The Duchess of Cambridge delivered the keynote speech at an event hosted by the Forward Trust on Tuesday 19th October to launch the charity’s “Taking Action on Addiction” campaign.
A group of charities, including The Forward Trust, launched the Taking Action on Addiction campaign to drive awareness and understanding of addiction. Hosted by Ant and Dec, the event also screened a short film challenging misunderstandings about addiction and was closed by Tom Walker, who gave a special performance of his worldwide hit (about addiction) “Leave A Light On.”
As Patron of The Forward Trust, The Duchess said:
“Addiction is not a choice. No one chooses to become an addict. But it can happen to any one of us. None of us are immune.
“Yet it’s all too rarely discussed as a serious mental health condition. And seldom do we take the time to uncover and fully understand its fundamental root causes.
“The journey towards addiction is often multi-layered and complex. But, by recognising what lies beneath addiction, we can help remove the taboo and shame that sadly surrounds it.
“As a society, we need to start from a position of compassion and empathy. Where we nurture those around us, understand their journey, and what has come before them. We need to value and prioritise care and support, helping to restore and connect individuals who are clearly suffering, to the people around them.
“That is why I am so passionate about the work of The Forward Trust, an organisation I am so proud to be patron of. This is the work that you, and many other charities, provide day in, day out. And it is needed now, more than ever.”
At the event, The Duchess also met beneficiaries of the charity as well as a number of supporters with lived experience of addiction and heard their stories.
