Rainbow Recovery Is Growing
What’s been happening over the past few months, and where we’re heading
Over the past six months, Rainbow Recovery has been steadily growing across Essex. What started as a small, dedicated space is becoming something people are returning to each week, getting to know each other and finding their place within the wider recovery community.
Adam, who leads Rainbow Recovery, first connected with Essex Recovery Foundation through the Essex Recovery Fund. Since then, the work has developed into a regular programme of activity across Harlow and Chelmsford.
Here’s what’s been happening, and what’s coming up next.
Rainbow Recovery Café
For the past six months, the Rainbow Recovery Café has been running at Harlow Playhouse on Wednesday afternoons. It’s been encouraging to see both professionals and people in recovery coming along, with a mix of new and familiar faces each week.
As the space has grown, one thing has become clear. While the dedicated session has been valuable, it can also feel slightly separate from the wider recovery community.
So, going forward, Rainbow Recovery will run within the main Recovery Café at Harlow Playhouse, which takes place every Wednesday from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
The aim is to bring more people together in one shared space, while still making sure it remains welcoming and supportive for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Everyone is welcome.
Rainbow Recovery Film Club
Alongside the café, the Rainbow Recovery Film Club has been building steadily. It currently runs at Harlow Playhouse on the first Monday of each month at 7pm, offering a relaxed way for people to connect.
Following its success, the Film Club is now expanding to Chelmsford.
From Friday 20 March, sessions will also take place at Cornerstone Café on the third Friday of each month at 7pm.
Each month, two films are nominated, both free to watch on TV or streaming services. At the next session, the group comes together to talk about what they’ve watched, share perspectives and enjoy a relaxed, supportive space.
There’s also a quiz question for each film, with a small prize for the fastest correct answer.
Recovery From Addiction Workshops
From April, a new series of monthly workshops will begin at Cornerstone Café in Chelmsford.
These sessions will take place on the last Tuesday of each month from 2pm to 3.30pm, and are open to anyone with an interest in recovery and wellbeing — whether you’re in recovery yourself, working in the field, or simply want to learn more.
The first three sessions are:
Tuesday 28 April | 2pm - 3.30pm
HIV Prevention, Support and Positive Living
Guest Speaker: Justin Barley, Essex Sexual Health Service
Tuesday 26 May | 2pm - 3.30pm
Chemsex: Understanding the Risks and Staying Safe
Guest Speaker: Amy Brown, Health Promotion Specialist, Essex Sexual Health Service
Tuesday 23 June | 2pm - 3.30pm
Sensory Integration: Making Sense of Addiction
Guest Speakers: Fran Bailey and Vicki Warner, Occupational Therapists, The OT Centre
Get Involved
Rainbow Recovery continues to grow through the people who take part in it.
If you’re interested in attending, contributing or speaking at a future workshop, you’re very welcome to get in touch via: rainbowrecoverycafe@aol.com
