One Network. Every Borough. Shared Recovery.
About the GMRN
The Greater Manchester Recovery Network (GMRN) brings together people, services, and communities across all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester to strengthen the collective response to addiction. Our aim is simple: shared learning, shared knowledge, shared recovery.
The network unites everyone involved in the fight against addiction stigma—
- people with lived experience,
- people currently using services,
- treatment and rehabilitation providers,
- community organisations, and
- professionals working in substance misuse and wider addiction fields.
By connecting these voices, we work together to improve the quality of support available and the experience of everyone on their recovery journey.
Powered by Lived Experience
People with lived experience are at the heart of the GMRN.
Your insight, your journey, and your voice guide the direction of the network.
Whether you are in recovery, supporting someone who is, or have moved forward in life after addiction, you belong here. Your experience holds value—and it drives real change in how services develop, collaborate, and innovate across Greater Manchester.
What we do
🟩 Share Knowledge
We bring together perspectives from lived experience, professionals, peer support, research, and community work to build a shared understanding of what recovery looks like—and how services can better support it.
🟦 Connect People
The network creates opportunities to link with others across the region who are committed to improving addiction support. From service providers to individuals in recovery, everyone has a place in the GMRN.
🟧 Improve Services
Through collaboration, honest conversations, and real feedback from people who know what recovery requires, we help shape better pathways, reduce barriers, and strengthen the support available in every borough.
🟥 Challenge Stigma
We actively work to eliminate stigma around addiction by amplifying lived‑experience voices, promoting understanding, and celebrating recovery within our communities.
🟪 Bring People Together Across GM
As part of our commitment to regional collaboration, the GMRN hosts events across all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester.
These sessions bring together lived‑experience voices, professionals, services, and community partners to share learning, strengthen relationships, and build a more connected recovery community.
Everyone is welcome—every event is designed to create space for real conversation and shared progress.
Who can Join?
The GMRN is open to:
- People with lived experience of addiction or recovery
- People currently using services
- Substance misuse and addiction services (statutory or voluntary)
- Community groups, peer mentors, and recovery organisations
- Anyone committed to reducing stigma and improving support
If you have a passion for recovery—personally or professionally—you’re welcome.
Why It Matters
Addiction affects every borough, every neighbourhood, and every community. By working together rather than in isolation, we can create a stronger, more compassionate, and more effective recovery network across Greater Manchester.
When services collaborate and people with lived experience lead the conversation, recovery becomes more accessible, more responsive, and more human.
Join the GMRN
Whether you want to share your experience, learn from others, contribute to service improvement, or simply stay connected with what’s happening across Greater Manchester, you are invited to join the network.
Together, we can build a region where recovery is supported, understood, and celebrated.
One Network. Every Borough. Shared Recovery.
To help us stay connected and organised, Acorn Recovery is supporting the GMRN by coordinating planning meetings and hosting this website.
Acorn is Greater Manchester’s longest-established lived experience recovery group, founded in Stockport in 1997. It’s a registered charity and part of the Calico Group—a not-for-profit group of companies based in Lancashire and operating across the North West.
Contact Us
Are you part of a recovery group, peer network, or service in Greater Manchester?
Get in touch to add your group to our network, share your work, or help us build a directory of support across the region.
Together, we can make sure no one is left out.