New alcohol and drug support service launches for Bolton community

The service, which starts on 1 April 2026, will be led by the national charity Waythrough, which provides free health and wellbeing advice, information and support through its wide network of community services across England, in partnership with Community Led Initiatives CIC.

Better Days Bolton has been commissioned by Bolton Council. Its support offer will be designed around the individual people who need to access it and will include education and awareness raising, harm reduction, care coordination, clinical treatment, therapeutic care, access to ongoing recovery support and digital interventions like DrinkCoach.

One key aim of the new service is to take a whole community approach to recovery, working with other community and voluntary partners across Bolton to increase inclusion and access to both the new and more longstanding support systems available. Family members of people engaging with the service will also be offered support.

Rachel Savchenko, Director of Services for the North West at Waythrough, said: “We are proud to be building on the work of the Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust, the previous provider of substance use support services for the people of Bolton.

“At Waythrough, we know that people and their problems don’t fit into neatly labelled boxes. We’ve developed prevention advice, treatment and recovery pathways and models that allow us to welcome people through our doors without judgement, no matter how messy life may feel. We’ll be here, ready to meet them, whenever they feel ready to meet us, to face their challenges together.”

Cllr Jackie Schofield, Executive Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing at Bolton Council said:

“Alcohol dependency and drug addiction not only cause challenges for people directly involved in consuming the substances, but also affects their family, friends, and people in the local community.

“This new service offers support to raise awareness around the complexities that people experience, providing advice that prevents escalating problems and negative impacts, facilitating long term recovery so those affected can live healthier and happier lives.

“If you are affected by this issue, please ask for help – it is a free and accessible service for all adults from across Bolton, so a simple phone call or reach out for help could make all the difference.”

Peter Atherton, Chief Executive Officer for Community Led Initiatives (CLI) said: “As a lived experience recovery organisation, CLI is committed to supporting people from all communities to overcome their challenges and build a life in which they can flourish.

“We are excited to be working alongside Waythrough in the new Bolton service and we are committed to making recovery a reality in Bolton.”

Emma Deering, Head of Operations for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Addiction Services said: “We are working closely with local partners and Waythrough to ensure a smooth and well-planned transition, with continuity of care as our highest priority.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our service users in Bolton for engaging with our service. It has been a privilege to support you, and we wish you every success in your ongoing recovery journey.”

Residents of Bolton who have previous or current lived experience of accessing support for their alcohol and drug use have worked together with Waythrough to design an inclusive and accessible identity for Better Days Bolton, from the visual brand to the physical premises.

The service has also committed to collaborating with and calling upon the experience established within local statutory and voluntary organisations through strong partnership working.

From 1 April 2026, people will be able to access support from Better Days Bolton through www.waythrough.org.uk. The service will be based at the Queen Street entrance of Le Mans Crescent. For general enquiries ahead of the service launch, contact info@betterdaysbolton.org.uk.