A REMEMBRANCE day for people affected by alcohol and drug addiction is being held later this month.

Services and charities focusing on addiction will come together on July 20 at Shelley Park, off Boscombe Overcliff Drive, to enjoy a day of family fun activities, including a picnic and live music.

It has been organised by the RISE Project (Recovery In Social Enterprise), a Bournemouth-based initiative which supports people who use addiction services, which offers mentoring opportunities and organises social events.

Helen Adams, Manager of Resettlement at Streetscene, which is involved with the RISE Project, says that organising events such as the Remembrance Day allows the service-users to feel rewarded and empowered.

She said: “It also shows them that things don’t happen overnight.

She added: “The Remembrance Day is about taking time to remember someone who has gone through addiction, or has been affected by it perhaps because they know someone who has, such as their aunt, brother, or friend.

“There’s a willow tree in Shelley Park, which we are going to get some ribbons for with luggage labels on, where people can write a name on and then tie to the tree.

Garry Wynne, Streetscene resettlement drug and alcohol support worker, said: “The idea was to give the service-users some responsibility, to show that they can put on an event, and learn all the things behind it.

"It almost shows the service-users what we can do when we work together, as in ‘United, we stand’.”

All the community events organised by the RISE Project are open to anyone who wishes to come along.