Blossome

24/07/2025

🌸Today is International Self-Care Day… but we believe self-care isn’t a date on the calendar — it’s a daily, life-saving practice. 🌸

For too long, self-care has been mistaken for bubble baths and fleeting treats. But real self-care is deeper. It’s about meeting your needs. It’s setting boundaries, resting without guilt, asking for help, and learning to be kind to yourself, especially on the hard days.

When you’re affected by a loved one’s addiction, the world teaches you to survive in silence, putting everyone else first. Blossome is here to change that.

We are committed to making self-care an everyday practice because it’s not a luxury - it’s essential to healing, to reclaiming your life, and to breaking cycles of harm that pass through families.

Daily self-care changes lives.
Daily self-care saves lives.
Daily self-care is an act of courage.

Today, we’re not just celebrating self-care.
We’re calling on you to prioritise it.
Because you are worth it - every single day.

Please share. Someone you know needs to hear this. ❤️🌸❤️

12/07/2025

It’s Beach Hut Day today - Selfcare by the sea.

This is a relaxed day, with a variety of selfcare activities to choose from. You can also bring whatever you like to help you pass the time by the beach. It’s all about taking time for you- giving yourself permission to pause .

It’s also a great day to come along for the first time. Learn about Blossome and what we do. Everyone is welcome. Learn about volunteering, and being a member of our self- care community.

There are plenty of cuppas and seaside treats.

What to bring
Please bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.
You can also bring a swimsuit and towel if you wish to have a swim. With this hot weather, it’s nice to cool down with a dip. Make sure to also bring some sun cream.

Finding the beach hut
If you are driving, we recommend the church road car park. CO14 8DE. If you download the MiPermit app in advance, it makes paying for parking easier.

The walk to the Red Beach Hut is very short and will only take 2-3 minutes. Walk up Church Road, turn right onto Woodberry Way. Then, left onto Southcliff.

Take the steps down towards the beach. Past the first row(row5) then turn left in front of the next row, row4. We are D8. There is a number on the door, and you can’t miss it. It’s the red hut with the RED maple leaf.🍁

What to expect
Everything is an invitation. You can choose to take part in anything you wish, or choose to just rest in a lounging chair. This is your day to do what you want to do.

9 am Welcome –
Arrive anytime after 9am. Enjoy a cuppa and some downtime.

10.30 Mindful Sea Glass Walk –
This mindful experience encourages you to connect with nature, promoting relaxation and mental clarity.

12 pm Lunch –
A healthy nutritious lunch enjoyed at the beach hut, with a savouring self-compassion practice.

1 pm Expressive Sea Glass Art –
Mosaics or painting or writing – Choose an engaging activity that allows you to blend colours and textures, creating unique works of art that reflect your personal journey.

Explore creative ways of expressing and releasing difficult emotions such as grief, guilt and anger, along with looking at how writing can support us in cultivating and maintaining positive emotions such as hope and joy.

5.30 Reflection –
Reflection on the day and what you’d like to take home with you.

6 pm Close

If you have any questions, message or post a comment.

10/07/2025

NEW: “We know it’s hard to reach out"

10/07/2025

🌸

The impact of alcohol harm is widespread and destructive, often leaving loved ones feeling powerless and isolated.

In Essex, we have incredible organisations who can support families grappling with the impact a loved ones substance use.

Please see below links for more information or call us on 01206 766096 and we can direct you to the correct support.

Blossome:
https://www.blossome.support/

The Children's Society:
https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/information/young-people/east/family-support-group

Al-Anon:
https://al-anonuk.org.uk/

10/07/2025

Today we are at the DDN Magazine conference in Birmingham.

Kim will be giving an emotive talk on Healing Families: The Ripple Effect of Self care and Self Compassion on Families.

We will also be meeting other organisations working in this important space so if you're here do come and say hello.

08/07/2025

Qigong on the beach, followed by a swim and then dinner in the beach hut. The sound of the waves.. the moon in the sky…. Such a beautiful experience. 🌸

“I’m feeling relaxed, calm and full of love.”

“I feel really grateful to have had this experience. And that feeling of it’s all ok, having permission to take this time for me. We were all supposed to be here. The coming together in the circle.. so lovely.”

It’s been like a beautiful tonic. With a lovely moment in the sea.”

You had to be there to know what happened in The sea. 😬

If you weren’t able to attend, we have a beach hut day on Saturday. Book your ticket and experience the joy. 🌸

08/07/2025

🌊 A gentle invitation… to An Evening to Exhale

We’ve had a couple of last-minute cancellations for this evening’s Qigong by the Sea — so there’s space if you feel the pull to come.

You don’t need to know what Qigong is. You don’t need to be ‘good’ at anything.

This isn’t a fitness class. It’s a gentle, calming way to move your body, steady your mind, and take a breath — by the sea, with kind company.

For anyone who’s been through the stress of supporting someone else, especially through addiction or illness, this is time just for you. Time to exhale. To feel the breeze. To be with others, without pressure or expectation.

We’ll move slowly on the beach, then share supper together in the cosy warmth of the beach hut.

Come as you are. You’ll be warmly welcomed.😊

Message us if you’d like to come, or simply book your ticket. There’s still time to say yes to yourself.

Book your ticket here 👇
https://www.blossome.support/event/qigong-by-sea/

07/07/2025

🫶Alcohol Awareness Week 🫶
This Alcohol Awareness Week, we shine a light on the silent suffering of families affected by a loved one’s drinking. Family members are on the frontline - and need support too.

This year's theme is alcohol and work.

It’s the sickening knot in your stomach as you dial their workplace, rehearsing the lie — “He’s/She's not feeling well.”
You’re covering for the chaos again, your voice steady while inside you're breaking. It’s not flu. It’s not food poisoning. It’s drink - again.

And each time you do it, a little more of you disappears.

Making that call is one of the many invisible acts of survival.
You do it because you’re holding everything together, again. You say they’re sick, but what you really mean is, “I’m exhausted, and I don’t know what else to do.”

We are offering a range of activities this week, for anyone affected by someone else's, alcohol misuse. Discover how self-compassion and gentle support can help you through some difficult times.

We know how hard it is to reach out, so we hold out a hand to you. 🫱🤗

We get it. We know the heartache.
We've all made that call into their work.
We also know that your first reaction will be can my loved one take part too?
It's time to prioritise YOU.

Put your oxygen mask on first.
Do your seatbelt up first.
and you'll be able to support your loved one better.

Read the article: Alcohol Awareness Week: When a Loved One's Drinking Affects You Too
https://www.blossome.support/2025/07/07/alcohol-awareness-week-when-a-loved-ones-drinking-affects-you-too/

06/07/2025

Another glorious sunrise dip this morning, filled with calm and courage, overcoming fears - discovering a little more about ourselves. 🥰

It’s not just about the water,
it’s also about waking up early
and the journey to the beach hut.
And it’s about choosing to do something for you.
Time for your selfcare.

Every aspect of this selfcare activity builds resilience.

And oh the reward as you let go…
and allow the water to hold you… 🌸

Our next dip is Sunday 3rd August. Book your ticket and discover something incredible inside of you.

https://www.blossome.support/event/sunrise-dip-2-4-2/2025-08-03/

05/07/2025

🌞What's On in the Blossome Community in July🌞
With Alcohol Awareness week 7-13th July, there is plenty of self-care activities to explore in the Blossome Community this month and plenty of opportunity to get sand between your toes. Discover the benefits of the seaside, how to cultivate inner peace, calm and happiness too - no matter what chaos is happening around you.

All of our Self-care activities are open to anyone. This is our way of removing the shame and stigma around addiction that stops families from seeking support. It becomes overwhelming and chaotic and you can lose yourself while trying to help your loved one stop using. The whole family needs support, and that's why we offer these activities - to support YOU.

🌸Respite care for you.
🌸Connection with others who understand, and won't judge.
🌸Skills training to learn how to cope better.
🌸Learn to prioritise your own self-care.
🌸And learn to treat yourself with loving kindness. Life is hard enough without you being hard on yourself too.

It's time to care for YOU.

Anyone can join us. when you do, you'll discover others who have been affected by someone else's substance misuse or any addiction, people who understand the heartache.

No judgement. No fixing. Just a safe space for you to experience your emotions and to learn how to regulate them and how to care for you. You are worthy love and care and support too. There is support for families and you are welcome to explore any or all of these self-care activities.

Learn more about each by clicking on the links:

Sunday 06 July - Sunrise Dip in the Sea:
https://www.blossome.support/event/sunrise-dip-2-4-2/2025-07-06/

Tuesday 8th July - An Evening to Exhale - Qigong by the Sea
https://www.blossome.support/event/qigong-by-sea/

Thursday 10th July - Resourcing Me Self-compassion skills training
https://www.blossome.support/event/mindful-selfcompassion-dropin-series-2-2-2-2/2025-07-10/

Saturday 12 July - Beach Hut Day - Self-care by the Sea
https://www.blossome.support/event/selfcare-by-sea/

If you have any questions about any of these self-care activities, comment or send us a message.

Open Road Clacton Open Road Colchester Open Road Phoenix Futures The Colte Partnership PCN NHS SNEE ICB - North East Essex Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Headway Essex Emmaus Colchester Colchester City Council Tendring District Council Essex Police Essex Police - Tendring District

05/07/2025

A week today we will be hosting our first Beach Hut Day to round off .
The day will be filled with self-care activities from sea glass walks and art sessions, to expressive writing and mindful self-compassion sessions.
If life is feeling overwhelming right now due to a loved one's addiction then this is the perfect opportunity for you to take some time for yourself with other people who get it. It's completely free and you can come whenever suits you. We just ask that you book a free ticket, making that commitment to your self-care - and we can plan for numbers.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of beach huts at Southcliff, Walton-on-the-Naze, this day is designed to help you explore various self-care activities. Choose from a range of activities that you can participate in.

02/07/2025

🗳️ We need your support - Vote for Blossome.
Important: Voting Closes Friday 4th of July so please vote now, it will only take a minute. 🙏

We are one of 3 projects that have made it into the final round of the Essex Recovery Foundation funding round.

We've got us this far, now we need your support.

Please cast your vote for the Blossome 12-week Self-care programme, supporting family member's affected by a loved one's substance misuse or any addiction.

Use this link to cast your vote. The form steps you through all of the info you need to vote for any or all of the projects that you feel will make a real difference.

Click here to cast your vote. 👇
https://z6347eihwjk.typeform.com/to/bPqaYwj9?typeform-source=www.essexrecoveryfoundation.org

And please share this post to help raise awareness of all 3 great projects.