Open Road Vange

Open Road Vange Open Road is an established Drug and Alcohol Recovery support charity in Essex and Medway.

🤝Behind every role is a real person.At our centre, we know that recovery is built on connection, trust and relationships...
27/03/2026

🤝Behind every role is a real person.

At our centre, we know that recovery is built on connection, trust and relationships. Taking the time to get to know the people behind the job titles helps break down barriers and reminds us that we’re all human first.

This is a chance to share a bit of personality, have some fun, and show the faces behind the support — because feeling comfortable with the people around you can make all the difference in recovery.

What’s your go-to comfort food?
🍋 Lemon Drizzle Cake.

What music are you currently listening to?
🎶 90's Classics.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
🇺🇸 Disneyland Florida is my favourite place in the world.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
🫥 Invisibility

What film or series can you watch over and over again?
⚔️ Game of Thrones.

What’s the most rewarding part of your role?
💫 Seeing my clients engage with normal societal activities and regaining confidence.

What’s one message you would give to someone at the start of their recovery journey?
🗣️ Be positive and give yourself credit for walking through the door.

Describe yourself in 3 words?
🤪 Sarcastic, Caring and Fun.

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27/03/2026

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🥺Saying goodbye to our amazing placement student Ruth. Thank you so much for all your hard work. The world is yours 🌎   ...
26/03/2026

🥺Saying goodbye to our amazing placement student Ruth. Thank you so much for all your hard work.

The world is yours 🌎

💙✨ Welcome to the Team, Hannah! ✨💙We’re really pleased to welcome Hannah to the Open Road Vange team as our newest Recov...
26/03/2026

💙✨ Welcome to the Team, Hannah! ✨💙

We’re really pleased to welcome Hannah to the Open Road Vange team as our newest Recovery Champion.

Hannah has come through our service and has been a consistent and valued presence within our groups throughout her recovery journey. During this time, we’ve seen just how supportive she is to others — always offering encouragement, understanding and using her lived experience to inspire those around her.

Hannah has shown a real commitment to her own recovery, and in doing so, has become a positive influence within the recovery community. Her ability to empower herself while uplifting others is exactly what peer support is all about.

Going forward, Hannah will be co-facilitating our Active Change and Building Foundations alcohol groups alongside recovery workers Kylie and Tom. She will also continue to be a strong presence within the centre, helping to make recovery visible and supporting others on their journey.

We’re proud to have Hannah join the team and look forward to seeing her continue to grow and make a difference.

Welcome to the team, Hannah! 💙

💙✨ Recovery Story – Anne ✨💙Today we are proud to share the inspirational recovery journey of Anne.Anne is currently five...
25/03/2026

💙✨ Recovery Story – Anne ✨💙

Today we are proud to share the inspirational recovery journey of Anne.

Anne is currently five months abstinent from co***ne and alcohol — an incredible achievement after over 30 years of active substance use, where she used to cope to block out past trauma.

For many years, Anne didn’t reach out for support and wasn’t aware of the help available to her — something that continued to fuel her addiction. But everything changed when she took that first brave step.

In Anne’s own words:
“Ever since I reached out to Open Road, I’ve felt like a free woman.”
“Open Road have saved my life.”

Since engaging with our service, Anne’s commitment to her recovery has been nothing short of outstanding. She has worked closely with her recovery worker Kirstie, engaged in counselling with our volunteer counsellor Jacky, and has been a constant, positive presence within our group sessions. Her passion for recovery is so uplifting to everyone around her.

Anne hasn’t just focused on her own recovery — she has become an inspirational figure to others, offering support, encouragement and showing what is possible with dedication and belief.

As part of her journey, Anne also attended SHARP Rehab, where she successfully graduated on 6th March — a huge milestone and testament to the hard work she has put in.

Anne’s story is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to make a change, no matter how long you have been struggling.

We’ll leave you with her words:

“Don’t be in fear of past trauma — the support is there. If you really want it, you can get it.”

Anne, we are incredibly proud of you 💙

💙✨ Thank You, Andrea ✨💙Today we want to take a moment to recognise and celebrate the incredible journey and contribution...
25/03/2026

💙✨ Thank You, Andrea ✨💙

Today we want to take a moment to recognise and celebrate the incredible journey and contribution of Andrea, as she moves on from her volunteering role with us.

Andrea first came through our service seeking support with her substance misuse and quickly became a regular and valued member of our relapse prevention group amongst others . During that time, she put in an unbelievable amount of work on herself — showing honesty, courage and a real commitment to change.

As Andrea grew in confidence, our Engagement Coordinator Jamie recognised the strengths she had to offer, and volunteering became a natural next step in her recovery journey. In April 2024, Andrea joined the Open Road Vange team as a Peer Mentor — and from that moment on, she truly made the role her own.

Andrea brought creativity, passion and energy into the centre. She took ownership of the Creative Arts Group, transforming it with themed sessions, seasonal ideas and meaningful projects. One standout moment was her involvement in supporting Essex Recovery Foundation with decorations for their 2025 Recovery Festival — a project that empowered so many of the clients involved.

She also led a hugely popular Walk & Talk group throughout the spring and summer of 2025, creating space for connection, fresh air and conversation. During the colder months, she continued that support through our peer support group, always ensuring people had somewhere to go and someone to talk to. She was also head chef in our Breakfast club, over buttering toast and crumpets for our lovely clients 😁

Alongside all of this, Andrea was always willing to help — supporting with reception, being present in the centre, and most importantly, making recovery visible every single day.

Andrea’s kindness, thoughtfulness and empathy have had a lasting impact on both clients and staff. She has been a role model of what recovery can look like and a reminder of the power of giving back.

While we are sad to see her go, we are incredibly proud of everything she has achieved and grateful for everything she has given to the service.

Thank you, Andrea — you will always be part of the Open Road community 💙

This week in Relapse Prevention we did a reflective session on Responding vs Reacting. In recovery, one of the biggest c...
24/03/2026

This week in Relapse Prevention we did a reflective session on Responding vs Reacting.

In recovery, one of the biggest challenges isn’t just avoiding substances — it’s how we deal with situations, emotions and stress in the moment.

Reacting is automatic. It’s quick, emotional and often comes from habit. It can look like snapping at someone, walking out, or using substances to cope without thinking it through.

Responding is different. It involves a pause. It means taking a moment to think, even briefly, before choosing what to do next.

The problem is, relapse often lives in reaction — not in response.

🤝Behind every role is a real person.At our centre, we know that recovery is built on connection, trust and relationships...
24/03/2026

🤝Behind every role is a real person.

At our centre, we know that recovery is built on connection, trust and relationships. Taking the time to get to know the people behind the job titles helps break down barriers and reminds us that we’re all human first.

This is a chance to share a bit of personality, have some fun, and show the faces behind the support — because feeling comfortable with the people around you can make all the difference in recovery.

What’s your go-to comfort food?
🍕 Pizza or Pasta

What music are you currently listening to?
🎶 I love musicals and I have them on repeat. I listened to Glee all the way into work ☺️

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
🐠 I'd love to visit Thailand and experience the scuba diving.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
🕊️ To Fly, 100%

What film or series can you watch over and over again?
🧙‍♂️ I'm a massive fan of the Harry Potter movies.

What’s the most rewarding part of your role?
💫 Seeing my clients and others graduate from SHARP Rehab and embark on a new drug and alcohol free life.

What’s one message you would give to someone at the start of their recovery journey?
🗣️ Be Kind to yourself.

Describe yourself in 3 words?
🐾 Golden Retriever Energy

Address

Open Road 13 Southview Rd
Basildon
SS164ER

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 8pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+441268531435

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