Julie’s Enjoying Women’s Group

My name is Julie. I have been visiting the Living Rooms since March 2015. My addiction is alcohol and I was very unwell physically and mentally when I first started attending. I started seeing Dee on a one to one basis, who encouraged me to start coming to the group sessions.

I spent some time in residential rehab.

Once I had completed the programme, I returned to the Living Rooms. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning group sessions have become an essential part of my recovery. I feel a connection and get great support from everybody.

Since then I have become really involved, training as a Recovery Coach and also sitting as Service User Representative on the Living Room Cardiff board.

A Women’s Group was established two years ago due to the interest from many of those attending the Living Rooms. It has been a great success, and is valued by the dozens of women who have attended. The meeting is a good opportunity for women to discuss sensitive issues that may be difficult to express within a mixed group.

We have a more informal and slightly less structured meeting compared to the main groups, and this makes it easier for newcomers to get involved. Often new people get more time to contribute and may feel more comfortable sharing with other women and be more open in their discussions. Many family issues are discussed and we have found that people have made connections and shared similar experiences with each other. Sometimes people have had trust issues with previous relationships; it is important to be able to express freely in a safe environment. We hope it will be a good introduction to see what groups are about.