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Welcome to Recovery First Housing CIC

A supported housing provision with a difference. Recovery First Housing CIC offers intensive housing management and recovery support to men and women who have 28 days abstinence and wish to live in an abstinent based home within a recovery community.

“All we need is somewhere to live, something to do and someone to love”

About us

Recovery First Housing CIC is dedicated to providing a safe and secure living environment, alongside person-centered pathway plans to vulnerable people who have suffered from addiction issues. Our service aims to give you the opportunities needed to maximise success.

Recovery First Housing CIC offers family style homes in the heart of the community. Our homes in Southend-On-Sea are close to the beach, the town center, the university and local recovery meetings.

Recovery First Housing CIC offers lower tier support, mostly funded through housing benefit and/or universal credit. If a higher level of support is needed, a more intensive support package can be provided or funded by a partner agency. Grants are sometimes accessed to assist people in recovery. Privately funded accommodation options are available subject to assessment.

The Facts

Substance abuse is the single largest cause of homelessness.

32% of all deaths among homeless people in England, in 2017, were a result of drug poisoning. This compares with 1% for the general population

Alcohol misuse is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health and disability among 15–49 year-olds in the UK, and the fifth-biggest risk factor across all ages

There were 270,705 adults in contact with drug and alcohol services between April 2019 and March 2020

More than half of people starting treatment said they had a mental health need (59%) and a quarter (25%) of people who had a mental health needs were not receiving any treatment to meet this need.

What causes addiction

There are many reasons why people use drugs. Some can use drugs socially while others can develop harmful dependences. There are several theories that are widely accepted as precursors to addiction but there is not a one size fits all concept. The main concepts we encompass at Recovery First Housing CIC are neurobiological, psychological, and psycho-social which includes behaviourism and sociocultural causes.

We underpin our work with the set and setting theory and the ACE model (adverse childhood experiences).

Our past residents

See what some of our previous residents had to say about our team and the services we provided.

It’s been an incredible experience for me here. From day one, when I was a fearful, timid man, to now, where I have been learning how to alter my life, I have come a long way. I’ve grown as a person as a result of my work with Recovery First Housing. I’m confident in myself and I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time.

Jonathan, Our past resident

Without a doubt, the most crucial two years of my life has been so much easier with the help of Recovery First Housing CIC. The practitioners and support staff have all been outstanding. I had no idea empathy and understanding could be at such a high level, especially from strangers. They’ve gone from being my guides, to my friends.

Marcus, Our past resident

I went in with no idea what to anticipate, no idea who I’d be with, and no idea where I’d be heading. What I discovered was a network of people who shared the same condition as me – addiction. We learned together, became friends together, and discovered ourselves during our time together, all the while being helped by Recovery First Housing CIC and their programme.

Amy, Our past resident

Contacting Recovery First Housing CIC may have saved both my life and my marriage. I’ll be eternally grateful for the tools and knowledge they’ve given me to help me get on top of my addictions.

Ian, Our past resident


There’s nothing wrong with
reaching out for help

“All we need is somewhere to live, something to do and someone to love”