About us
NWRC was founded in 2014 by James Deakin, who was at the time working in criminal justice services and becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of effective provision available for people with drug and alcohol addictions.
NWRC began delivering a programme of meetings and recovery activity from Penrhyn House, which at the time was a hostel for ex-offenders. After negotiations with the landlord, James and the team took over the running of Penrhyn House and have since been running a rehabilitation programme for people with addictions to drugs and alcohol, they also provide a range of abstinent accommodation from both Penrhyn House and dispersed across Bangor.
NWRC now has a team of six staff; all staff are in recovery themselves, and two have used NWRC services previously to support them on their recovery journey. Working and recruiting in this way has contributed to an democratic ethos amongst staff and clients, enabling them to work honestly and openly together, creating an environment in which people can overcome their addictions and rebuild their lives.
Founder
“I’ve been in recovery for the past 15 years and now share my experiences of active addiction and offending to support other people to bring a positive change to their own lives. I believe strongly in the concepts of mutual aid and shared experience and believe that these are the foundations that NWRC are built upon”
Housing Manager
“I have had many different types of jobs over the years but find my role here as the Housing Manager is the most rewarding. I can use my own personal experience of addiction and 11 years or so of sobriety to help others”.
Duty Officer
“My recovery journey started at Penrhyn House over 4 years ago. I was a resident for 2 and half years and through a lot of hard work and dedication, I’m proud to say I work at Penrhyn as a Duty officer. I love working within the Penrhyn community and using my own experiences to help others”.
Duty Officer
“I began attending Penrhyn House as part of my recovery from Alcohol addiction on a daily basis and got involved in the various groups and activities. I have been abstinent from alcohol for over a year and very fortunate to be employed as a duty officer, aiding and seeing people grow in recovery and helping them to turn their lives around”.
Duty Officer
I have been clean and sober since the beginning of 2019 after spending almost 30 years mentally and then physically dependant on a substance. I eventually found recovery through a 12-step fellowship and was introduced to Penrhyn when I began facilitating a 12-step meeting here. I soon became part of the recovery community and became a full-time member of staff in September 2020.
Duty Officer
I became a resident at Penrhyn House almost four years ago. I have used all the mutual aid groups to build the foundations of my recovery. I then became a volunteer two years later and now I work for Penrhyn House as a Duty Officer. I am passionate about recovery and particularly about Penrhyn House.