Recovery Walk Scotland has been praised by an Erskine woman for its positive impact on people who are recovering from addiction.
Suzie Baines runs a small initiative that looks at helping people grow and focus on developing their inner strengths.
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The walk - which aims to change perceptions of people recovering from alcohol and drug use - takes place in Paisley on Saturday and is hosted by the Scottish Recovery Consortium.
It is expected to attract around up to 4000 people and will be a day filled with a festival village and live music, along with a chance to build a support network.
Suzie, 51, has volunteered at the Recovery Walk in the past as has travelled the length and breadth of Scotland to help people who attended the event.
Speaking about the impact and the importance of the walk, Suzie said: “I started volunteering at the Recovery Walk Scotland a few years ago now and it was something that a friend had let me know about.
“I went along and I couldn’t believe the impact that it had on people to see them all united. It was truly moving to see and something I have never seen or felt before”
“After first volunteering to help, I was asked to come back and this is when I decided to bring my organisation - called You Always Matter - along to talk to people about what it is all about.
“I don’t take You Always Matter along to promote it, never, I just want it to be there for people if they choose to come and talk to me.
She says the day is very symbolic for people as they all come together, and anyone going along can expect to come away more informed and educated about what addiction can do to people.
Suzie said: “It is a day that is all about each other and being there together with people who are experiencing what you are experiencing.
“It is all about community, compassion and celebration and it really taps into the feelings of everyone there.
“People who go feel that they are part of something, a community, almost like a social change as everyone wants to better themselves.
“If you are going along for the first time, you will undoubtedly walk away better educated and learn more about how addiction has driven people's life.”
Visit scottishrecoveryconsortium.org for more information on Saturday's event and the procession route.
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