Drug and alcohol recovery services in Wearside have secured more than £146,000 in council funding to help continue vital support for residents.

Sunderland City Council’s ruling Reform UK cabinet has approved a £146,265 grant to the Northern Engagement from Addiction into Recovery Foundation (NEARF) for 2026/27.

The lived-experience organisation supports people recovering from drug and alcohol problems, with the funding helping to provide services including group sessions, recovery coaching, outreach, crisis support and advice.

The grant is expected to fund a number of posts and activity around dependency awareness, advocacy recovery, outreach recovery, crisis support and more.

The funding was approved by councillors who met at City Hall.

placeholder image — The funding was approved by councillors who met at City Hall.

A report to the council’s cabinet said NEARF provides a vital service, helping residents to sustain their recovery and complementing commissioned treatment services.

The £146,265 grant will come from the drug and alcohol allocation within the Public Health Grant.

The cabinet report added failing to use funding to support NEARF would “create a gap in recovery provision within Sunderland” and could “result in the council being required to procure and fund its own recovery support provision for Sunderland in a limited provider market”.

It goes on: “NEARF plays an important role in Sunderland’s recovery system by providing peer-led support that complements commissioned treatment services.

“Not providing the grant funding would result in a significant gap in recovery support within Sunderland and reduce the availability of peer-led recovery services for residents.

“This could lead to increased demand for treatment services and other council and partner services and could undermine progress in improving long-term recovery outcomes across the city.”