September is Recovery Month, and 2026 has been one of our busiest yet at Wirral Ways. From a market...
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September is Recovery Month, and 2026 has been one of our busiest yet at Wirral Ways. From a market full of people celebrating recovery within their community,…...
Wirral Ways recently teamed up with England Netball, Tranmere Rovers in the Community and Liverpool Homeless Football Club to deliver a netball taster event, and the turnout exceeded every...
Freshers Week is one of the biggest nights out (or weeks out) of the university calendar. Whether you're starting at…...
If gambling is starting to worry you, you don't need to wait until things fall apart before asking for help. That's the message from First Person Project CIC, a local service supporting anyone...
The drug landscape is constantly changing and what is sold as a certain substance, often contains lots of other substances. We've put together this…...
Seven women. One graduation. A course that could change the way Wirral supports pregnant women affected by substance use. Wirral Ways, part of Change Grow Live, has helped fund and deliver the first...
For International Overdose Awareness Day, Leo, Outreach Team Leader at Wirral Ways and member of the non-fatal overdose panel, busts three common myths about overdose. https://youtu.be/oCZJ9FRO-UQ...
Jacob Jones, Volunteering Lead at Wirral Ways, shares three reasons to get involved. https://youtu.be/lXuEjz-CweU Build your confidence and grow your skills Volunteering is a great opportunity to get...
Sally Rzeszowski, Dual Diagnosis Practitioner from the Stein Centre and working for Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust, shares three simple ways to manage stress while in recovery...
With the August bank holiday coming up, we want to make sure everyone knows what their prescription pick up dates will look like and where to get support if you need urgent help while Wirral Ways is...
Heading to a festival this summer? Ruby, Health and Wellbeing Support Worker at Wirral Ways, shares three common mistakes to avoid. https://youtu.be/OUCT4jUX2eA Mixing substances without knowing how...
We're pleased to share that Wirral Ways now has four new portable induction loops, helping us make our services even more accessible to people who wear hearing devices. What is an induction loop? An...
PULSE is our ongoing survey, always open, so you can tell us honestly what's working and what isn't, whenever you want to. Each month, we sit down and go through everything that's come in. In July...
Watch Lindsay, Paul and Kieran talk about what Recovery Works means to them, then read Lindsay's story in full below. https://youtu.be/MJ58INTlTWM For a lot of people, work is one of the first things...
For Alcohol Awareness Week, Jason, who works with the Health and Wellbeing team at Wirral Ways, shares three simple ways to reduce your drinking, and what happened when he didn't do any of them...
For Alcohol Awareness Week, Jason, a volunteer on the alcohol team at Wirral Ways, shares three signs from his own experience that alcohol had become a problem. https://youtu.be/h7oABMBj9c8 Drinking...
For Alcohol Awareness Week 2026, Heather Geggie, Recovery Coordinator on the alcohol team at Wirral Ways, shares three signs it may be time to seek help. https://youtu.be/4eXluIAAFuQ You drink more...
PULSE is our ongoing survey, always open, so you can tell us honestly what's working and what isn't, whenever you want to. Each month, we sit down and go through everything that's come in. In June...
Earlier this month, Nick walked into the Mayor's office and received recognition that many would take for granted. But for him, it was the culmination of something remarkable: a journey from having...
What you need to know about alcohol, drugs, medication, and your mental health during hot weather Hot weather can feel welcome, but it brings real risks, particularly for people who use alcohol or...
This year's Alcohol Awareness Week runs from 6 to 12 July 2026, and we're marking it by opening our doors to professionals from across the Wirral. On Thursday 9 July, we're hosting a free...
Having a baby is a big deal. Whether it was planned or not, life after birth can feel overwhelming, and contraception might not be the first thing on your mind. But it is worth thinking about sooner...
Sometimes, the most powerful things we receive at Wirral Ways aren't statistics or strategies. They're words from real people living real experiences. Someone in recovery reached out to us recently...
Most conversations about drugs and alcohol focus on young people. But the reality is that many people over 50 are drinking more than they realise, using substances to manage pain or sleep or stress...
June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities, reflect on progress made, and be honest about the work still to do. For us at Wirral Ways, that honesty matters. Pride is not just a moment...
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July – 39 days, 104 matches, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. For most people in Wirral, it will be a brilliant tournament to follow...
For International Sex Workers Day, Sarah McIntyre, Women's Wellbeing Coordinator at Wirral Ways, shares her top three tips for staying safe. https://youtu.be/ivUyY69WDbY Tell someone you trust Before...
PULSE is our ongoing survey, always open, so you can tell us honestly what's working and what isn't, whenever you want to. Each month, we sit down and go through everything that's come in. May 2026...
1–7 June 2026 | Volunteers' Week Every week at Wirral Ways, people give their time, energy, and lived experience to support others on their recovery journey. This Volunteers' Week, we want to take a...
Mecca Bingo in Birkenhead is closing. For a lot of people who have visited regularly over the years, that is a real loss. Bingo halls are not just places to play – they are social spaces, weekly...
The UK is currently experiencing a heatwave, and high temperatures can affect everyone, but especially people who are in recovery or managing their health. Here is what you need to know to keep...
Today, five people did something extraordinary. They walked into Nightingales Recovery Hub this morning as participants in our Community Rehab Programme, and they left as graduates. After 12 weeks of...
With the late May bank holiday coming up, we want to make sure everyone knows what their prescription pick up dates will look like and where to get support if you need urgent help while Wirral Ways is...
If you receive benefits, you may have heard that the government recently moved people from legacy benefits like tax credits and jobseeker's allowance onto Universal Credit. This change means that some...
Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 11 to 17 May 2026. This year's theme, set by the Mental Health Foundation, is Take Action. The message is clear that while awareness matters, meaningful change...
Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 11 to 17 May 2026, with this year's theme set by the Mental Health Foundation: Take Action. The message is clear that while awareness matters, meaningful change...
We are sharing an urgent alert issued by the Cheshire and Merseyside Local Drug Information System (LDIS). Please read this carefully and share it with anyone who may need it.[et_pb_section...
Welcome to the Spring 2026 Training and Development Newsletter Hi everyone, Lighter nights and warmer days are finally here, and the spring training programme is live — and booking up…...
PULSE is our ongoing survey, always open, so you can tell us honestly what's working and what isn't, whenever you want to. Each month, we sit down and go through everything that's come in. In April...
What are 7 Minute Briefings? A short, focused team learning tool — delivered face to face, once a month. 1BackgroundClick to reveal 1Background7 minute briefings are a learning tool borrowed from the...
⚠ IMPORTANT UPDATE - 24 April 2026 ⚠ We have now received confirmed information from Merseyside Police that the overdoses reported in Southport are linked…...
With the May bank holiday coming up, we want to make sure everyone knows what their prescription pick up dates will look like and where to get support if you need urgent help while Wirral Ways is...
This spring and summer, Wirral Ways is offering a full programme of free, professional training - and we want you to be part of it. Our training is open to anyone working in or alongside the sector:...
PULSE is our ongoing survey, always open, so you can tell us honestly what's working and what isn't, whenever you want to. Each month, we sit down and go through everything that's come in. In March...
We have been made aware from Merseyside Police of reports that a contaminated form of Heroin, described as “Black Tar”, is currently…...
After accessing support from Wirral Ways for his alcohol use, Ben began making steady changes that helped him regain stability, restore his career and look ahead to the future with confidence. His...
Yesterday, members of the Wirral Ways team visited Wirral Met College to deliver three ketamine awareness sessions to students. Cris Bentley (Non-Opiate Team Lead), Liz McLoughlin (Non-Opiate Worker)...
With the Easter bank holiday coming up, we want to make sure everyone knows what their prescription pick up dates will look like, how to stay safe over the long weekend, and where…...
Stopping smoking is something I had tried before. Like a lot of people, I had more than one go at it over the years. Sometimes I managed for a while, sometimes I didn’t. Each time it knocked my...
Honestlywhere has the time gone? In what feels like the blink of an eye, I’ve now been at Wirral Ways for a year and a half, and it’s already been such a journey. When I look back at the last 18...
On 25 February 2026, we held our latest Service User Forum at our Price Street Hub in Birkenhead. The forum was facilitated by Jenny Bibby (Service User Representative Volunteer) and Jacob Jones...
Ramadan Mubarak to everyone observing. As Ramadan approaches, we recognise that many people will be thinking carefully about how fasting fits alongside their health, wellbeing, and any medication they...
Join us at one of our upcoming Service User Forums. Have your say. Help shape the future. If you use one of our services, we would love you to get involved.Our Service User Forums are a friendly...
Driving is something many of us do every day, often without thinking too much about it. But alcohol and drugs can change how we think, react, and make decisions in ways that are not always obvious at...
Josie was referred into Wirral Ways by Social Services and later supported by Recovery Works following a referral from her Recovery Coordinator. When Josie first engaged with the service, she had been...
When Toby first engaged with Wirral Ways, he had been unemployed for around eight months and was keen to return to work but felt unsure about what direction to take. At that point, Toby was managing...
Monday 9 to Sunday 15 February 2026 Wirral Ways is supporting National HIV Testing Week 2026, a national campaign encouraging people to test for HIV and know their status. National HIV Testing Week is...
We have received a report of a serious adverse reaction linked to the use of ketamine and cocaine. What has been reported? An individual became very…...
PULSE is our ongoing survey, always open, so you can tell us honestly what's working and what isn't, whenever you want to. Each month, we sit down and go through everything that's come in. In January...
Illegal vaping products are widely available across Wirral, and many people do not realise they are using devices that do not meet UK safety standards. These products can contain much higher levels of...
Recovery is about more than stopping something. For many people, it’s about rebuilding confidence, finding purpose, and reconnecting with who they are. That’s why Wirral Ways works closely with the...
We are pleased to confirm a series of cervical screening (smear) clinics taking place at Wirral Ways throughout 2026, delivered in partnership with Sexual Health Wirral. These clinics are part of...
As we look back on 2025, we are incredibly proud of the scale, reach and quality of support delivered by Wirral Ways. Every figure represents people being supported, conversations that mattered and...
We know the festive period can be challenging for many people, which is why our groups will continue running over Christmas and New Year. Whether you are just starting to think about change or are...
I’m really proud to share that Change Grow Live has been re-accredited with the Investing in Volunteers award. This is the national quality mark for volunteer management, and being recognised again...
Choosing to drive after taking drugs can change lives in seconds. Across the last decade, drug driving has become a growing danger on UK roads. Between 2014 and 2023, there was a 70 percent increase...
Nights out are a big part of the festive season. Whether you are heading to a pub, club, gig or house party, it can feel good to celebrate, connect with friends and enjoy a change of routine. You...
Benzodiazepines (often called benzos) can help some people manage anxiety, sleep or withdrawal symptoms. Some people are prescribed them by a doctor, and others buy them from the street. However you...
The festive season can bring joy, excitement and connection. It can also bring stress, loneliness, anxiety, grief and pressure. If you are finding things hard right now, you are not alone. Many people...
Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by helping someone breathe again, buying vital time until an ambulance arrives. It is safe, simple to...
The festive season can bring changes to the way drugs are supplied and sold. This can happen for lots of reasons, including travel disruption, dealers changing suppliers, or substances being cut...
The festive season often comes with more social events, family gatherings and opportunities to drink. For many people this can feel enjoyable, although for others it can bring pressure, cravings or...
Christmas can be a time of joy and celebration, although for many people it can also be complicated. Loneliness, money worries, strained relationships, low mood, grief and pressure to take part in...
Christmas can feel different for everyone. For some people it is all about celebrations, laughter and connection. For others it can bring stress, loneliness, financial pressure, relationship worries...
The festive season means different things to different people. For many, it is a chance to relax, catch up with family and friends, and take a break from the day-to-day pressures of life. For others...
Hi, I'm Vicky and I joined the Wirral Ways team over the summer to help grow and develop their training offer. My role is split across Wirral Ways and the Public Health Team within Wirral Council. I...
By Tegan Griffiths, Senior Health Care Assistant, Wirral Ways Hi my name’s Tegan and I’m a Senior Healthcare Assistant working across the Wirral. I spend a lot of my time talking to people about HIV...
Working with veterans across the Wirral is a huge privilege for both of us. Every story is different. Every person brings their own experiences, strengths and challenges. As a veteran myself, I know...
We are issuing this alert following new reports of ketamine contaminated with medetomidine in the North West. This includes several confirmed positive test-strip results and multiple laboratory...
On 18 November, we welcomed friends from Coolmine Recovery in Dublin, Victory Outreach in Liverpool and Liverpool Homeless Football Club for a brilliant day of football, connection and community on...
This week, we were proud to welcome The Hepatitis C Trust to Wirral Ways for a special celebration of our achievement of Hep C micro elimination. We are the first large drug and alcohol service in the...
We’re really excited to share that Wirral Ways is launching a brand new weekly women’s netball group at New Ferry Village Hall. We’d love you to be part of it! These sessions are open to women who use...
Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at Wirral Ways. Every day, people give their time, skills, and lived experience to help others feel heard, welcomed, and supported. It is a powerful...
More than 500 people came together on Thursday 23 October 2025 for Wirral’s first ever Recovery Festival; a powerful day of art, music, storytelling, and celebration that shone a light on recovery...
It’s easy for drinking to become part of your routine — a glass of wine after work, a few pints at the weekend, or a drink to unwind after a stressful day. But even small changes can make a big...
Babs Gallimore – Community Ally Award For nearly eight years, Babs Gallimore has been a cornerstone of Wirral’s recovery community. Her journey with Wirral Ways began from a deeply personal place —...
We’re proud to announce that Wirral Ways is a lead partner in Recovery Fest 2025 – a brand new festival bringing people together to celebrate recovery, challenge stigma, and showcase the creativity...
Freshers’ Week is a big moment – new friends, new places, new freedom. It’s all about enjoying yourself and making the most of student life. But with so much going on, it’s easy to get carried away...
More than 30 people from Wirral Ways, including staff, volunteers, and people who use the service, travelled to Wolverhampton last weekend to take part in the UK Recovery Walk 2025. The...
At Wirral Ways, we believe in people – in their potential, their resilience, and their ability to grow. Few stories capture that belief better than Jenny’s. Jenny first joined Wirral Ways as a Service...
After years of battling addiction and relapse, Sue reached a turning point—a moment where things could either continue as they were or change for good. And for the first time in a long time, she chose...
Before she found support through Wirral Ways and the Discovery Academy, Tara was in a dark place—physically and emotionally. Watch Tara's Story here: https://youtu.be/wz0BgxnWadM “I was very, very...
On Saturday 9 August 2025, Wirral Ways joined the celebrations at Wirral Pride in the Victoria Quarter of New Brighton—a vibrant day filled with colour, music, and community spirit. Now in its fourth...
For 28 years, Rachel lived in the grip of addiction. She never thought recovery was possible—until everything changed just 18 months ago. Watch Rachel's Story here: https://youtu.be/wz0BgxnWadM “I'd...
A woman who spent eight years homeless — including living in her car and in hostels — has represented England at the Wroclaw Cup, part of the internationally recognised Homeless World Cup, held in...
A pioneering partnership between Wirral Ways and the Wirral Integrated Respiratory Team has won a prestigious national award for improving healthcare access and outcomes for people who use drugs or...
Yesterday marked a moment of pride and celebration as we watched 10 individuals graduate from our Discovery Academy Community Rehab Programme — a transformative journey that began 12 weeks ago with a...
On Tuesday 10th June, women from across Wirral came together at Market Wells for an evening of learning, laughter and looking after their health. Hosted by Wirral Ways, the Women’s STI Educational...
As part of Alcohol Awareness Week, we were proud to team up with YMCA (Wirral) to host a brilliant community football tournament at Birkenhead Youth Club — and what a day it was! The sun was blazing...
At 40 years old, Laura from the Wirral is about to take on one of the UK’s toughest endurance feats – the Three Peaks Challenge – all in the name of hope, healing, and the power of recovery. For the...
Twelve months ago, Claire was at a crossroads. She had just completed a stay in residential rehab in Bradford and returned home to Wirral with a heavy mix of hope, fear, and uncertainty. What would...
Yesterday, we gathered at Nightingales Café, Birkenhead to honour the 29 incredible individuals who bring life, light, and lasting change to Wirral Ways through volunteering. This wasn’t just a...
Change Grow Live’s Wirral Ways becomes the largest drug and alcohol treatment service in the UK to achieve Hepatitis C micro-elimination. Over the last year, 100% of people in treatment at Wirral Ways...
This past weekend, Wirral Ways was proud to team up with colleagues from across Merseyside to support the Welfare Team at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sefton Park, Liverpool. The event welcomed...
This year’s Wirral Public Health Annual Report 2024/25 casts a powerful spotlight on addiction – not just as an individual struggle, but as a public health issue that affects whole communities. Among...
Late-Night Clinic Supports Vulnerable People in Wirral The Health Huddle is helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community access the sexual health care and support they need — when they...
We know that reaching out for support around drugs or alcohol can be difficult – especially when language, culture, or trust in services can be a barrier. That’s why Wirral Ways is proud to be working...
At Wirral Ways, a unique team is going above and beyond to re-engage people who have dropped out of drug treatment – and it’s making a big difference. Set up in late 2022, the Reengagement Team works...
Cuckooing is a serious form of exploitation. It happens when criminals take over the home of a vulnerable person—often by force, threats or manipulation—and use it to carry out illegal activities...
We’re excited to share a brand-new video resource featuring Dr Aadil Shah and Nurse Sara Florez from the Wirral Ways team, offering a clear and informative look at Buvidal—an alternative treatment...
Meet some of the brilliant faces behind our Birkenhead Opiate Team. When we snapped this photo, several team members were already out in the community—doing what they do best: offering compassionate...
Last week, we were proud to host a launch event for our brand-new HIV & Sexual Health Partnership with the incredible team at Sahir House. The event brought together staff, volunteers, and...
Not all journeys to recovery start at a service hub—and that’s where our Outreach Team steps in. Working at the heart of the community, they take support directly to people who might otherwise...
This International Women's Day, we caught up with Sarah McIntyre, our Women’s Wellbeing Coordinator. Sarah's passion and commitment to supporting women in our community are truly inspiring. In her...
For most of his adult life, Steven battled addiction. Crack, heroin, and benzodiazepines consumed 28 years, leaving him with chronic health conditions, stints of homelessness, fractured relationships...
A 57-year-old veteran found crucial support from the Flourish Hub at a time of extreme crisis. Recently evicted and facing homelessness, he arrived at Wirral Ways feeling anxious and overwhelmed. He...
Today, we had the privilege of welcoming several key figures from Wirral Council to Wirral Ways. It was an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the work we do every day to support people in their...
“I started drinking when I was 12. It got even worse when lockdown hit – that’s when I knew I needed to ask for help,” says Peter, reflecting on the moment they realised things had to change. With...
January is a time for fresh starts, and for many people in Wirral, it’s been an opportunity to rethink their relationship with alcohol. Dry January, run by Alcohol Change UK, encourages people to take...
“I never thought I was drinking too much – until it all got too much,” says Becky, reflecting on her life before recovery. It was a concerned relative, who works at Wirral Ways, who first suggested...
At Wirral Ways, joint working between criminal justice agencies and local recovery services is helping people move away from crime and into treatment, support, and recovery. Thanks to targeted funding...
When Hugh arrived at Wirral Ways one Tuesday morning, it was clear that urgent support was needed. Brought in by the police after being asked to leave his mother’s home, Hugh – who uses a wheelchair...
Drink spiking is a serious and dangerous crime. It can leave people vulnerable to harm, and it’s more common than you might think. Whether you’re heading out with friends or supporting someone who’s...
Avoiding triggers can feel like one of the hardest parts of recovery—especially in the early days. But learning to spot them, plan ahead, and make small changes can make a big difference in staying on...
If you’ve started cutting down or stopped using drugs or alcohol, cravings can be one of the toughest things to deal with. But here’s the good news—they won’t last forever, and you don’t have to face...
Opening up about your drug or alcohol use can feel overwhelming—but you're not alone. It’s one of the bravest steps you can take on your recovery journey, and being honest with someone you trust can...
Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose—and it can save lives. If you or someone you know uses opioids (like heroin or methadone), carrying Naloxone could...
Overdoses can happen quickly and unexpectedly—but knowing what to do can save a life. If someone around you overdoses, your calm response and quick actions could make all the difference. How to Help...
If you’ve had a relapse, you’re not alone—and you’re not a failure. Recovery isn’t a straight line. It’s a journey with highs, lows, and everything in between. A relapse is just a bump in the road...
What's Happening? Illicit drugs are regularly being laced with powerful synthetic drugs like Fentanyl, Nitazenes, and Xylazine, which are much stronger than heroin and linked to rising overdoses...
Last Updated on 25 August 2026