We Are Survivors believes that the healing journey happens in every environment, not just the traditional counselling room. We Are Survivors itself was born when a group of male survivors, appalled by the lack of support available to them, came together in a coffee shop to just be survivors. In the 16 years since, the organisation has learned how essential connection with other survivors can be to the healing process and have created several safe spaces outside of regular therapy where these connections can be made; where survivors can, hopefully, not only survive, but move on with their lives and thrive.
How can I join the community activities?
Every survivor will be offered a step into support, with a community development coordinator, before engagement with our groups and community activities.
What is a Step into Supports?
Step into Support is an information session on what we groups/activities we offer, getting to know you and your needs and what group/activity is right for you, it is always your choice on what you get involved in because we realise survivors face multiple barriers when accessing support, be those physical, psychological, social, or cultural, but a step into support will hopefully give you a chance to voice any concerns or queries you may have, and for us to potentially debunk any fears or misconceptions of peer to peer support.
Where do Step into Support take place?
A Step into Support can either be face to face at our offices or over the telephone with someone from the Community Development Team. The session will last up to one hour, depending on your interests.
What group and community activities do We Are Survivors offer?
We offer a variety of activities across the week, and all of them are free. Have a look below at our offers.
Drop In – A space for clients to come along and have an informal brew and a chat. A great opportunity to connect with other survivors. Various activities are ongoing including art, board games and computer games.
The Safe Room – A fortnightly confidential peer to peer support group. Can be accessed either face to face or online. Great friendships have been forged within The Safe Room and many attendees have gone on to successfully complete therapy.
The Yoga Studio – A weekly free yoga session in a safe, trauma informed space open to all our clients. A place can be booked in advance by calling our office.
The Coffee Shop – A chance to ‘go grab a coffee’ and socialise at pre-determined safe venues across the city.
The Hangout – A brand new and evolving space for clients and allies of our community aged 18-35 to relax and enjoy a variety of events and activities.
The Art Room – Art sessions for all levels – Self led sessions either online or face to face.
The Builder’s Yard – Informal Lego building sessions where you can connect with your peers, enjoy Lego, chat, and have a brew.
The Writing Room – A weekly themed creative writing session. Attendees can share what they write or choose not to.
The Garden at RHS Bridgewater – Get out of the city for a gardening session in beautiful surroundings at RHS, planting, and harvesting in our community plots. Clients are picked up by taxi at our Unit 17 office space and dropped back off at 3.30pm.
If you want to know more about these activities, book a Step Into Support appointment, and/or join our newsletter mailing list, then contact our Community Development Team on 0161 236 2182 or email [email protected].
