On Tuesday 24th March, The Green House in Victoria Park will open its doors for Art of Recovery Portsmouth, a powerful celebration of creativity, compassion and solidarity at the heart of our city. 

Running from 1–3PM, this exhibition brings together people, stories and artwork that challenge stigma and honour Portsmouth’s commitment to becoming an Inclusive Recovery City. 

This exhibition is curated by Creatful in collaboration with Project W and supported by Portsmouth City Council. Work is well underway to ensure the exhibition is shaped by the voices and creativity of people in recovery and people supporting people in recovery across the city.

Nancy has led the creative group at Project W since its launch in 2024, supporting women experiencing addiction and homelessness who often face multiple disadvantages including mental ill health, domestic abuse and financial hardship. Project W offers a women-only space every Wednesday and Thursday where women can safely access a wide range of support, and this award-winning service is transforming the outlook for women in Portsmouth with evidenced and increasing social value. We’re incredibly honoured to contribute to its impact and to stand alongside the women who shape it.

Over the past months, we have invited our Creatful groups, Project W, Ambition Portsmouth, Society of St James, Bmore, and several other local recovery groups to create hundreds of ‘Hearts of Recovery’. Each heart is a small artwork representing the solidarity of our city for those facing substance and alcohol misuse, addiction and those in recovery. Together, these pieces will form a collective portrait of recovery at the exhibition.

Art of Recovery Portsmouth will be a gathering of people who believe in second chances, in the power of creative health, and in the importance of designing spaces where everyone feels they belong. It is a testament to what happens when organisations, communities and individuals come together with a shared purpose: to reduce stigma, celebrate resilience and make recovery a more visible branch of our collective social value.

Everyone is welcome to join us. Come and witness the creativity, courage and community that make Portsmouth an Inclusive Recovery City.