Comas: unleashing the power within individuals and communities to recover, develop and grow

Comas is a community development agency dedicated to liberating the potential of people who feel on the outside of society to find their best way to experience community and to be resilient. We work to ensure: Vulnerable people have greater self belief and better quality of life; Decision makers change the way they think and commission services with vulnerable people; Service providers change their thinking and practice with vulnerable people.

Why the community needs this charity

Comas works with people who experience 'multiple and complex needs': people with long term and chronic problems of addiction, mental illness, growing up in care without family support or the ability to form supportive relationships. They experience loneliness that is hard to overcome, find full employment difficult, and sustaining a home challenging. Their wellbeing goes through highs and lows, rather than in linear progress, which is why many agencies find their needs hard to resolve.

Results and outcomes

What Comas has achieved so far: We have established one of the first UK recovery cafes, involving people recovering from addiction in creating a community social hub for others recovering from addiction; We have pioneered learning programmes for people recovering from addiction, helping them to rebuild their lives and put something back into their community; We have specialised in developing coaching for people experiencing set backs to become more resilient and cope better.

Latest activities and projects

Serenity Cafe Project

Since 2009 people in recovery have been running monthly Cafe Club nights so that people in recovery can make friends and enjoy a drink and drug free social venue. In 2011 we will be opening a 7-day Serenity Cafe which will be a focal point for people in recovery to find support, get involved in social activities and learning opportunities, and have fun which builds their health and wellbeing. read more

Arts In Recovery

The Arts In Recovery project involves people in rediscovering themselves through arts activities including crafts, drama, writing, choir and music groups. Arts provide an opportunity for self expression which builds self esteem, as well as helping people to reduce stress. Through these groups people find that laughter is the best antidote to the challenges of sustaining life without drink and drugs. read more