David Clark Testimonials

These are testimonials that I have received over the years. I have included the position or role the person who wrote the review had at the time of writing.

David’s work across many decades has laid the groundwork for words and practices that today trip off the tongue, such as ‘recovery movement’ and ‘cultural trauma’. The Recovery Voices website brings his insights from the field into one home. It also invites us to the meal table within that house. He and his collaborator Wulf Livingston rightly reserve a special seat for the people and communities whose stories we must hear into full expression to move towards genuine reconciliation. Thank you, David, for your continued groundbreaking work and the wholehearted way you convene us into the heartland of an alternative future.

Cormac Russell

Author of Rekindling Democracy and Co-author of The Connected Community, Ireland

David Clark was a recovery pioneer in the UK before the recovery movement properly achieved its birth… He has sought out compassionate examples of good practice and promoted these and has campaigned for greater understanding of the principles and practice of recovery. He championed the power of the narrative in helping people move on from dependent drug use and has always been interested in people’s stories as fundamental components of the process.

Dr. David McCartney Founder of LEAP, Edinburgh, UK (now retired)

Wired In was the first real grass roots organisation in this country and for that you should be very, very proud. And remember the enormous amount of respect and support that is held for you from grassroots organisations right across the sector …

Noreen Oliver MBE CEO, BAC O’Connor, Burton-on-Trent, UK (RIP)

Sometimes in life one encounters an extraordinary human being. David is one such individual. I feel privileged to be able to call him my friend, my colleague and my confidante.

Wynford Ellis Owen

Chief Executive, Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, & Living Room, Cardiff, UK

Having closely followed the work that David has done over the years, it is evident that he has considerable insight into the development of indigenous recovery communities, but more telling is his understanding of how to disseminate the learning to others.

Michelle Foster

CEO, The Basement Recovery Project, Halifax, UK

David Clark is one of those rare people who has the capacity, tenacity and passion for seeing a need and following it through with a practical response, despite the self-sacrifice and continuing hurdles that can be part of this process … The incredible list of key Advisors that have enthusiastically accepted to be part of the Sharing Culture project comprise of some of the world’s most respected and experienced people in this field. This is a testament to David Clark’s approach and vision.

Dr. Carlie Atkinson

CEO, We Al-Li healing program, Australia

‘… He [David] has always been compassionate and full of empathy. He has always been kind and gentle, never judgmental, even when I was still in active addiction. He just never gave up on me. That kind of support is huge when you have given up on yourself …

Maddie

Sydney, Australia

In creating, nurturing and developing Wired In, Professor David Clark has made a unique contribution to the recovery movement, firstly in the UK and secondly worldwide. As a recovery advocate now based in Australia, David provides the same sense of hope and community to people in this country as he has done in the UK; he is a genuine source of inspiration. David does much to provide the recovery movement with credibility and dynamism and with a sense of dignity and purpose.

David Best

Associate Professor, Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre, Australia (now living in the UK)

Maddie

Sydney, Australia

The Wired-In on-line community is nothing short of amazing … But what borders on miraculous, is this sense of true recovery transmitted through the internet … Our field is blessed to have a visionary innovator like David contribute his considerable talent and time to this endeavour.

Phillip Valentine

Former Executive Director, Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR), USA

I have closely followed the evolution of the Wired In recovery community since its inception and have drawn great inspiration from the stories, mutual support and resources the site has provided. Wired In is a valuable resource for individuals and family members seeking or in recovery, and a medium through which people in recovery can get their voices to policy makers and professionals charged with addressing addiction-related problems. Keep up the great work and know that you have the continued support of recovery advocates in the United States.

William L. White

Researcher, Historian, Practitioner, Writer & Recovery Advocate, USA