“Do you have a love of music? Have you ever dreamed of writing your own songs? Do you think you have no musical talent? Did addiction rob you of your inspiration?

Musical Futures is a unique six-session workshop designed to help those in recovery or those seeking recovery find confidence, connection, and creative self-expression through music and song writing. Designed by Not Saints’ team of music professionals with lived experience of addiction and recovery, this course is open to anyone with an interest in music regardless of experience or ability.

By voting for Not Saints Musical Futures you can help us to bring this exciting and dynamic program to Essex for the very first time. Participants in the workshops will learn the basics of song writing, structure and timing, melody and lyrics, and will also able to record their songs and creations with our team.

As a community programme, Musical Futures will focus on fun and creativity. Participants forge new friendships and bonds through collaboration, and develop new musical, technology, and communication skills that will help build a stronger recovery for all involved”

“Feeling Freedom is an innovative online support programme designed specifically for families affected by addiction. Drawing from research on emotional security, our programme centres on three essential pillars of well-being: feeling safe, seen, and soothed. We bridge a crucial gap in addiction recovery by providing families with what they often struggle to find: dependable, easy-to-access support and concrete strategies for their healing journey.

Our community connects through a user-friendly app featuring weekly 90-minute guided sessions, an extensive resource library, and 24/7 peer support. Members can access psychoeducation, emotional regulation techniques, and EFT tapping exercises whenever needed, ensuring support isn't limited to scheduled sessions.

The programme has gained strong support from the recovery community. As one participant shares: "Just having the ongoing support when feeling at my lowest and knowing that you were there has been amazing - I couldn't have coped without it." Another member values "being able to browse the platforms and finding bits that I need at that time."

Developed by an advanced addiction practitioner with extensive professional and personal experience, Feeling Freedom bridges the gap between professional support and peer recovery communities. We continuously evolve based on community feedback, ensuring our programme meets the real needs of families navigating addiction recovery”

“The 6 Addiction Staying Stopped programme is a post-detox (if necessary), abstinence-based programme and the brainchild of Tony Adams. This outpatient programme is led by those in recovery, designed to engage the local community and is for those who are ready to be addiction free. It helps addicts that might not wish to go to rehab; for those who have tried fellowship meetings but have not felt able to engage with the programme and finally those who may have had a bad experience and ended up back in the cycle of addiction.

Our procedure prepares addicts in a way which suits them, with counselling to learn more about the issues they are having. We then support them in the process of 90 meetings in 90 days, with a designated lived experience mentor who will help them delve a little deeper into their issues, provide emotional support and bust any myths. This is undertaken at the speed they need to ensure their recovery has a solid foundation from where they can rebuild their life and relationships.

We believe that the establishment of the 6 Addiction Staying Stopped Programme in Essex will impact the community in many ways, including the enlargement of the local recovery community and provide long-term recovery outcomes, which in turn will exponentially increase the wellbeing of individuals, their families and friends”

“Open Road’s “Haircuts for Recovery” project is more than a response to client feedback—it’s a doorway to transformation. Developed through our Basildon Feedback Forum, where clients shape the support they receive, this initiative addresses a simple yet profound need: access to affordable haircuts. For someone in recovery, a haircut isn’t just grooming—it’s a fresh start. It can symbolise renewal, restore confidence, and inspire hope for what’s ahead.

Jamie, our dedicated Engagement Worker, turned this vision into action by partnering with local barbers and salons in Basildon and Pitsea. Together, they’ve created an opportunity for clients to not only receive discounted haircuts but also experience the dignity and self-worth that come with looking and feeling their best. This collaboration extends beyond practical help; it fosters community partnerships, challenges addiction stigma, and celebrates recovery inclusivity.

Entirely client-led, this project demonstrates leadership by individuals in recovery. Peer Mentors, who know the recovery journey firsthand, will guide clients, ensuring accessibility and a supportive atmosphere. Open to everyone, the project removes barriers, promoting self-care as an integral step in the recovery process.

A haircut might seem small, but its impact is extraordinary. It can be the spark that encourages someone to attend a job interview, reconnect with family, or face life’s challenges with renewed confidence. With funding, we will provide at least 208 transformative experiences, helping clients take that first step toward positive change—one haircut at a time.”

“Artful Conversations is a creative developmental project run by professional artist, Gretel Warner. Having taught  fine art for three years, I decided to begin my career as a full-time painter. Since then I have displayed and sold work internationally but seem to miss the physical interactions with other creative minds! I am passionate about sharing the power and positive effect art can have on the world and hope to share this with you all through Artful Conversations. The project will be over the course of 5 months, with two sessions per month, meaning we can all stay in touch and feel part of something. I aim to provide a safe, fluid, fun and inclusive space to learn the fundamentals of art, explore your inner creativity and express yourself. This project will be centred around student-lead learning; providing the community members with an opportunity to decide which creative activities to explore and learn. You will have the opportunity to explore a range of activities such as painting, observational drawing, photography, sculpting, print-making and many more, ultimately building your creative foundations for further projects and opportunities in the future!  The sessions will be informative and hands-on, with a strong emphasis on creating a fun and sociable environment, whilst listening to themed music and engaging in reflective discussions as we work on our creative endeavours.

As a celebration of your hard work I am keen to host and curate an art show to showcase the members' development and dedication; a fun way to share the positive impact the project has had on the group and celebrate you, the artists”

““Message in a Bottle” is a theatre and community to develop an original play about alcoholism and recovery, aiming to raise awareness of addiction and support the recovery community through the transformative nature of poetry and theatre. Led by Artistic Director Harry Bailey and associate artist Lola Jones, both with personal experience of the effects of alcoholism, this project centres lived experience at every stage.

Following a successful 2024 performance attended by Essex Recovery members, this project begins with poetry workshops in Essex Recovery Spaces, providing a safe environment for self-expression and healing. Insights from these workshops will shape the final script, creating an authentic production that reflects genuine recovery stories.

As the project expands into a touring performance across Essex, it will raise awareness about addiction while offering Essex Recovery opportunities to engage new audiences, receive donations, and establish a lasting community presence. The production also aims to channel revenue back to Essex Recovery, in gratitude for their support. The project will also give participants a chance to perform their work in a supportive, inclusive environment and be featured in a digital and published anthology, providing lasting resources for recovery stories.

With theatre’s ability to foster empathy and conversation, "Message in a Bottle" will bring powerful recovery-driven stories to the stage and screen. We are grateful for the chance to make recovery visible, loud, and empowering with your support”

“The Boys & Men UK CIC is a community-focused organisation aimed at empowering boys and men, especially those from Black Minority Ethnic communities.

Empowerment Through Recovery Project, is a new initiative designed to run for 12-months, seeking to support Black minority men in their recovery from substance misuse addiction, mental health issues, or trauma. The initiative offers culturally tailored recovery services through workshops, peer mentoring, and group sessions, focusing on emotional resilience, life skills, and community building.

Targeting Black minority men in Colchester, Essex, the project addresses barriers to accessing traditional recovery services, offering a culturally sensitive approach that fosters inclusivity. The project collaborates with local organisations and health services to ensure a strong support network for participants.

Aligned with key fund objectives, the project emphasises leadership, community support, and inclusivity. It incorporates peer mentoring, where individuals who have successfully navigated recovery take on leadership roles, guiding and mentoring others. This creates a cycle of empowerment and leadership within the recovery community.

Additionally, the project strengthens community ties by collaborating with local organisations, helping participants build a sense of belonging and reduce isolation. By promoting inclusivity and reducing stigma, it encourages more Black men to seek recovery support, ensuring they receive culturally relevant care. The project’s holistic approach is designed to have a lasting impact on recovery services in Essex, promoting a healthier, more resilient community.

We humble requesting to vote for our project to enable us to impact more people in the community”