You are not alone.
At AA, alcoholics help each other. We will support you!
2 Million Members
Today, two million members around the world now live a new way of life.
We are a global Fellowship of alcoholics who help each other and reach out to others struggling with alcoholism.
The West Essex Group of Alcoholics Anonymous are proud to be part of a world-wide movement of fellow alcoholics helping you to stay sober.
90 Years of succesful recovery
The Fellowship was Founded in 1935, our approach works.
AA is concerned solely with the recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics who seek our help.
AA West Essex Group was founded on Friday 8th November 2024.
Anonymity
Anonymity ensures our members don’t get distracted by ego – a desire for recognition or reputation. It helps focus on our main priority: the recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics.
Here at AA West Essex we take anonymity and group safety seriously. You will find in us a safe place to heal from alcohol.
We are an AA recovery group in the western part of Essex
We were founded on Friday 8 November 2024. This group will offer two support groups with two meetings every week:
The AA West Essex Newcomers &
AA West Essex Active Service Crew workshops
Both Offering Experience Strength & Hope - within the Programme of recovery offered by AA.
We look forward to welcoming newcomers, those in their early days of sobriety, returners from a relapse, those coming back from 'research', and explorers who have a true desire to stop drinking.
We also welcome those with long held sobriety to join our committed trusted service team in helping others. Sharing your knowledge around recovery, and the methods you have learned and still use today; not to drink, and the support of the fellowship of AA and how its changed your life forever.
Just for Today - One day at a Time
Welcome...YOU - YES YOU The Newcomer!
WELCOME TO ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
WEST ESSEX HOME GROUP
Newcomers and Active Service Crew Meetings
At AA, alcoholics help each other. And we offer the experienced helping hand if you have a true desire to stop drinking
It's Important to remember 4 simple TRUTHS -
1 You are not alone,
2 We have traveled your road - We know your pain
3 Who better qualified to talk to - we have drunk like you
4 We are here and will support you.
After 6 meetings you will tell us if you are an Alcoholic!
Active Service Crew
Our Active Service Crew meetings. Are workshops designed for those who have been around a while. To enhance knowledge of the 12 Traditions and 12 Concepts of AA. Leaning together in a general sharing type of way.
This is AA...
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship, a diverse community of people, who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any
causes.
Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
How to get to our Group's home...
We are currently a small group of alcoholics. This gives us plenty of time and space to help you feel welcome.
The venue: Our meetings are based in the peaceful and green surroundings of St Thomas of Canterbury Church and Friars, in Woodford Green. It's a truly tranquil and spiritual spot - creating a haven of recovery. Come to the Francis Room upstairs regardless of attending the Newcomers' Meeting or the Active Service Crew.
Coming early: If you arrive early there are nice little close-by green spots to sit, relax, walk through and collect your thoughts. Or a decent fish and chip shop is nearby. If you see any of the Franciscan Friars - they have informed us that they are more than happy to sit and talk with you in the grounds or inside the buildings - as a purely independent expression of their ministry to the local community. Please wait by the entrance to the Becket Centre.
Coming by car: We are located in the corner of the southwestern area of Essex. Conveniently close to the M11/M25 and the A406 North Circular. This means that we are ideally accessible for people coming from Bishops Stortford and Stansted Airport - down the M11 corridor. Less than half an hours drive away. We have access to a very generous car park which is FREE to people coming to our meetings.
We are only 30 minutes from Stansted by car.
Coming by public transport is easy too: Our nearest Tube station is Woodford on the Central Line to Epping. Exit the station from the main exit on the eastbound platform. Out of Station Approach (car park) turn right into The Broadway passed the Sainsbury's on the right. Turn immediately left into Monkham's Avenue. Turn left into Monkham's Avenue. Stay on Monkham's Avenue turning right at the junction with Hutton Close. Stay on Monkham's Avenue turning left. Ahead of you will emerge the Green. Cross over the Green - you will see All Saints' church on the right. The Priory, where we are, will appear in front of you opposite Avon House Preparatory School.
The church has its own designated bus stop "St Thomas of Canterbury Church" served by bus numbers: 20, 179, 657, 679, N55 & W13. For services headed out further east.
We are only one hour away from Harlow by public transport.
If you have any difficulties planning your visit to us, or need a lift, please use the contact form on this website.
BUILDING SAFETY AND LATECOMERS: We are glad that you are here. For it is the Newcomer that keeps AA alive and well. We will aim to greet you upon arrival and take you to the meeting room. If no one is on the door upon arrival, come quietly straight up to the Francis Room.
If arriving late, please find your way to the room quietly. So, as not to disturb other centre users and those living here.
For the security of the Friary, the door may be locked at 20:05 - look out for our 'A' Board giving details of who to call to come and let you in.
We are 'Open', 'Closed' and inclusive
Open meetings: Our Newcomers' meeting is an 'Open Meeting'. This means that family and friends can accompany us. As well as professionals and those interested in Alcoholics Anonymous. This provides the perfect landing space for those new to AA.
Closed meetings: Our Active Service Crew and other meetings are 'Closed Meetings'. This means they are open only to those who feel that they have a problem with alcohol. The reason for this - we feel a need to create a safe space to go into more depth about our personal recovery and the Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous. Other meetings are also where we discuss the business of the Group and how we operate.
Inclusive and friendly: Here at the West Essex Group of Alcoholics Anonymous you will find a warm welcome. Whatever your status outside of our meetings is not an issue here. If you identify as male, female, non-binary, straight, asexual or LGBTQI+ you will be most welcome here. Read more HERE.
"The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking."
Tradition Three
NEED URGENT HELP?
We are just a call away
AA FREE Helpline:
+44 (0) 800 917 7650
Email our support team:
help@aamail.org
Live chat:
Click HERE and click on the red live chat button.
All the above are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If non-urgent:
Come straight to our meetings, doors open 7.15pm for an 8pm start. See above for how to get to us.
Or email us HERE and we'll respond when we can.
If you are worried about a loved one or a friend:
We suggest that you get the support and information you need first - from our friends at Al-Anon. CLICK HERE to be taken to their website.
If you are a professional enquiring on behalf of a client or patient:
Please CLICK HERE to be taken to our dedicated page for information that you may require.
