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The DJ course bringing light to recovering addicts

Jasmine Ketibuah-FoleyBristol
The DJ course bringing light to recovering addicts

A new DJ course for former addicts has been helping them to foster connections and community – something participants said was "paramount" to their recovery.

Alex Mac, who took part in the six-week course at sober bar Arc Bristol, said it had been a "fantastic" addition to his recovery and had inspired him to get back into making music.

"I feel uplifted by music. It just lights up something in me," he said.

The course was started by the charity Bristol Drugs Project and led by DJ Milly, better known as Milly on Air, who came up with the idea following a boom of sober spaces across the city.

Alex has shoulder-length blonde hair and a ginger beard. He is wearing a khaki coloured bomber jacket and fluffy cream jumper. He is sitting in an armchair with artwork behind him on the walls.
Alex Mac is making music again after joining the six-week course

Mac said he joined the course because he "wanted to find a sense of connection to people" through music.

"For any type of addiction, connection is paramount for recovery," he said.

He said he had now started uploading mixes to his Instagram account.

"I had a background in DJing, but I've learnt new skills," he added.

Milly with a course participant laughing and smiling. They are standing in front of a set of DJ decks, facing away from the camera. The participant, who has long blonde hair and a dark hoodie on, is doing a thumbs up sign to Milly who is on the right.
DJ Milly, right, believes Bristol Drugs Project will run similar courses in the future

The scheme is being supported by volunteers from Bristol Drugs Project's Creative Communities group and Horizons, Bristol's drug and alcohol partnership.

A BDP spokesperson said the course offered a safe place for people like Mac to return to enjoying music.

"Clubs and even dance music itself can be a trigger – but this group provides a new blueprint to engage," the charity said.

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Creative Communities drugs worker Lizzie Mulholland said the participants made a "great community" out of the course.

"Everyone's picked [DJing] up really quick," she said. "People can use it as an outlet."

She added: "The opposite of addiction is connection, so getting people together in a positive space like this can be a real light in people's lives."

Milly, who has a dark brown bob, sits in an arm chair. She is wearing a brown jumper and smiling at the camera. There is artwork behind her on the walls.
DJ Milly, also known as Milly on Air, is leading the course

DJ Milly, who has been in recovery for about 10 years, said it was important for people in recovery to do things that bring "fun, playfulness and joy" into their lives.

She said: "What's the point in getting through everything I've got through and not enjoying life?

"I believe in the power of creativity – finding something that makes you light up, be in a flow and lose yourself.

"We had more people apply than we could accept on the course so it showed there was a real demand."

She added: "I definitely think there will be future courses."

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