The Life Course in Bristol

Hundreds of people have attended the Life Course over that last ten years and found that it has helped them on their recovery journey. Each individual comes to the course with their own life story and the personal changes they hope to make. Our role is to help create a space where people can get the most out of the course for themselves as they make group time part of a weekly routine. We know that most people who come on the course really appreciate being in a group with others who want to make changes and enjoy the contributions other make to the sessions. We recognise that for some just getting through the door on day one will be a challenge, for others it will be staying focused to the end. What we do know is that the Life Course can and will make a huge difference for all who have a willingness to learn and a desire to change.

The next Life Course will start on Wednesday 7th May.

If you are interested in applying or finding out more, please get in touch: life@inhope.uk.

Dave’s Story

Dave joined the Life Course 6 months sober having been in and out of sobriety for 15 years. Alcohol addiction had left him suffering with high anxiety and bouts of depression.

His confidence was low… but he wanted to start living life well again and not be trapped in his fears. He fully engaged with the course and the group and kept giving himself little challenges to build up his confidence.

After the course he started in a volunteer “work” placement knowing it would take him out of his comfort zone and potentially, at the start, increase his anxiety. He was given a work buddy, and training for his new IT role.

He grew into the roleand in confidence, to the point when 8 months later he was able to apply for a part time job in the company which he got, giving him a first step back into employment.

He has maintained his sobriety and now has healthier social networks (less isolating behaviours) and continues to live well in recovery.

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Make a self / client referral

The Life Course is for people in the Bristol area who are aged 25 – 55 years old who have struggled with addiction and who also may have experienced mental health problems, unsafe relationships, homelessness or offending behaviour etc. Ideally they will have attended a recovery programme and will be thinking about building on that as they look to live well in recovery.

We recommend people have at least one month clean / dry time (although you can be on a script) and are actively engaged in recovery. More FAQs here.

Participants will be invited to an informal pre-course meeting to chat to the team and see the venue and to assess whether the course is the right thing to do at this time. This also is an opportunity to assess recovery and support needs so that the team can best help those on the course.

Make a self / client referral here

The Venue

Our Midland Road space is calm and quiet. The main group room holds a maximum of 12 people for group work and there is an outside room if people need to get out for some space. We also have an enclosed courtyard for chatting and smoking in, and for bike storage.

The Life Recovery team work in two offices there but no one else will normally be in the building. There are no steps into / inside the building and we have a client toilet which is wheelchair accessible. On every course session there will be hot and cold drinks available plus fruit and snacks.

We are 10 minutes from Cabot Circus, and you are welcome to come to a session with a support worker if that helps initially.

Peer Support

We have peer volunteers who help facilitate the course. They been through it and now (literally) have the t-shirt. Their role is supporting you getting as much from the course as possible as well as encouraging each attendee to press on through to the end to get the most out of the materials and group.

We also run a peer support group on a Friday which people can join after completing the Life Course as a place of additional support, friendship and chat.