RUTH Maguire MSP welcomed North Ayrshire’s Funky Films group to the Scottish Parliament last week.

The Cunninghame South MSP hosted the hugely successful collaboration between the North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership and Recovery at Work -the two teams that make the Funky Films group.

Through the ‘Funky Films’ collaboration, people who have experienced drug and/or alcohol issues had the opportunity to undertake a short film-making course and then to tell their stories through short films.

The films show that recovery is possible, presenting honest and brave accounts of the stories of people recovering from drug and alcohol issues.

The group joined Ruth in Edinburgh on Tuesday, May 2.

The project has so far had a hugely positive and transformative impact within the community.

They recently won the North Ayrshire Provost’s Award 2017 in recognition of its valuable contribution to North Ayrshire’s civic society.

The North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership did this through raising awareness of a challenging subject matter to a broad range of stakeholders, challenging the stigma and discrimination around addiction, and demonstrating the strengths and skills of those in recovery.

At the event, MSPs from across Scotland were able to view two of the award-winning films created by Funky Films, before having the opportunity to speak to members of Funky Films themselves.

Ruth said: “I am very proud of all of the great work being done by the North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership.

“Through its many local successes, from Café Solace to Funky Films, the North Ayrshire ADP is leading the way in Scotland and cementing its reputation as an inspirational example of what can be achieved.

“It was my huge pleasure to welcome the cast and crew of Funky Films to the Scottish Parliament and to showcase their work on a national scale to MSPs from right across Scotland.

“Funky Films is a highly creative, innovative and undoubtedly successful approach to recovery.

"I commend the bravery, honesty and hard work of those who have come forward to share their stories to help others.

“The SNP Scottish Government is committed to a recovery-focused approach to problematic drug and alcohol use."

The MSP added: "At its core, recovery is a process through which a person is enabled to address their problem drug or alcohol use and become an active and contributing member of society and the success of projects such as Funky Films underlines that this is the right approach to take.”