CARRICKFERGUS CORNERSTONE
ADULT ADDICTION GROUP
c/0 31 Lancasterian Street
Carrickfergus
BT38 7AB
Tel: 07598 746742
TRUSTEES REPORT 2023 - 2024
Charitable Pur
oses o
Carrick
er
Us Cornerstone
To foster an atmosphere of mutual support among adult5 who are experiencing or
recovering from the effects of substance abuse and addiction in the Mid and East Antrim
Borough (hereinafter called the area of benefit) and facilitate access to premises / meeting
facilities.
To provide information, training, signposting, guidance and support to the inhabitants of
Mid and East Antrim Borough on issues such as alcohol, drugs and addiction.
How we achieved thls in 2023
2024
Carrickfergus Cornerstone continued to meet weekly in the Carrickfergus Community Forum
premises where the group were able to meet in a safe, central venue to talk about their
addiction issues. This was done in a non-judgemental setting giving members a chance to
help each other while offering a safe place to come helping to remove the stigma that is
attached to addiction while offering a place to come to tackle social isolation.
The group also has an allotment which is there for all members of the group. The allotment
is used for occupational therapy and occupying the mind away from their addiction. The
allotment is also used for group members to just chat and relax with a up of tea when the
weather allows.
Carrickfergus Cornerstone also offered one to one recovery coaching where members who
are struggling can avail of private sessions. The recovery coaching is also available to people
with addiction i55ues who are referred to the group by the community addiction service Nl,
GP'S or word of mouth from existing group members. These 5e55ions offer clients a way to
Registered as a Charity in Northern Ireland NIC 105477
Mid &East
Antrim
ASCE
HAUFAX FOUNDATION
Borough Council
for Northern Ireland

take some control of their own recovery through mutual respect and gentle advice. For new
clients these sessions also offer a chance to join in with the group offering long term help
from others in the same situation.
Our group has a telephone line for members to use I they need to talk privately outside of
meeting times when they are alone and cravings of their addiction are strong. This phone
number can also be used for other people suffering with addiction who are interested in
coming to the group or just to enquire about a few one to one sessions or hear what we do.
The group went on a best practice visit to the Armagh Planetarium. This offered the group
members a chance to socialise in an unfamiliar setting which was both educational and
enjoyable with the day finishing off with a light meal. This activity was a way to promote
wellbeing and aid good mental health. The group also had an end of year celebration which
is to congratulate members for their past year of sobriety and instil pride and
encouragement. This takes place in a drug and alcohol free environment where we also
hand out certificate5 to members for any courses they have completed in the last year.
During the year 2023 - 2024 our group secured funding from the Halifax Foundation, Impact
Network, Mid & East Antrim Council and Ascert. This enabled out group to continue to help
the people of Carrickfergus Whitehead & Greenisland and the outlaying towns as we strive
to tackle addiction, Social isolation and mental wellbeing. We hope to continue to host
speakers on the recovery from addiction enrol members on relevant courses and maintain
and make use of the allotment in the year ahead.
Registered as a Charity in Northern Ireland NIC 105477
++*
Mid&East
Antrim
ASCE
HAUFAX FOUNDATION
orou9h CounEil
fDr Northern Ireland