Spinning Beats and Hope: DJ Course Lights Up Recovery Journeys

In Bristol, a new DJ course is making a big difference for people who are recovering from addiction. The course was created by the Bristol Drugs Project and is led by DJ Milly, also known as Milly on Air. The idea for the course came after more sober events started happening in the city. The course lasts for six weeks and is designed to help former addicts reconnect with music and with other people. Alex Mac, one of the participants, said that joining the course was a fantastic part of his recovery. He explained that music makes him feel uplifted and brings out something positive inside him. Alex joined the course because he wanted to connect with others through music, which he believes is very important for anyone trying to recover from addiction. He had some experience with DJing before, but the course taught him new skills and inspired him to start making music again. Now, he even uploads his mixes to Instagram.

The DJ course is supported by volunteers from the Bristol Drugs Project’s Creative Communities group and Horizons, a partnership that helps people with drug and alcohol problems. The course offers a safe space for people like Alex to enjoy music again. Sometimes, clubs and dance music can remind people of difficult times, but this course gives them a new way to experience music in a positive environment. According to the charity, the group provides a new blueprint for people to engage with music and each other. Lizzie Mulholland, a worker with Creative Communities, said that the participants quickly formed a strong community. She noticed that everyone picked up DJing skills quickly and used music as a way to express themselves. Lizzie believes that the opposite of addiction is connection, and bringing people together in a positive space can really brighten their lives.

DJ Milly, who has been in recovery herself for about ten years, understands how important it is for people to find joy and playfulness in their lives. She said that after everything she has been through, it is important to enjoy life and find things that make you happy. Milly believes in the power of creativity and encourages people to find activities that make them feel alive and help them lose themselves in something positive. The course was so popular that more people applied than could be accepted, showing there is a real demand for this kind of support. DJ Milly is hopeful that there will be more courses like this in the future. The DJ course is not just about learning music; it is about building a supportive community, finding joy, and helping people on their journey to recovery.