Welcome to our next Weekly Bulletin. If you would like us to include something on our weekly news, please get in touch by emailing [email protected].
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mick Hirst, UK SMART Recovery volunteer facilitator.
Mick facilitated SMART meetings twice a week at Atlantic Recovery Community Service in Dudley. Ever since qualifying as a facilitator ten years ago, Mick was a huge advocate of SMART and supported countless people who attended his meetings, inspiring others to become facilitators themselves. He gave his time and energy tirelessly to anyone he could help and in 2024 won a Highly Commended Award in the Volunteer of the Year category of our first Volunteer Recognition Awards Scheme.
Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts are with his wife Pat and family, and everyone else who loved him.
Mick is going to be greatly missed by us all.
New Meetings
New Weekly SMART Recovery Meeting, Stockton on Tees
New Weekly SMART Recovery Meeting, Edinburgh
New Weekly SMART Recovery Meeting, North Solihull
New Weekly Family and Friends Meeting, Warrington
New Weekly Family and Friends Meeting, Blackwood
New Fortnightly Family and Friends Meeting, Newport
New Weekly Family and Friends Meeting, Online
Welcome Chris Paling – UK SMART Veterans Programme Lead
We’re thrilled to welcome Chris Paling as the new Veteran Lead for England and Wales at SMART Recovery UK. Chris is a former Royal Navy serviceman with extensive experience as an addiction practitioner and equine facilitator for human development. His background in group facilitation and harm-reduction practice uniquely equips him to support veterans on their recovery journeys.
As the UK Lead for the SMART Veterans Programme, Chris brings both professional expertise and lived understanding of military culture to the delivery of SMART Recovery UK’s evidence-based 4-Point Programme. He is dedicated to creating psychologically safe, non-judgemental, peer-led spaces where veterans can build motivation, manage urges, strengthen problem-solving skills, and develop more balanced, fulfilling lives beyond service.
Chris’s approach is rooted in harm reduction, self-management, mutual aid, and respect for the resilience of the armed forces community, ensuring veterans have the support and guidance they need to thrive.
Please join us in giving Chris a warm welcome to the SMART Recovery UK family!
Recruitment
UK SMART Recovery is hiring a Community Coordinator for the North East & Yorkshire! This is a rare chance to support volunteers, strengthen local partnerships, and help people successfully manage addictive behaviours through our evidence-based 4-Point Programmes.
We’re looking for someone with experience in addiction recovery or mental health, strong facilitation skills, and a passion for creating safe, empowering spaces for growth. If you’re motivated, empathetic, and ready to make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Information on the Role can be found here – https://smartrecovery.org.uk/2026/01/08/we-are-hiring-jan26/