The Domino Effect campaign was coproduced with 7 inspirational volunteers from Manchester Change Grow Live and Inspired Youth which was designed to raise awareness around generational addiction and promote the transformative power of recovery. After months of creative workshops, ideas development and film shoots, the campaign journey came to a fantastic crescendo at an impactful premiere screening in the heart of Manchester at 53two. The event was brimming with people including recovery professionals, commissioners, key stakeholders and the family members of those involved in the creation of the campaign The atmosphere was amazing, everyone was buzzing with anticipation for the show.
On display as you entered the venue there were a series of posters featuring the voices and images of volunteers sharing key messages with the world around recovery. Their aim was simple, get the message out there that there is help and there is hope, recovery is possible. The audience was welcomed by Paul Haley National Service User Involvement Lead for Change Grow Live who shared elements of his own story, how he turned his own life around, and why he was inspired to create platforms for lived experience like The Domino Effect to help and inspire others.
Kev Curran from Inspired Youth who produced the films said it had been an inspiration to meet the volunteers behind the films and sharing their stories was an honour. “Projects like these are authentic, they genuinely give people a platform to have their voices heard” he said. “The team behind The Domino Effect films have poured their hearts out in the hope their story can help to inspire somebody to get help”The crowd gave the volunteers a warm reception and rousing applause after giving heartfelt and emotional speeches from the stage about their journeys and their passion for making a difference in the community. There were certainly some tears in the room and emotions were in full flow, an immense amount of pride and joy filled the atmosphere.
It was an excellent event brought together by the Team at Manchester Change Grow Live and the feedback was incredible. The volunteers did an exceptional job of public speaking, many for who it was the first time, certainly on this level to such a big crowd. It was certainly a memory we will all keep for some time.
