Our history

How we started

2012

ESRA was started in 2012 by volunteers who were in recovery. It became apparent from the numbers of people using the service that this was a very valuable support service and the only service of its type.

2014

ESRA was formally registered as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2014. Formal management, including a CEO and a hub manager, was put into place to support the growing demand of the recovery services.

2018

ESRA was registered as a charity [Number 1179560] in 2018. It is still led by a CEO and a group of trustees. ESRA still has an active group of volunteers who are all in recovery.

2020

ESRA is a county-wide service with recovery cafes in Hastings and Eastbourne. Support is available to anyone who is already in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.

We know that people recover in different ways and we are open-minded about how people do that.

2023

On the 31st May 2023 ESRA will no longer be working from the cafe north in  Eastbourne. ESRA will continue to offer support from our Hastings hub. to everyone across East Sussex.

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