A GROUP in Barrow dedicated to improving lives ruined by addiction has celebrated its work in the community.

The Well Communities Project in Dalton Road aims to help those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.

Dozens of special guests, dignitaries and users of the group came together on Wednesday at an open day to praise its achievements.

The group was founded by David Higham, who spent the majority of his life struggling with drugs or locked up in prison.

He said: "I've been in addiction since the age of 12. From the age of 16 to 37 I spent my time in prison. My cycle was drugs, drugs, drugs."

After being released in 2007, Mr Higham went on to found The Well, which now offers recovery programmes, housing, and social clubs for recovering addicts.

Mr Higham wanted to provide a service for people to cling on to, to stop them sliding back into drug use, or criminality after leaving prison.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria, Peter McCall, has been a strong advocate for the group, contracting them to work with ex-offenders in Cumbria.

He said: "The reason I'm really keen to support The Well is because it's a group of folk who set up to help themselves."

Earlier this year the PCC committed £96,000 to support the group's development in Barrow.

"It costs something like £48,000 per year to keep someone in jail. If we keep two people out of jail we've more than got our money back.

The group was keen to emphasise the benefits the wider community received after addicts kicked the habit.

Councillor Michael Cassells, representing Furness Carers, said: "It was heart-warming, very encouraging to hear the support that is available to families."

The Well is committed to growing through working in partnership with organisations across the area such as the Barrow Borough Council, G4S Health and CADAS.

Ged Pickersgill, 46, used the services at The Well to overcome his own addiction. He now works for the organisation as a volunteer co-ordinator, and spoke about the value of their partnership approach.

He said: "We couldn't do what we do without the support that we get. It's about what we can all bring together in a partnership."

Related links:

A mum said goodbye to her drug-dealing past after working with The Well

Read about the £96k boost handed to The Well from the PCC

Drug rehabilitation services in Barrow given half-a-million to combat addiction