March updates 2025
Heads up Tournament
On Monday the 3rd of March we attended the ‘Heads Up’ tournament with NTFC in the community. Players from all Bridge centres attended, as well as players/teams from Recovery House, NTFC and St Andrews.
The weather was great, and the football was even better. Some new players attended their first tournament, and were made to feel welcome by all.
This was another well-hosted tournament, played in the right spirit, which ended with Bridge taking home the winners trophy.
But the best thing about the day? The support everyone gave to each other. Lots of people making new friendships in recovery. It’s inspiring to see so many doing so well in their recovery.
It’s what it’s all about!
Pamper day bliss
Anxiety, depression and addiction are all things that can negatively impact your life in every way, and we often see our members neglecting themselves as a result. Personal Hygiene and self-care can come quite low on the list of priorities which makes it really important for us to step in and make sure members know that they are worthy of self love.
In March, we arranged a Mini Spa day for members to enjoy for free. Treatments included facials, head massages, healthy food, Pilates, Hand massages, Reiki, and Restorative Yoga, and some of these were provided by our members.
The booking list for each treatment filled up quickly, with each station having a queue of eager people waiting to be pampered…. and pampered they were!
We started the day with a taster class of Pilates which focused on reducing anxiety and stress. Members thoroughly enjoyed this and we have now incorporated this in to our April Timetable as an ongoing group.
Members then worked their way around each of the treatment stations, enjoying moments of pampering and peace and quiet.
Our Kitchen Coordinator prepared some healthy fruit salads and sandwiches, whilst other members of the team delivered reiki, massages and so on.
Members thoroughly enjoyed the day, saying that it had been the best pamper day they had been to, and they left all feeling relaxed.
We finished the day with a Taster group for Restorative Yoga, where members were able to lay back in a meditative state and allow their bodies, mind (and parasympathetic nervous system) to relax and regulate, and yes, a few did fall asleep!
All in all, it was a lovely day with a lovely vibe, and members left feeling invigorated and happy, and the amazing feedback we received highlighted this
Equine Therapy
Members from Wellingborough and Corby had a fantastic day with Live Love Be Equine Therapy near Brackley. They spent the day in the sunshine getting up close with the horses under the excellent supervision of Emma, who is a qualified Psychotherapist. Members had a wonderful day grooming and fussing the horses, and of course the resident dog, before having lunch around the campfire and talking as a group. After lunch, everyone enjoyed some time in the sun doing art therapy, decorating horse shoes and other activities, before spending time with their chosen horse on a one to one basis. Members always love these days at Live Love Be, and we are happy to say that Northampton members will be attending in early April (hopefully we will avoid the April Showers). Everyone leaves the farm with a smile on their face, a photograph of their chosen horse, and a memory that will last them a lifetime. We are so grateful to Emma and the horses at Live Love Be for everything they do for our members and we can’t wait to be back again in April.
Table Tennis Tournament
On Monday the 3rd of March we attended the ‘Heads Up’ tournament with NTFC in the community. Players from all Bridge centres attended, as well as players/teams from Recovery House, NTFC and St Andrews.
The weather was great, and the football was even better. Some new players attended their first tournament, and were made to feel welcome by all.
This was another well-hosted tournament, played in the right spirit, which ended with Bridge taking home the winners trophy.
But the best thing about the day? The support everyone gave to each other. Lots of people making new friendships in recovery.
Then on Wednesday the 19th of March, Bridge held a table tennis tournament with members from all around the county attending.
Thank you to everyone who attended both tournaments.
It’s inspiring to see so many doing so well in their recovery.
It’s what it’s all about!
Over 30 players played, plus many more spectators made for a great atmosphere in our Northampton building.
After 3 and a half hours of play, and up to 7 games of table tennis for most players, we had 2 new champions, with John winning the Paul Murphy Cup beating Leon, and Sorrel winning the Plate beating Kieran.
Lots of laughs and camaraderie, and as always it was great to have Recovery House – Encompass Charity in attendance. Thank you to everyone who attended , it’s a great celebration of recovery.
Knit and Natter Blanket
We shared the story of our Knit and Natter group from Wellingborough making a blanket previously, and mentioned how they were planning to donate it to someone who needed it.
Well, the blanket was completed and donated to a member who was about to move in to their new home.
Here you can see the blanket being presented, and enjoyed.
What a fabulous offering and a beautiful creation.
Well done everyone.
