Groups at Bridge

In Small Goals, Big Changes, members set specific and manageable goals each week that helps them towards their bigger goals. These goals can range from being centred on their recovery to their own personal development. This is done through a worksheet that prompts members to set their main goal and then specify what they will do that week to work towards it.
The worksheet can also help people set a routine and help them stick to it, which a lot of people find helpful. Focusing on setting smaller goals helps members avoid feeling overwhelmed and more often leads to more sustainable changes.

Relapse Prevention will give you the tools you need to stay focused on your recovery. The group is perfect for anyone who wants to commit to recovery, learn about themselves and their addiction and think about how they can create healthy habits and coping strategies.

Members provide support and guidance to one another, often helping each other problem solve and think of their issues from another perspective.

In the room we may have a member clean for 3 years and another 3 days. Members feedback that it is very beneficial to reflect on where they have been or look and see where they could be.

You are welcome to join in the discussion as little or as much as you would like.

In Wellingborough, Relapse Prevention is run as a 5 weekly themed rolling structured discussion.

In week 1 we introduce ourselves and get to know each other, discuss group rules and what we expect to learn.

Week 2 assesses our history with drugs and alcohol and we will discuss what we think caused a prior relapse.

Week 3 will explore our triggers and how we can manage them.

Week 4 discusses cravings and tools we can put in place to reduce and manage them.

Week 5 will look at the lifestyle changes we have made to amend the damage our addiction has caused and how we can continue to make positive choices.

Whilst the Wellingborough sessions are structured we encourage lots of input from members and if someone has something related that they need to talk about in the group setting then they are able to.

At Bridge we offer both Auricular Acupuncture and Meditation. They are very therapeutic and popular sessions so please be advised to book one If you are struggling to relax and are battling with thoughts of using we would definitely recommend this group for you.  At Bridge we give acupuncture using the NADA Protocol; this method of acupuncture specifically targets and supports individuals with addiction issues. It involves the insertion of 5 small needles into specific points within the ear said to correlate with areas of the body. The areas we work on are ‘Shen men’ (spirit gate) which reduces anxiety, the sympathetic point which focuses on calming the nervous system, the kidney point to target organ healing, the liver point for detoxing and blood purification, and the lung point to promote aeration and to help us let go of grief.

Member feedback after attending this group is overwhelmingly positive and members often say they have never felt this relaxed sober before, the effects often lasting days. If you are nervous about having needles in the ear then we would encourage you to come and watch and perhaps just join in for mediation at first. We can also offer ear magnets as an alternative to needles if you are struggling with a needle phobia.

Poetry Group is a creative group that focuses on the social. Grab a cuppa and join us for an hour reading your poetry, reading poems you are fond of or just listening to other members’ poems and the discussion and laughter it provokes. All welcome either in person or on zoom.

A friendly get together of members, who often might surprise you with the verses they produce. Ideal for members who want to make new friends or just want a cuppa and natter.

“I look forward to the Poetry Group every week, we don’t take poetry too seriously and often I don’t even have a poem, but still enjoy the company and other people’s poems. It’s just a fun group. If my health isnt too good I can still join online and it feels like I’ve managed to get out of the house!”

This is a peer led group where female members can talk about their recovery in a safe, confidential and comfortable environment and get support from other members and facilitators too.

Member feedback:  “It helps one’s own recovery by listening to other people’s journey”.

Men’s group is an informal recovery centric session encouraging peer to peer mutual support. Especially beneficial for members who are awaiting detox/rehab or have recently attended. We discuss the many pressures men face in their everyday lives and look at new ways to cope free from alcohol & substance addiction. There is no pressure on having to talk and you can come and just listen to the shared experiences of fellow members attending.

Within the group the agenda is to look at areas of our lives that we are grateful for. It could be physical things, connections with family or friends or specific feelings that we have around areas of our life that are going well. It can also help to highlight areas where members may be struggling. It can identify what life was like before and what it’s like now, and reflect on how things have improved.

Finding gratitude can improve your overall well being and boost self belief, reduce stress, and generally focus on positive aspects of your life. The group promotes a positive mindset amongst members and reminds them to celebrate any positive steps forward that they have made.

Every Thursday In Northampton we go out for a walk around different areas. Whilst walking we have a chat and take in the different sights as well as doing some “wombling” which involves collecting litter and helping to make the local area cleaner, in support of the Northants Litter Wombles, a group set up to do the very same and have a vision of a litter free Northamptonshire.

Our Housing Support Drop-In is here to assist everyone with any housing-related concerns. Whether you need support after receiving an eviction notice , contacting your housing provider with a repair, or receiving  guidance with your housing application, we’re here for you. If your situation is more complex and we’re unable to resolve your issue on the day, we will arrange an appointment with the Housing Team for the following week to ensure you get the support you need.

Our Budgeting Support session is available to assist with any financial concerns you may have. We offer help with arranging payment plans, debt support, managing finances, and ensuring you’re receiving the correct benefits. If you need assistance transitioning from legacy benefits to Universal Credit, we’re here to guide you through the process. 

These groups are informal groups held every week in our café areas in Wellingborough and Northampton. The groups offers a relaxing and creative space for members to come together and learn a new skill or brush up on existing skills. The groups are a place to connect with others, unwind and enjoy meaningful conversations whilst working on crochet projects. Join us each week for a cup of tea, a few stitches and great conversation.  So many people have learnt crocheting and are really enjoying it.  Some of them are doing complex crocheting which is amazing, and we even had a member in Wellingborough who came to the group not knowing how to crochet go on to crochet a teddy bear!

The session is delivered in partnership with Northampton Town Football in the Community. The session starts off with a warmup, then a mini skill or game activity.

The session takes place at Northampton Racecourse 12pm – until 1.30pm. If you want to attend but do not have a kit, speak to a member of staff who may be able to help.

Every Friday across all 3 Bridge sites we have a quiz. All sites compete as teams via zoom in the name of fun to see who will be victorious that week. Any members at each site are welcome to get involved and there is normally a good turn out. Don’t worry if you can’t make it in to Bridge on a Friday though, as this quiz can also be accessed by members via zoom link in our online timetable, so if you’d like to have a go then why not join?

In Northampton we offer lessons to anyone interested in playing the drums, from absolute beginners to experienced players. Our tutor will teach the absolute basics to get you started and with more experienced players will look at improving technique, feel, timing and mindset towards playing. Our tutor sees this process as a learning experience himself and is humbled to show people what he loves doing. 

Aaron sending write up

The group will focus on cardio fitness and endurance but will also work on leg strength and stability. The group will work to the rhythm of music matching the cadence of their pedal rotations. Participants of any level of fitness can join in. Spaces are strictly limited to three so members will need to book in advance.

The class is a series of body weight exercises that incorporate all the major muscle groups. Members will start in standing exercises, and progress to floor based movements. The group is open to people of all fitness levels, although people with mobility issues or significant injuries should be referred to the Gym Manager prior to attending.

This group is a low impact, low intensity activity class for the rehabilitation of lung capacity for those suffering with COPD, Asthma, Emphysema and other Respiratory conditions. Some weeks we may go out for walks to challenge breathing in a different environment, and other weeks we may just do breathing exercises. Members wishing to join will need to book a fitness assessment with the Gym Manager prior to their first class. The group will operate at the same intensity as the Re-Start Pulmonary Rehab programme operated by the NHS.

A short workout using light weights and resistance bands to strengthen and tone the body in an effective and enjoyable workout. All are welcome.

During the health check drop in, members can access support in contacting their GP for appointments, test results, help, advice, and so on. It is also an opportunity to discuss physiotherapy exercises that have been prescribed, measure Blood Pressure, Blood Oxygen levels, peak flow, and discuss musculoskeletal injuries that may require specialist exercise support or medical intervention.
Members are also able to provide medication reports to check for negative interactions which may not have been picked up by their healthcare team, and pharmacist appointments made to review this. In addition, members can discuss GP Referrals, or healthcare referrals to other services during this time.