POLICE and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin visited Theatr Colwyn on Abergele Road in Colwyn Bay, home to the Oriel Colwyn photography gallery to meet the team behind Recovery in Focus, a therapeutic photography initiative supporting people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction across North Wales.
The project is delivered by multi award-winning organisation Eternal Media through funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Pathways to Recovery Grant, a new funding stream designed to support local services delivering recovery support for individuals affected by substance use, as well as those at risk of developing dependency across north Wales. The fund aims to provide meaningful activities that promote stability, wellbeing, and positive outcomes for individuals in, or working towards recovery.
During the visit, the PCC heard directly from participants about how the initiative is helping them rebuild confidence, reconnect with others, and strengthen their long-term recovery while reducing pressure on public services.
Recovery in Focus is a 10-week therapeutic photography course designed by people with lived experience of addiction, for people working to build and sustain long-term recovery. The initiative provides a safe, creative, and supportive environment where participants can explore their experiences, develop skills and reduce the risk of relapse.
Weekly sessions combine photography, discussion, and reflection, giving participants the opportunity to tell their recovery stories through images. The current cohort may also have the opportunity to showcase their work at the House of Commons in London.
One attendee, Janine Jones, praised Eternal Media and the impact of the PCC’s funding.
She said: “It’s helped me get out, learn new skills, and connect with people who understand what I’m going through. The support is something I didn’t know was there, and it’s helping me stay on the right track while learning more about myself and my recovery.”
Marcus Fair MBE, founder of Eternal Media, spent 25 years battling heroin and crack cocaine addiction, caught in a cycle of homelessness and repeated prison sentences. It was during his final time in prison that he broke free from that cycle and conceived the idea for Eternal Media – work that would earn himself an MBE for Services to Addiction Recovery, to Ex-offenders and Tackling Homelessness.
The charity works with offenders, ex-offenders, and those at risk of offending, focusing on people seeking, or in recovery from addiction. By offering support, education, volunteering and training opportunities in filmmaking and other media formats, Eternal Media provides a safe space for participants to explore their creativity with like-minded people at different stages of recovery.
Marcus Fair MBE credited the creation of Eternal Media with saving his life.
He said: “I started Eternal Media as a ‘life after addiction’ project because nothing like it existed. I thought to myself, ‘If it’s having such a profound effect on keeping me clean and out of prison, it could do the same for others.’ And it does, day in, day out.”
“The confidence you see in participants is incredible. Many have spent decades isolated, and to see them now taking part in group sessions is a real breakthrough.
“This is what makes Eternal Media so rewarding. it’s given me a primary purpose which is to stay clean and help others, just as I was once helped’.”
Expected outcomes include improved confidence and self-esteem, stronger coping skills, reduced risk of relapse, enhanced social networks, increased engagement with ongoing recovery support, and progress to becoming work ready.
The programme directly supports the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan for North Wales by helping vulnerable individuals at higher risk of harm, offending, or reoffending to stabilise earlier in their recovery journey. By reducing isolation and crisis behaviours, Recovery in Focus contributes to safer communities across the region.
PCC Andy Dunbobbin said: “Substance misuse is a key driver of crime, harm, and vulnerability. Programmes like Recovery in Focus provide early, practical support that helps people rebuild their lives, strengthens community safety and reduces pressure on frontline services. This is exactly what the Pathways to Recovery Grant was designed to achieve.
“We must listen to people, their journey is unique, and only they truly know what they are going through. It’s vital that their voices are heard and understood if we are to provide the right support.”
