe of Armley – Alison Lowe OBE, Forward Leeds Area Manager Cath Brogan
The funding will support initiatives that place people with lived experience of recovery at the heart of helping others, creating opportunities for connection, peer support and positive change within local communities.
Chris Sylvester, founder of Getting Clean, said: “This donation represents much more than a cheque. It’s proof that recovery can create lasting social change and that businesses led by people with lived experience can give back in meaningful ways. We are proud to support Forward Leeds in delivering a project that empowers people in recovery and strengthens communities. This is just the beginning of our commitment to investing in recovery across the UK.”
5 WAYS Service Manager Kevin Morris said: “We are incredibly grateful to Getting Clean for this generous donation and for their commitment to supporting recovery communities. Having been involved in the early stages of Getting Clean, alongside Forward Leeds, we are proud to have played a small part in its journey, including providing building space over several years to help it grow and develop into the self-sufficient organisation it is today. Lived experience is a powerful force for change, and this funding will help us create more opportunities for people to share their experiences, support one another and inspire hope. Partnerships like this demonstrate what can be achieved when communities, organistions and people in recovery work together towards a common goal.”
Forward Leeds would like to thank Chris Sylvester, the Getting Clean team and everyone involved in making the event a success.
As Forward Leeds continues to work alongside partners across Leeds, this donation will help ensure that people with lived experience remain at the centre of recovery support, providing encouragement, understanding and opportunities for others beginning their own recovery journey.