Wolverhampton ready to become a hub of celebration for recovery as it prepares to host special walking event
The streets of Wolverhampton are set to become a centre of celebration as the city gets ready to host a major walking event around recovery.
Wolverhampton will be hosting the 2025 UK Recovery Walk on Saturday, September 13, having won a national vote to be the host of the annual event, which aims to remind the world that recovery is possible and celebrate those who have made the recovery from alcohol or drugs.
Each year, a different city or town is selected to host the National Recovery Walk, which includes a public march and a celebratory Recovery Village, and is endorsed by the UK-wide human rights charity Faces and Voices of Recovery UK (FAVOR UK), which advocates for and empowers people with living and lived experience of alcohol and drugs.
Coming to the Black Country for the first time, organisers have said the Recovery Walk 2025 promises to be a vibrant, family-friendly day filled with live entertainment, community stalls, and a powerful show of solidarity for those on the journey of recovery.
Local events company Dangerous Sheep is coordinating the Recovery Village at no cost in celebration of the event, promising it will be an unforgettable day for all to enjoy.
The Mayor of Wolverhampton Council, Craig Collingswood, met with members of the organising committee and partner organisations in West Park, where the walk will begin and end, yesterday (August 4) and spoke about the importance of the event.
He said: “We are immensely proud to be the host city for the 2025 UK Recovery Walk.
“It provides an opportunity for people and partners across Wolverhampton to showcase our city’s commitment to promoting health and wellbeing, and our city’s commitment to supporting those on their recovery journey."
Participants will have the chance to explore some of Wolverhampton’s most iconic landmarks, including the statue of Lady Wulfruna outside St Peter’s Collegiate Church, the Wolverhampton Art Gallery, the statue of Prince Albert in Queen Square, and Molineux Stadium, home of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The city’s successful bid to host the walk was led by the Good Shepherd and Wolverhampton Voluntary and Community Action’s Service User Involvement Team (SUIT), in partnership with Wolverhampton Council and Recovery Near You.
Together they have formed the Wolverhampton Recovery Walk Partnership and are determined to deliver a memorable and meaningful event for everyone who attends.
Good Shepherd CEO Tom Hayden said: “Hosting the national recovery walk in Wolverhampton is a big win for our city.
"It’s a chance to show off what makes us great, celebrate our communities, and highlight how important recovery is.
"If you’ve been to FAVOR UK’s walks before, you know how powerful and inspiring they are. Bringing this event to Wolverhampton in 2025, and for the first time in the Black Country, is truly amazing."
Annemarie Ward, CEO of FAVOR UK said: “Every year, our Recovery Walk reminds the world that recovery is not only possible but thriving.
"We come together as individuals in recovery, families, allies, and professionals to celebrate lives reclaimed from addiction and to honour the memory of those we have lost.
“Wolverhampton, with its rich culture and strong recovery community, is the perfect backdrop for this year’s walk. We can’t wait to walk with pride with you all on September 13.”
The Wolverhampton Recovery Walk Partnership said: “We can’t wait to welcome you all to Wolverhampton.
"We’ve been working hard to make sure the event is a success and demonstrates the fantastic community spirit of Wulfrunians.
“We promise the day will be a great celebration of recovery, resilience and hope whilst also being a brilliant day out for all the family to enjoy.”
