What we do

ESRA provides drug and alcohol recovery services for anyone over the age of 18. Anyone can turn up, with or without a referral, and ask to access any of our services.

Due to unprecedented demand, general referrals have been suspended until further notice.

We are still accepting referrals for Care Around Treatment (CAT).

Our vision

We empower, build confidence, encourage responsibility and promote physical and mental well-being in all those in recovery from substance misuse.

Our values

At ESRA we believe in:

• Trust

• Honesty

• Transparency

• Responsibility

• Building on people’s strengths

• Being non-judgmental

• Respect

• Open-mindedness

Care Around Treatment

ESRA support services have ben extended to include clients who are preparing to go into rehab.

This comes at a time when we have seen unprecedented demand at ESRA, having received more referrals in one month after lockdown than during the whole of last year.

Senior Support Workers Ally Withey (Hastings) and Dave Toler (Eastbourne) talk to the client over 6 weeks prior to treatment during which time they discuss the following aspects:

• Rehab Culture

• Finances

• Rehab Activities

• Recovery Capital

• Aftercare

This preparatory phase ends with a guest speaker who will come and talk to the client. This is someone who has already completed treatment. The idea is to reassure the new client, to answer questions and to offer encouragement.

The recovery cafes

Our cafes are conveniently located near the train stations in Hastings and Eastbourne. The Hastings hub is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Cafe North is Eastbourne is temporarily closed.

The cafes provide a safe place for people in recovery to meet, talk in confidence and to support one another.

Cooked breakfasts are served, along with a hot lunch, both at reasonable prices. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate is available all day.

The low cost of healthy food and a warm welcoming environment helps people gain the confidence to join in with groups and activities.

Groups and activities (currently suspended)

People who come to our recovery cafes are encouraged to attend the a recovery group and take part in the social activities. People from all walks of life come to ESRA, and our timetables offer a range of things to do. Many of them are hosted at ESRA, and some are offered by partner organisations in the community. 

The drop-ins (currently suspended)

At ESRA regularly host drop-ins with professionals in partner organisations, including Homeworks, Southdown and the DWP. Anyone can book an appointment to see any of them and to discuss and resolve specific worries or issues. 

Support for veterans (currently suspended)

We have partnered with East Sussex Veterans' Hub who have an office at ESRA in Hastings. They specialist support for veterans dealing with the effects of addiction and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

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