On 16th October, Evoke partnered with ROAR Recovery and The Forward Trust for an inspiring workshop day at The Lakehouse in Kent. Surrounded by the serene beauty of lakes, fountains, and yurts, participants engaged in a day dedicated to creativity, emotional healing, and connection, all within a supportive recovery community. The morning workshop, led by Evoke mentors Sami and Jazzi—who facilitated her first workshop as a newly trained mentor—began with a gratitude exercise to help participants feel comfortable and grounded. Jazzi noted, “A lot of people came into the room a little bit apprehensive, but everyone came away with something powerful.” Through creative writing prompts, attendees were encouraged to explore personal reflections and emotions. One participant shared that they wrote about pride and the deep significance it held in their life through connections with family and peers. “To see the life come back on in people’s eyes… full of love, pride, acceptance, and forgiveness of myself,” they expressed. This reflection highlighted the day’s focus on self-discovery and connection. In the afternoon, Sami was joined by Evoke founder Cam for a session that delved further into themes of self-expression and acceptance through poetry. For some, the creative process unearthed unexpected emotions, as one attendee shared: “I think I built something that I’m actually quite proud of.” Many participants created pieces they felt a deep connection to, reinforcing the role of creativity in building resilience and personal pride. Ella from ROAR Recovery captured the value of the workshops beautifully: “The Evoke workshop is amazing… it’s so beneficial for people new to sobriety to process emotions they might struggle with.” As another attendee summarised, “I feel serenity here. Connectivity. Unity. It’s just beautiful.” The day concluded with resounding requests to return, underscoring the impact of creativity and unity in the recovery journey. We look forward to continuing this powerful work and deepening these connections at future sessions at The Lakehouse. 1