VOLUNTEERS and staff as part of Addaction’s Life Skills Week have been cleaning up Widemouth beach. Joined by Keep Britain Tidy, the group collected plastic rubbish and litter not only from Widemouth but also at Porthtowan beach near St Agnes, while learning about environmental issues such as micro plastics.

Addaction is the leading charity in the UK providing support to those affected by their own or someone else’s substance misuse.

The Cornwall Addaction team plans to carry out further beach cleans supported by Keep Britain Tidy before organising a programme of community beach cleans to carry out independently.

Life Skills Week is promoting and celebrating the work that takes place in the drug and alcohol service to support people to develop skills, confidence and support networks to help with moving away from addiction and into recovery.

Other activities throughout the week have included cookery sessions, allotment trials and a photography competition.

Addaction life skills co-ordinator, Rachel MacDermot, said: “These were great fun and an idea that came from clients who want to give back to the community and combat the stigma they so often receive. Showing recovery to be such a positive experience will also hopefully inspire others who are thinking about tackling their alcohol or drugs use to get in touch and realise there is some great support here for them.”

To find out more about Addaction visit www.addaction.org.uk. For local support and advice please call 0333 2000 325