Open Road Vange

17/04/2026

Friendly faces on our front desk this morning. Our lovely volunteer Hannah will also be taking Art Group at 1.30pm 🎨

16/04/2026

💙✨ Celebrating Barry – 4 Years Sober ✨💙

A huge congratulations to our Recovery Volunteer Barry, who celebrated an incredible 4 years of sobriety on the 12th April 👏

Barry’s journey is a powerful reminder of what long-term recovery can look like, and the strength it takes to maintain it. When speaking about what’s helped him stay sober, Barry highlighted three key things: having faith in himself, surrounding himself with like-minded people, and never losing sight of his support network.

Barry also spoke about how important giving back has become in his recovery. Through his volunteer role, he’s taken his life experience — even the difficult parts — and chosen to use it as something positive to help others who are on their own journey.

Volunteering with Open Road has given Barry a real sense of purpose, fulfilment and connection. Whether it’s supporting groups, completing assessments or simply being present for others, Barry plays a meaningful role in helping people move forward — and in turn, strengthens his own recovery.

Barry, we are incredibly proud of you and grateful for everything you bring to the service. You are a true example of recovery in action 💙

15/04/2026

💙✨ Volunteer Shoutout – Toni & Debbie ✨💙

We want to give a huge shoutout to our amazing volunteers Toni and Debbie for the incredible work they’ve been doing with our Peer Support Group 👏

Since relaunching the group after a short break, Toni and Debbie have brought fresh ideas, structure and creativity — introducing light weekly themes that have helped shape the group into something engaging, welcoming and meaningful.

As a result, we’ve seen the group grow week by week, building back up to a strong and supportive space for our clients — and that is a real testament to their hard work, consistency and innovation.

Peer support is at the heart of what we do, and Toni and Debbie have truly embraced that — creating an environment where people feel comfortable, heard and supported.

Thank you both for your dedication and the positive impact you continue to make 💙

📌Peer Support Group runs every Monday at 1pm.

14/04/2026

An amazing opportunity to work with an unbelievable team. Rewarding and fulfilling!!

🚨 We’re hiring for a brand new role! 🚨
Open Road is recruiting a Ketamine-Specific Young Person’s Intervention Worker to join our Thurrock & Southend teams.

If you’re passionate about supporting young people, building safer pathways between hospitals and the community, and delivering specialist 1:1 interventions — this could be your next step.

📍 Thurrock & Southend
🕒 30 hours per week
💼 Permanent
💰 £27,000 + £683.99 pro rata
⏳ Closing date: 29 April 2026

You’ll lead on ketamine-specific support, help shape a monthly clinic with partners, and make a real impact on early identification, harm reduction and long-term outcomes for young people.

✨ A rare chance to shape a role from the ground up.

🔗 Click the link for more details and our application form. https://www.openroad.org.uk/vacancies/young-persons-ketamine-worker-thurrock/

14/04/2026

💙✨ Volunteer Recognition – Jason ✨💙

We want to give a huge shoutout to our Recovery Champion Jason, who has been doing an incredible job supporting within our groups.

Jason has been working alongside Jamie in Relapse Prevention, bringing confidence, honesty, peer support and lived experience into the room — all of which have had a real impact on those attending.

Last week, Jason took things a step further by co-facilitating our Resilience Group and even taking the lead. Anyone who has ever stood in front of a group will know just how challenging that can be — it takes courage, preparation, self-belief and the ability to hold a room. Jason stepped up and delivered, which is a huge achievement.

Jason continues to be a strong presence in the centre, making recovery visible and showing others what is possible.

And as if that wasn’t enough — this weekend Jason celebrated 1 year of sobriety 👏💙 An incredible milestone and a true testament to his hard work and commitment to recovery.

We’re really pleased to share that Jason will soon be progressing into a Peer Mentor role, as we continue to expand his responsibilities and support his development.

Jason — we’re proud of you. Keep doing what you’re doing 💙

14/04/2026

📈 Garden Progress

Step by step we are adding more bits thanks to the amazing donation from Wickford Christian Centre and the hard work of our irreplaceable Recovery Champion Julian.

13/04/2026

🧘‍♀️Well done to the first cohort of our brand new Relaxation & Mindfulness Group which launched today and took place in our new Zen Room. One down and four sessions to go before the next Cohort starts.

🙌 Massive thank you to our Volunteer Counsellor Jacky for facilitating this calm, safe group that promotes stillness and flow.

13/04/2026

Women Together’s Walk & Talk Walking Club restarts this weekend *Sat 18th April*

Join us for our 🌳*Walk in the Woods for Wellbeing*🌳 a friendly, relaxed & supportive environment to walk, talk, connect & enjoy nature together whilst doing gentle exercise.

🗓️ Every Sat
⏰10:15am–12pm
🏞️Thorndon Country Park
Meet at *North Visitor Centre* Entrance
The Avenue, Brentwood, CM13 3RZ

🚶‍♀️All women welcome
🦯 Walks led by experienced walk leaders

For more details, check Woman Together's Radio Show exploring how outdoor activity improves wellbeing:
⬇️
📹 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GzHblwQEYXQ

11/04/2026

"you can't change what you can't admit" - YP's Ko out here inspiring our youth.

10/04/2026

🎨 A massive thank you for everyone that attended todays Creative Arts Group. It's amazing to have this popular therapeutic group up and running thanks to our new Volunteer Hannah.

📌 All clients welcome - The group runs every friday at 1.30pm.

10/04/2026

💙✨ Welcome to the Team! ✨💙

We’re really pleased to officially welcome Hannah, Kevin and Jason to the Open Road Vange team as our newest volunteers 👏

All three have come through our service and are now taking the next step in their journeys by giving back and supporting others — something we’re incredibly proud to see.

Today, they took part in volunteer training, getting to know the “who’s who” of the service and building their understanding of harm reduction — key foundations for the amazing work they’ll be doing moving forward.

Each of them brings their own strengths, experiences and passion, and we’re excited to see the positive impact they will have within the centre and the wider recovery community.

Welcome to the team — we’re glad to have you with us 💙

10/04/2026

🙌 Thank you to our Superstar Recovery Champion Julian for continuing to give our gardens that Spring TLC. Big garden plans coming - stay tuned.

Julian, you truly are an inspirational human being and one of a kind. ❤️