A leading drug and alcohol support group hopes its Hangover Free New Year party will help highlight the positive side of Dundee’s recovery community.
The event, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the city, took place at Discovery Point on Thursday night.
Revellers were treated to a range of entertainment, including a tour around the museum, live music, mocktails, games and a cèilidh to gather new friends and auld acquaintances alike.
Sharon Brand, of Recovery Dundee – who organised the event, said: “We wanted to do something to bring the recovery community together and show you can have a party and a good time without drugs or alcohol.
“A lot of people in the community can feel isolated at this time of year and it can really be quite difficult – an event like this shows that it’s possible to enjoy the festive period in a different way.
“It’s not just about people who are in recovery though, we’ve got all sorts of people coming and it’s a great chance to make new connections and really just a chance to meet up in a nice place and still enjoy yourself without having to wake up with a hangover in the morning.”
The group hopes the party will become an annual event and plans to hold the next gathering on New Year’s Eve 2018.
This year’s gathering was made possible thanks to funding from Dundee City Council.
Convener of the authority’s development committee, Lynne Short, said it was important to help those in recovery feel part of their community.
Cllr Short, who also took part in September’s Recovery Walk, said: “Glasgow has the tagline ‘People make Glasgow’ but for me, Dundee should use ‘Communities make Dundee’.
“Whether it’s where you live, sharing joint ideals or a group like the recovery community, events like this are so important to bring communities closer and highlight each others’ success.
“For people going through recovery, it is so important to have that support and also to show the positive image of people coming through the other side.”
