“Parkrun saved my life after drug addiction”

A woman recovering from drug addiction has credited Parkrun with saving her life.

Lorraine Parbury, 38, says volunteering at the event in Clifton, Nottingham, has given her a new focus.

Her recovery from amphetamine addiction began five years ago, but Ms Parbury told the BBC she needed something to keep her busy as Covid restrictions began to ease.

Since then she has become more involved in running Clifton's parkrun and is now co-event director.

Parkrun, a free 5km running event taking place in 2,500 parks across the country – celebrates its 20th anniversary this month.

Ms Parbury got involved after learning her local event needed volunteers.

“Parkrun saved my life,” she said.

“I had hit rock bottom. Before Covid came, I wouldn’t come out of my apartment at all.”

“I started [volunteering] a little over three years ago. The lockdown was over and I needed something else to do.”

Initially she cheered on the runners, but quickly moved up to organizing the event as race director and now handles much of the event administration.

“When I first came down I was as quiet as a mouse. Now, three years later, I’m co-event director,” she said.

“When I was addicted, my sister took care of my children. I needed a routine to take my life back.”

“I went to parkrun and then visited my children every Saturday.”

At the beginning of the year, her children moved back in with her full-time.

She is currently training to become a recovery companion and credits her regular volunteer work with helping her build a new life.

“Parkrun helped me with my recovery. It boosted my confidence that I had many years ago before my addiction took over,” she said.

“It gave me a second chance. I have a good reputation again.”

Ms Parbury isn't the only person who says it makes a difference.

“I was never really interested in sports at school – but I love being outside and going for walks,” said 59-year-old Jane Stubbs.

“And there’s just more of that: meeting people, making friends.”

Laura Smith, one of the founders of Clifton Parkrun, added: “It has so many health and community benefits, both physical and mental.”

“Clifton is a large estate and it benefits the community to be available here and accessible to all abilities.”