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Charity Registration no. 1209751
Easyfundraising for DAFS
Who We Are
How We Make a Difference
We work to help families find themselves again within the chaos of their loved one's substance or alcohol addiction.
We provide unconditional, compassionate & empathetic support, in a safe, confidential & non-judgemental environment.
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We share our own lived experiences so that families can connect with each other, build trust, & no longer feel alone.
We are a voluntary service, where all affected family members & friends (18+), regardless of circumstances, are welcome.
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We also work to bring awareness to our communities in an attempt to reduce the stigma. We strongly believe that families deserve recovery too.
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Our Family Support group is built on the belief that everyone has a resilience which can be nurtured with the help of a supportive community.
Our face-to-face meetings provide a safe place, where you can be heard without judgement & build trusting relationships with others, where everything is totally confidential.
DAFS encourages self-care, self-reflection, learning, personal growth & crucially, connection
Join us today to learn more.
Testimonials from our beneficiaries
"Sometimes truly just not feeling alone is the pick me up that carries me through"
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"A non-judgemental, safe & secure environment. Someone may just offer a piece of advice or knowledge that helps you turn a corner & see some light at the end of a dark tunnel"
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"Come along to group & they will help you build your strength. Take it in your own time, only you know the right time to open up. But rest assured when you are ready, these lovely people will be there to hold you up"
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"This group saved my life so keep strong"
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"Thank you for last nights meeting, it really helped more than you know to say it all out loud"
Our fortnightly in-person group sessions are an opportunity for you to make connections, share experiences, fears & most importantly HOPE with others who are going through the same trauma. There is never any pressure to talk, you are welcome to just listen, until you are ready. We encourage kindness, empathy, honesty, respect & above all else, trust. Below is the timetable for our groups - once you have completed our contact form, a member of our team will contact you to have a chat and discuss the best suited location for you.
Fortnightly Groups
Alternative Groups
MONDAY
Willen Surgery, Milton Keynes, MK15 9ET
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The Lighthouse, Linslade
LU7 2TD
Fortnightly face-to-face evening group held at our community location in Willen, Milton Keynes
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7:20 - 8:50pm
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We also hold a fortnightly
face-to-face group in Linslade, Leighton Buzzard
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7:30 - 9pm
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Tea & coffee is provided
(a small voluntary contribution is much appreciated)
TUESDAY
Newport Pagnell Surgery, Milton Keynes, MK16 8QT
Fortnightly face-to-face evening group held at our community location in Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes
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7:20 - 8:50pm
Tea & coffee is provided
(a small voluntary contribution is much appreciated)​
WEDNESDAY
Morrisons in Westcroft, Milton Keynes, MK4 4DD
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Quaker Centre, Bedford, MK40 2BY
Fortnightly face-to-face evening group held at our community location in Westcroft, Milton Keynes
7:30 - 9pm
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We also hold a fortnightly
face-to-face group in Bedford
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7 - 8:30pm
Tea & coffee is provided
(a small voluntary contribution is much appreciated)
MONTHLY
on a FRIDAY
The Discovery Room (next to the Ori Cafe), John Lewis, Milton Keynes, MK9 3ES
A monthly face-to-face daytime group held at The Discovery Room in John Lewis (off Middleton Hall)
Tea & coffee is provided
(a small voluntary contribution is much appreciated)
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11am - 12:30pm
monthly
on a thursday
Online Zoom meeting
A monthly evening group held online via zoom
(a link is posted before each meeting)
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7:30pm - 9pm
A separate Sibling WhatsApp group
We have a WhatsApp group for siblings of loved ones in addiction, where they can share their experiences with others in similar situations
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Other Activities
REGULAR WELL-BEING CRAFT SESSIONS
On regular dates throughout the year, we hold a well-being craft session for group attendees, allowing some time to focus attention on something positive & creative. It is an opportunity to do something for ourselves for a couple of hours whilst connecting with others at the same time. See some photos of our amazing creations in the Gallery.
At each of these sessions we make something different - you don't need to be any kind of creative genius to attend these, all skill levels are welcome....you may just surprise yourselves & unveil talents you never knew you had!
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REGULAR GUEST SPEAKER SESSIONS
One of our objectives is to provide enhanced knowledge & understanding of the disease of addiction. This helps our families to put themselves in the shoes of their loved one and see their struggles so they can better support them if that's what they wish to do. To achieve this we invite selected guest speakers to share their own recovery journeys with our beneficiaries. These sessions have proved to be extremely powerful & provide families with HOPE that change can & does happen, when someone is ready & with the correct support in place.
We also invite other services along to speak to our beneficiaries to provide knowledge. This has included organisations such as Probation, Citizen's Advice, YMCA, the local Drug & Alcohol service, amongst others. This gives beneficiaries the opportunity to ask any questions they may have in a safe environment so they can better navigate the services. We have also found it helps families to put a human face to a service & understand the constraints that they may be faced with.
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