Sikh Recovery Network
Charity 1184884
Overview
Summary
Sikh Recovery Network appears to occupy a culturally specific bridge between addiction recovery and Sikh community life. Its distinctive role is not merely offering support for alcohol and drug misuse, but adapting recovery practice to Sikh values, faith and community settings while directly addressing stigma around addiction. The available evidence suggests a small, founder-led organisation that combines peer-facing access, spiritual framing, awareness activity and relationships with Gurdwara-linked community figures.
Operational geography
Coverage: National
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- Direct evidence supports operation in Birmingham City: the Charity Commission's current register entry lists Birmingham City among the places where the charity operates, and the 2021 trustees' annual report states that weekly meetings were taking place in Birmingham. However, neither source identifies a Birmingham venue, ward or recognised place.
- The organisation's current website describes regular in-person support meetings and Zoom sessions, but does not state where its current Birmingham meetings are held. It is therefore not possible to assign activity confidently to a Birmingham ward or to City Centre.
- The charity has a registered address in Derby, and the Charity Commission says it does not own or lease land or property. This indicates that the registered address should not be treated as a Birmingham operational site and that Birmingham activity may be delivered through host venues.
- The national coverage classification is a reasonable interpretation rather than proof of active provision in every part of the UK. The current Charity Commission entry records operation across Birmingham, Derby, Leicester, Ealing, North Yorkshire and associated counties; historic reporting also describes talks around the country and groups in several cities.
- Historic evidence identifies partnerships with Turning Point, Change Grow Live, NHS trusts, local authorities and police forces, but the available evidence does not establish which of these partnerships remain active in Birmingham or whether they currently host, refer into, or jointly deliver Birmingham services.
Additional evidence needed
- A current timetable, referral pathway or venue list for Birmingham support meetings, workshops or recovery activity, while respecting any safeguarding need not to disclose participant locations.
- The 2024 trustees' annual report or an up-to-date service/impact report identifying the locations and frequency of current groups and workshops.
- Confirmation from Sikh Recovery Network of the Birmingham venues through which it currently delivers services, and whether these are regular operational bases or occasional event locations.
- Current confirmation from Birmingham-based partners of any active referral, hosting or delivery arrangements.
Areas of work
- The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
Who they help
- People Of A Particular Ethnic Or Racial Origin
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Recovery is framed as cultural and spiritual reconnection
The organisation appears to treat addiction recovery as more than abstinence, using Sikh teachings, self-reflection and community support as part of a renewed life. This may make support feel more relevant to people for whom mainstream recovery models do not fully reflect their identity or community context.
Why it matters
This helps distinguish the network from a general addiction service: its potential value lies in translating recovery into a culturally meaningful pathway rather than simply providing information or referral.
Show evidence
“The Sikhi 12 Steps are described as a spiritual path to recovery guided by Sikh values, self-reflection, faith and community support.”
Source:Organisation“The organisation states that standard recovery programs were not enough for the Sikh community.”
Source:Organisation
The organisation is trying to move a stigmatized issue into trusted community spaces
Locating recovery support in or around the Gurdwara may indicate a strategy of making addiction visible within institutions that hold trust, belonging and moral authority in Sikh community life.
Why it matters
This suggests its role may include changing community norms as well as supporting individuals, which could affect both access to help and willingness to discuss addiction.
Show evidence
“The organisation states that it brings addiction recovery into the heart of the community—the Gurdwara.”
Source:Organisation“It describes addiction as a deep-rooted issue within the Sikh community that is often overlooked or dismissed.”
Source:Organisation
Its operating model appears highly relational and founder-led
Direct WhatsApp contact with the founder, a personal recovery narrative and a small named leadership group suggest that trust and lived experience may be core assets of the organisation. This may enable approachable support, while also creating dependence on a limited number of people.
Why it matters
Understanding this helps assess both the network's distinctive accessibility and questions about its capacity, resilience and reach.
Show evidence
“The website invites people to contact Jaz Rai directly on WhatsApp.”
Source:Organisation“Jaz Rai is identified as founder and describes achieving sobriety in 2009 after alcohol addiction.”
Source:Organisation
- Whether support is delivered through groups, one-to-one work, referrals or structured treatment partnerships.
- Which Sikh communities and geographic areas the network reaches, and whether families and co-dependents receive dedicated support.
- Whether the Sikhi 12 Steps have been evaluated for safety, accessibility or recovery outcomes.
Remaining uncertainties
- Information on service locations, referral routes, participant numbers, safeguarding and links to clinical addiction services.
- Evidence of outcomes, beneficiary feedback and the practical role of Gurdwaras and named referral contacts.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
We provide support for addicts who are struggling with alcohol dependancy or drug misuse.
Charity objects
THE RELIEF OF PEOPLE IN NEED BY REASON OF ADDICTION TO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL AND ASSOCIATED PSYCHOLOGICAL DIFFICULTIES, INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND CO-DEPENDENTS, IN PARTICULAR, BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY BY, THE PROVISION OF ADVICE, INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE.