Coronavirus response update – March 20th 2020

You will have already read about the changes we have made at The Living Room around our group therapy at Watford and assessments elsewhere on March 13th: Coronavirus and our response. We are currently using Zoom, a video calling service, to hold our Watford group sessions and will be doing the same with people who use our Stevenage and St Albans services, starting on Monday 23rd March.

Our counsellors have been practicing using the software, and are confident about delivering groups using it, and we are also encouraging people who are isolating to make use of the online resources that are available for you to practice self-care and continue your recovery (see the bottom of this page).

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you (clients, staff and our professional partners) for the amazing way you have all taken this in your stride. These are challenging times and we must all pitch in to support each other. We would also like to say an extra special thank you to Watford Community Housing Trust for generously waiving our rent at the Meriden Community Centre until we are back to normal.

How will these new changes affect my treatment?

Like our clients in Watford, anyone accessing the Stevenage or St Albans services will be invited to continue group therapy remotely using Zoom. Don’t worry our counsellors will be in touch to show you exactly what to do and help you adjust to these changes.

What if I'm new or have just been referred to The Living Room?

We are not taking referrals currently, we hope this is a temporary situation, as we are prioritising our resources to our current clients. Please use the online support for substance use Breaking Free Online with the code herts11

Online help and support

· If you are in recovery from drugs or alcohol, you can access a free, 24/7 online treatment program called Breaking Free using your email address and the access code herts11

· Change Grow Live have a page on their website dedicated to online support and phone apps (scroll to the bottom)

· Find advice on how to look after your mental health during this time at mentalhealth.org.uk and mind.org.uk