Blossome brings Self-Care for Grieving Hearts to Walton-on-the-Naze

This winter, Blossome is bringing its transformative 12-Week Self-Care for Grieving Hearts programme to Walton-on-the-Naze, a gentle start to the new year for those living with the pain of a loved one’s addiction The programme offers a safe, non-judgemental and compassionate space for people affected by someone else’s drinking, drug use, gambling or any addiction, a place for their own respite and recovery. Thanks to funding from the Essex Recovery Foundation, the programme will run one evening every week from January to March 2026 at the Walton & Frinton Yacht Club.

Twelve participants will take part, exploring different self-care activities designed to help them discover what truly nourishes them, restoring wellbeing, easing anxiety, while rebuilding confidence and resilience to manage life’s adversities. Activities include Qi Gong, dance, singing, restorative yoga, expressive art, and writing for wellbeing. The wide range of activities spans physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and financial self-care. Every trauma-aware session is led by a qualified facilitator and tailored to those who’ve spent years with their nervous systems in super vigilance survival mode, often putting their own needs last.

For many, it will be the first time they’ve had space to focus on themselves, to rest, reconnect, and feel understood, meeting others in the same boat.

The programme will be hosted by Nic Brooker, Blossome’s Director of Community and a graduate of the summer 2024 course. “When I joined Blossome, I was lost and felt isolated,” Nic shares. “I didn’t realise how much I’d forgotten myself while trying to hold everything together at home. Week by week, I started to find calm, even moments of joy, and belief that I mattered too. Hosting this programme in Walton means everything to me. I want others to know they’re not alone, and that healing is possible.”

Supporting Nic is Blossome’s founder Kim Moore, who created the organisation after losing her husband, Chris, to chronic alcoholism. Blossome was born at Kim’s beach hut in Walton — the place where her own healing began. “Walton holds my heart,” Kim says. “The sea and open sky helped me to slow down, to pause and breathe again. Bringing the Blossome self-care programme here feels like a homecoming.”

The Colte Partnership encouraged Blossome to launch in Walton and has helped promote the programme through local GP surgeries. “Walton rarely receives this kind of funding,” Kim adds. “We’re deeply grateful to the Essex Recovery Foundation for believing in our work.”

Steve Lawson, of the Essex Recovery Foundation, said: “We’re proud to fund this self-care programme. Blossome offers a lifeline for families living in the shadow of addiction, creating safe spaces where compassion and community can begin to heal.”

Bex Walton and Frinton Yacht Club, which is hosting the programme, said: “Our community is at the heart of WFYC and the club is proud to support Blossome and the enormously important work they are doing in this community.”

Alongside the new programme, Blossome hosts sunrise cold-water dips and pancake breakfasts from The Red Beach Hut twice a month, as well as the annual New Year’s Day Big Dip — strengthening local ties through sea, nature, and shared recovery. “Christmas can be the hardest time for families living with addiction,” Kim reflects. “This January, we’re offering a gentler start — a space to set small, loving intentions and feel supported to keep them. Healing doesn’t need a big plan. It just has to begin.”

If you’ve been silently coping, this could be your moment to breathe again.

How to Apply:

Applications are open now for Essex residents affected by a loved one’s addiction. Spaces are limited to 12 participants.

Visit the website and fill in the application form. blossome.support/self-care-programmes/12-week-self-care