Please Vote for My Sober Soul-friends project if you live in the Southend West Central area

I am excited to announce that to secure funding, my Sober Soul-friends project has been shortlisted for the Big Vote.

Sober Soul-friends is a community project designed to bring connection, support, and companionship to anyone living a sober lifestyle in the Southend West Central area. Sobriety doesn’t need to be lonely and this initiative is all about proving exactly that.

At the heart of the project is a simple but powerful idea that nobody should have to navigate sobriety alone. Through a dedicated peer-matching system, individuals are paired with a fellow sober buddy who understands their journey. These pairings offer encouragement, accountability, and genuine human connection, whether someone is newly sober, long-term sober, or simply choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle for their wellbeing.

Alongside one-to-one buddy support, the project hosts monthly sober meet-ups, including coffee gatherings, walks, and relaxed social events where people can chat, share experiences, and build friendships in a warm, welcoming environment. These meet-ups give people something positive to look forward to and offer a space where sobriety feels celebrated rather than isolating.

To keep the support flowing between meet-ups, the project also provides an online community platform, giving members a safe place to talk, ask questions, share challenges, and stay connected at any time. This digital space ensures help and companionship are always just a message away.

By combining personal connection, regular social events, and an active online community, the project creates a supportive network that helps people thrive in sobriety—not just maintain it. It reduces loneliness, encourages healthy routines, and builds a sense of belonging right in the heart of Chalkwell.

If you’re looking for friendship, motivation, or simply a space where sobriety feels understood and supported, this project is here to help you connect. Sobriety doesn’t have to be lonely - you just need the right people around you.

If you live in the Southend West Central area and think this project would be useful, please vote.

Here is is the link Big Sparks | Your say Southend

Voting closes on 28th January 2026.

Votes can only be accepted from people living in the local Southend West Central area. However, if I can secure funding and my project is successful, I will look to extend this to further areas.

I am passionate about supporting people in their sobriety, so they do not feel alone and know they can still make connections and have fun.

Comment if you think this type of project sounds useful and/or what other community support would benefit you on your sober journey.