In September 2024, SUIT started work with Peter Chand, The Indian Storyteller, and composer & editor PKC the First, to produce a series of short films exploring the diverse addiction experiences of SUIT clients & volunteers.

The films were co-designed by SUIT clients, volunteers, and staff members with lived experience, and describe the journey of addiction, recovery, and mental health, as navigating through a deep, dark forest. They are a deep dive into the real experiences of the SUIT team and are designed to raise awareness of addiction & recovery, and the sensitive issues that co-exist alongside them.

 In January 2025, the films were premiered at Wolverhampton's Literature Festival in Wolverhampton Art Gallery's Making Space, where the SUIT team and Peter delivered a workshop with 'zine making, creative writing & visual exploration of forest worlds.

 The “Forest Faced” project films are intended as a creative resource for other clients in recovery, clinical treatment services, agencies and staff to draw upon.

 The “Forest Faced” has been kindly funded by Wolverhampton City Council’s Department of Public Health.

Leanne & Sally "Down the Rabbit Hole"

Sally & Leanne's “Down the Rabbit Hole” explores their battle with heroin, & how they escaped to become Alice in Wonderland. “Down the Rabbit Hole” is the first in our series of films, developed with Peter Chand and PKC the First alongside our clients, volunteers, and staff.

The films tell of our journey through the deep, dark forest, and how we have managed to stay on that winding road of recovery.

We are a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation, and our team all have direct experience of addiction. At SUIT, we know how important it is for people accessing our service to find kindness & understanding, someone to listen, and to find their voice.

Matt & John "Stairway to Park Dale WV1"

Welcome to Park Dale WVI, where Matt & John's jazz and blues infused tale of addiction & recovery speaks of colour, sound, & silence, and the joy that comes when the stillness passes. This is a story about love, beauty, connection, and finding your tribe.

A huge thank you to Asylum Artist Quarter, where this lived experience film series, The Forest Faced, was shot. Asylum have championed our creative arts element at SUIT and given so much encouragement to our amazing, peer-led team.

Keeley, Beau, & Charlotte: "Three Stories"

Step into Beau's world, where an arduous journey through a dark forest leads to a dazzling clearing in the twisted branches above - a story of hope, change, and learning.

Keeley speaks of heartbreak through grief, but her beautiful strength pushes through the ominous pathway, hearing music so powerful, helping her resist the pain and break away. And Charlotte's artistic journey, through recovery from alcohol addiction to a better life with two birthdays, meaning double the cake. Keep pushing.

Vijay "ਰਸਤਾ (The Way)"

Vijay's journey tells of a rock star lifestyle; the hedonism that came with being in a Bhangra band in the 1990's, and how the popularity and arguments caused by drink and drugs, finally broke him.

We are proud to say that Vijay has walked his way through addiction, and onto the path of recovery, and now works at SUIT as our Punjabi-Speaking Project Worker. Vijay works with dedication in the Wolverhampton community, giving up his weekends to support at local temples. He educates a community with traditions grounded in alcohol, with stigma attached. His passion radiates and he encourages his community to be open about addiction and mental health.

Marcus & Jason: "Mr Moustache"

Named after a song on Nirvana's first album, "Bleach", "Mr Moustache" explores a deep, dark, forest with a path of obstacles from childhood & teenage years. Trying to fit in with others, being told to "man" up, but feeling different, and understanding that there is more to living in a world of overt and brain-deadened machismo..."I don't like you anyway..."

Karolina & Warren: "Nieustraszony (Fearless)"

"When you start to see that light at the end of the tunnel, something happens. It can't be explained" (Warren).

Everyone deserves to have supporters on their side, to keep believing in them, to help them achieve. To keep being different, unique, valued. To survive.

SUIT's Polish-Speaking Project Worker, Karolina, explains her strength in overcoming feeling charged of guilt, and of failure, from her traumatic beginnings as an orphan in Poland, to finding herself embracing power, epitomising nieustraszony, becoming fearless.

SUIT volunteer Warren speaks candidly of trauma, how it shaped his criminal past; the drugs to escape, and a way to control the things he had never had control over. He has found encouragement and inspiration in recovery; new connections, creativity, and now seeks out what he can do for others.

If you are affected by any of the real-life stories in the Forest Faced, or need advice, support, and understanding from our lived experience team, call us on 01902 328983, or message us on our socials.