People recovering from drug and alcohol problems in Northampton have shared their experiences through poetry in a new book celebrating creativity and personal progress.

The collection, Bridge Selected Poems Volume 2, was launched earlier this month at the Bridge recovery hub in Gold Street, where contributors read their work to fellow members, staff and supporters.

The event also welcomed Northampton's Bard, Ronnie Stanton, who performed his poem Tapestry and praised the collection.

He said: “The poets of Bridge have brought together such beautiful words. I feel lucky to have been at the launch, and to have heard them read in their own voices.”

Bridge is a lived-experience recovery organisation working with Turning Point, Family Support Link, Double Impact and Framework to deliver West Northamptonshire's Inspire drug and alcohol service.

Its weekly poetry group began online, allowing people to take part in recovery activities without travelling. It developed into a space where members could explore difficult feelings and build confidence.

Recovery worker Russ Heyworth organised the publication after seeing the quality of members' writing. A successful first volume encouraged further contributions, covering subjects ranging from substance use and recovery to football and Christmas.

Russ said: “It’s been interesting seeing people having a go and then finding they’ve got a bit of a voice.”

Among the contributors is Dee, who has been recovering from alcohol and cannabis use for two years.

She said: “Deciding to do this poetry has really opened that creative door for me. I found it’s had quite a therapeutic benefit.”

Recovery worker Sian Warr also described using poetry to turn painful experiences into something she could feel proud of.

Inspire operations manager David Sagar praised everyone involved, saying the book reflected the talent, resilience and community spirit at Gold Street.

The anthology celebrates the achievements of contributors who have discovered new ways to express themselves through writing.