A new support service has been launched in Bury to help men overcome drug addiction and behavioural problems.

The "FREE Project" is a peer support service to help men in the borough tackle substance misuse and behavioural issues and to help integrate those who are currently in the criminal justice system back into the community.

Funded by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust via Achieve Bury Recovery Fund, the project was launched by Bernard Shaw after his own experiences with addiction.

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Bernard left prison with addiction problems but has now been clean for six years.

He is now working to help men over 25 who are going through a similar situation.

The FREE Project has been supported by Bury’s floating support co-ordinator, Louise Jackson, and it is delivered by Gateway and Tom Woodcock who is director of treatment and recovery for Syncora.

Tom first worked with Bernard 20 years ago in treatment services and his support has given Bernard the inspiration to set up this service and to establish it as a community interest company.

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The support service is being delivered by volunteers who have lived experience of these issues and Bernard is looking to recruit more volunteers to expand the service into other areas of Greater Manchester.

Bernard’s journey started in 2017 when he was most recently released.

He said: “I’ve not used for six years because there were people there for me this time I got released. That’s why I want to do it.

“My passion is helping people who are coming out of prison because I didn’t have the opportunity of someone being there for me.

“I repeated the same cycle over and over again for 20 years.

“I want there to be something for people to access.”

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The service can be accessed via a referral from Achieve, Forest Bank Prison, probation and self-referral.

The project also hosts drop-in sessions at Manor House in Bury every Thursday from 10am to 12.30pm.

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