03/04/2026
Local charity ROAR has created an installation themed ADDICTION // RECOVERY in The .
About the artists // exhibits:
Michael Holly ‘Prisoner in Your Own Mind’ and ‘Helmet of Salvation’
“I have been in active addiction for 25 years, and through all of this I have lost myself, pushed my family away and developed so many bad habits. Since being in ROAR I have learned to love myself and life again.
The first artwork I did is about being a prisoner in your own mind and how them negative thoughts and actions keep you locked inside your own head. The longer you stay locked in the worse the addiction gets.
Helmet of Salvation represents the freedom it gives you when you wear it and choose to live life a different way.”
Olly Poole ‘Doors Exit to Hell’
“This piece depicts the brutal, harsh reality of life in addiction. The three figures at the bottom show a man, woman and child. I thought it was important to show addiction does not discriminate. Throughout my time in ROAR a common expression used is "It’s like living in Hell". The door represents what is waiting for you on the other side, a world of chaos, pain and guilt.”
Josh Mellor ‘The Mannequins’
“The Mannequin represents the savageness and desperation of addiction. My addiction led me down to new lows and even when I’d hit the bottom there was still always further to fall.
Since coming into ROAR I have managed to find a way back up to the top, where a beautiful new horizon is in clear view and I can travel towards it, towards a life worth living. I have discovered my true self and learned that there is much more substance to life than substances and alcohol.”
Christie Bratherton ‘Road to Recovery’ and ‘BACK TO ME’.
“After 17 years of addiction, Reach Out And Recover has helped me save my life and learn how to live clean and sober. I have my family back, and they have me. The QR code plays my song ‘BACK TO ME’, which I wrote for my mum.”
For more about ROAR and to support its great visit www.reachoutandrecover.org
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