Inspirational Heysham couple enjoy Platinum Jubilee Party honour after turning lives around

Tuesday, 7 June 2022 12:53

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Dave and Kerrie Higham at the Platinum Party at the Palace

A Heysham couple who battled back from addiction to inspire others to turn their lives around were invited to join in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations at Buckingham Palace.

Dave Higham and Kerrie Higham MBE, who set up The Well Communities in our local area to support people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, were among the invited guests at the televised Platinum Party at the Palace concert on Saturday night.

The Highams were nominated to attend the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration event in London by the Lord Lieutenants of Lancashire and Cumbria, for the work they do at The Well.

"It's amazing to be nominated and we're very honoured," said Dave.

"(Being at the party) is to say to people that, I was written, off, I was the worst of the worst, and if I can do it, so can you."

This year The Well marks its 10th anniversary, and Dave, who is originally from Liverpool, is celebrating his own milestone - 17 years of being drug-free.

He recently released a book to help people to understand how to break free from the cycle of addiction, crime, mental health and trauma.

Beyond Radio spoke exclusively to Dave before Saturday's event at Buckingham Palace, about how he rebounded from a life of crime and drugs to set up The Well alongside Kerrie.

In Part 1 of our interview Dave talks about being invited to the Platinum Party at the Palace and why The Well is so important

In Part 2, Dave talks about his new book 'Rat Hell to Rat Park, the Core Conditions for Recovery' (see below)

Dave describes The Well as "a lived experience recovery organisation".

"Everyone at The Well has got lived experience of addiction, offending, mental health and trauma," said Dave.

"It was set up because of my own dysfunctional upbringing, turning to drugs at the age of 12, and then from the age of 16 entering the prison system.

"From the age of 16 to 37, I spent more time in prison than I did in the community. I was a prolific offender, I had mental health issues, and I was just stuck in this cycle of addiction and couldn't get out.

"I ended up getting four and a half years (in prison) and was sent to Lancaster Castle, and it was there where I found a programme that addressed my addiction, and addressed the core issues of why I used in the first place. Since I did that programme I've never used since and I've been clean and abstinent for 17 years.

"Usually society writes off people like me, who are chaotic drug users and offenders, and a menace to society. But once I found recovery, instead of going back to Liverpool I stayed local, I volunteered in different services, then got a job and worked in services for six or seven years.

"I realised that we needed to create (an addiction recovery organisation) in the heart of the community, I came up with the idea of The Well, I opened in Lancaster Boys and Girls Club in November 2012. I had to fund (it). Nobody believed in an ex-prolific offender and addict. So we started from there."

Dave eventually decided to work full-time at The Well, as the organisation went from strength to strength.

"Now we cover nearly the whole of the North West," he said.

"We have 50-odd staff, with recovery housing, we work in the hospitals, prisons, GP surgeries. The Well has just grown and every one of us has that lived experience, and that's what makes us unique. If you want to break free from crime and addiction, The Well is a place where you can do that."

Kerrie, who is from Morecambe, supported Dave when he set up The Well, ended up working for the organisation, and last year was awarded an MBE for her work with recovering addicts in the town.

"I met Kerrie the first month I got out of prison and we've been together ever since, nearly 15 years," said Dave.

"Kerrie was a heroin addict and used heroin in Lancaster and Morecambe.

"She broke free from addiction when I came out of prison. The work she's been doing; we set up all online services when the pandemic hit, we created a seven-day service, and she works flat out. She's a Trojan.

"She's put absolutely everything into this organisation and she rightly deserved that award, for that passionate way that she helps people, to stop people dying in our local community. I'm proud as anything of her."

Dave said there are around 5000 members of The Well. The organisation provides supported 24/7 accommodation for recovering addicts, with 15 beds in Morecambe, around 30 in Barrow, 15 in Kendal and eight in Carlisle.

They also run group and 1-2-1 support sessions, a social club on Saturday afternoon at Lancaster Boys and Girls Club, and a new social supermarket on Yorkshire Street in Morecambe.

Dave said The Well employs staff who are "the very people we've supported".

He said this shows the impact of the organisation in getting people out of crime, addiction, mental health and trauma and into work, some from "the brink of death".

"Never give up hope, there's a way out," he said.

"We will walk by your side until you're living a life of your wildest dreams. That's a promise."

You can find out more about The Well Communities here.

For a copy of Dave's book email book@thewell2.co.uk