Russell Brand came to Digbeth

Russell Brand visited Digbeth last week to celebrate the opening of Recovery Central, a new centre on Allcock Street that is set to help those struggling with addictions to drink and drugs.

Set to help around 300 people at a time, the centre will feature a conference venue, as well as a dry bar, a cafe, and a recording studio.

The new centre’s logo

The former addict praised the work of Steve Dixon, who set up the centre, describing the putting together of people in recovery as “an incredible resource”.

Speaking to an audience of recovering addicts, charity workers, and health professionals, Brand said:

“This [place] is amazing.

I’ve already met some of the ‘service users’. It’s the language… we’ve come a long way from maniacs, lunatics, rejects, psychopaths, junkies scum of the earth.

“People that are falling by the wayside, who have been discarded, forgotten and looked over, when they come together there’s an incredible resource.”

Recovery Central from the outside, Allcock Street

Recovery Central is associated with the charity Changes UK, which was founded in 2006 by Steve Dixon.

Dixon battled addiction for 15 years, and now works with the charity to provide support and rehabilitation to addicts.

He said of the new centre:

“Each addict who stays clean saved £50,000 every 12 months, so if we are helping 300 people at any one time, we are potentially saving the city £15 million.”