A PIONEERING centre for those recovering from substance addictions has opened in Bury.

ORB (One Recovery Bury), based in Tenterden Street, is an innovative drug and alcohol service, offering help and support to those with substance misuse problems.

It is designed to ensure individuals achieve their personal goals and a recovery programme that is suited to them, whether it is securing employment, volunteering, rebuilding family relationships and contributing to the community again.

A number of different activities and groups will be held every day at The Orb, aimed at fostering a cohesive atmosphere where people can work together.

A community fun day will take place at the ORB on Saturday to give something back to the community and to celebrate recovery. The event includes a "big balloon release" over Bury at 3.30pm.

Group leaders say that, by offering a non-judgemental and inspiring service, they aim to treat an individual’s primary addiction, as well as supporting the wider aspects of their life and help them recover from the grips of addiction.

Last week's official launch of the ORB centre was an opportunity for invited guests to have a look around, and was organised by service users, staff of One Recovery Bury, and students of "Bridging the Gap", an innovative pre-employment programme by ADS (Addiction Dependency Solutions) that will be run from the centre.

Guests included councillor Andrea Simpson, chairman of Bury Health & Wellbeing Board, and Pat Jones-Greenhalgh, Bury Council executive director of communities and wellbeing.

ADS chief executive Lady Rhona Bradley, said: "The ORB is a fantastic asset to the community of Bury. One Recovery Bury is a pioneering partnership that has come together in challenging times to provide a cost effective, integrated drug and alcohol treatment service for the people of Bury.

"ADS has a long history of providing first rate care for our clients, in Bury and further afield; alcohol and drug abuse has significant impact on health and wellbeing and wider detriments to society. We are committed to providing a service that places the client at the centre of what we deliver and promotes change in Bury.”

The ORB launch coincided with UK Recovery Month.