FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who are the retreats for?
Our retreats are for anyone who is affected by addiction – whether personally or in a loved one. We define addiction as “loss of control over a behaviour or action to the point of it being harmful to you”. We aim to provide the tools to provide relief from addiction, as well as information about how this process works.
Al-Anon members or family members may find it useful to work the 12 steps of recovery to improve their own emotional well-being, regardless of whether the person with the addiction problem seeks help. Traditionally, our retreat weekends have provided a welcoming space for anyone wanting to work the steps over the weekend.
Do I have to be free from addiction to attend?
Our main priority is the safety of our attendees. Some addictions do not come with a risk of withdrawal, making it much safer to attend even if still unwell. However, the following policy does apply;
- Are you physically or chemically dependent on a substance, such as alcohol, benzos, GHB, or opiates?
- Are you awaiting a detox/an inpatient stay?
- Are you at risk of serious physical withdrawal?
- If you answer yes to all three of these questions, you MUST NOT book or attend the retreat without first consulting with a relevant medical professional. Since our team is not medically qualified for this event, immediate medical support cannot be provided in the case of severe withdrawal.
CTBR UK reserves the right to cancel your ticket if we feel there is a risk to yourself or others based on the above safety policy. This does not exclude you from attending a retreat in the future when safe and possible to do so.
I am an atheist, is this retreat available to me?
Whilst our programme is rooted in Christian principles, we do not hold or require you to hold any specific beliefs or ascribe to a religion or denomination. We are not here to convert you or ask you to attend a church.
Some of the language, when quoting literature, uses Christian terms, but we offer alternative phrasing for you to use for your own Higher Power if you do not already have your own terms.
How could attending a retreat weekend help with my spiritual journey?
By spending time with a community of like-minded people, in a location away from the stresses of general life, it gives a brilliant opportunity to unwind, focus on yourself, and enjoy discussions, group activities and the peace to explore your connection to your Higher Power.
Can I get a sponsor from the retreat?
We offer temporary support over the weekend from our trained and vetted volunteers who are willing. Some may choose to maintain friendship and communication after the retreat, which becomes a Sponsor/Sponsee relationship; however, this is not provided or overseen by CTBR UK in any way, so we are not liable for any communications made. It is up to the individuals to decide what they do going forward.
All official CTBR UK communications by staff or volunteers follow our policies on acceptable conduct and communication, and complaints can be raised if needed and will be addressed seriously.
What does my money go towards?
Our prices cover your stay at our venue, with 6 meals, your Legacy Guide (our main teaching material), some stationery, and the printing for our additional supporting packs and teaching supplies. Any additional donation you choose to make goes towards our admin staff’s time, printing and further materials for the retreat.
How can I access financial support if I need it?
To find out more about options for financial support, reach out to our email. If possible, we try to arrange a payment plan first, but where possible, we can provide financial support to cover any shortfall.
If you get financial support for a retreat, please read our booking terms and conditions closely, as you may be liable for a further cost if you cancel at short notice.
Where does financial support come from?
At present, financial support is raised through online donations and from our retreats. We are currently pursuing larger funding options and hope to have some successes, which would allow us to offer great amounts of financial support for those in need.
Why is my deposit non-refundable?
Our venues require upfront payment for the spaces we have contracted, and each booking takes up admin time for us and for the venue. We also use a deposit to encourage people to commit to securing a place, as previously we have seen many cases of non-payment/no-shows that can lead to spaces that could have been filled.
Can I receive a refund if I need to cancel my place?
Your space can be cancelled up to 4 weeks before the start of the retreat to receive a refund minus your non-refundable deposit. The exact date can be checked on the booking page or your confirmation email.
Per our booking terms and conditions, we cannot refund you for a cancellation of your space within 4 weeks of the retreat date, as we have to pay the venue in advance.
What does a weekend look like?
Retreat start times vary by venue, so check the booking page for further information, and all end after lunchtime on Sunday at around 2 pm.
The weekend is built around group workshops, with personal downtimes in between, group mealtimes and evening activities including music and meditation sessions.
What if I’m nervous?
Almost everyone tells us they felt nervous before attending their first retreat. Many worried they would be judged, wouldn’t know anyone, or wouldn’t be “good enough” for recovery. By the end of the weekend, most say those fears disappeared due to the volunteers and the warm, welcoming environment. Every volunteer was once a newcomer, so they understand how it feels!
What about my dietary or medical needs?
Let us know any dietary requirements at the time of booking, and the venues will be happy to accommodate them.
For safety, we ask you to share an emergency contact number and any medical issues we may need to be aware of in case of an accident. We cannot accept anyone on site without an emergency contact number in our system.
If you have any other accessibility needs, please let us know at the time of booking, and we will make all reasonable adjustments possible in conjunction with the venue.
Can I share a room with my friend or spouse?
If you’d like to share a room with someone, let us know in your booking notes or pop us an email, and clarify if you’d like twin/double beds. Sharing a room does not change the pricing; however, as tickets/venue charges are per head, not per room.
Can I smoke/vape on site?
No smoking or vaping is permitted indoors. Each venue has designated outdoor spots for smoking or vaping.
Please ensure all cigarette ends are properly disposed of.
If a fire alarm is set off for smoking/vaping in a room, the venue will charge us for the call-out from the fire brigade, and this part of the fee may be passed on to you.
Where can I find out more information about the venue and parking, etc?
Further information about the venue will be sent out via email in the last 2 weeks before the retreat. If you would like to know more, you can reach out to us via email or contact the venue directly with your queries. Please be aware that if you email us, there may be a delay in our reply if we need to check with the venue!
I attended another CTBR UK retreat and would like to return. Can I help as an informal volunteer?
We warmly welcome returning attendees who wish to give back. We send out requests for “service” (volunteer tasks) closer to the time, and all returning attendees are invited to train to listen to the Step 5s of the newcomers.
There is no funding available for volunteers, so you do still need to purchase a ticket for your space.
All volunteers must stay on-site for the whole weekend, even if you live locally.
Is there training available for volunteers?
All returning attendees are required to attend the online Step 5 Listening workshop before doing any Step 5 workshops.
Further training on Presentation Skills and Leadership is available by invitation from a Trustee or Leader for our established and experienced volunteers ready to step up into a position of higher responsibility.
To ensure the safety of both volunteers and newcomers, all volunteers are vetted prior to training, allowing us to be sure that we are not asking too much of someone or putting pressure on them that could affect their wellbeing and thus their ability to fulfil their volunteer role safely.
Why do CTBR UK fundraise?
As a charity, our work is aimed at public benefit – allowing people relief from addiction. Due to the nature of the retreats, we have to charge a fee to attend, and we appreciate that this is often more than people can afford, especially those who are unwell due to their addiction. By fundraising both through funding applications and public donations, we can support more people in need to attend.
In the future, we would also like to be able to support travel costs, as we recognise this can also be an inhibiting factor in people’s ability to afford a retreat.
Why do I receive emails about fundraising activities?
As part of our approach to support more people in need, we have chosen to reach out to our wider community for fundraising. All participation is voluntary, and we are always grateful to those who choose to donate, no matter the size of the donation.
When we apply to organisations for funding, one of the questions often asked is “What else do we do to secure funding?”. An organisation that is pursuing a range of fundraising approaches is often seen as more secure, able to achieve more charitable aims, benefit more people, and increase our chances of securing larger funding amounts.
How can I fundraise or provide support?
You can make donations online through our website, donate directly into our bank account if you have the details, or bring cash to any retreats you are attending.
There are lots of ways to raise money, from sponsored walks and running events to bake sales, coffee mornings, quiz nights or asking for donations instead of birthday gifts. Choose something you enjoy and that feels achievable.
When fundraising, please:
- Be clear that you are fundraising in support of Came to Believe Recovery UK and not on behalf of the charity unless we have agreed this with you.
- Collect and handle donations honestly, keeping clear records where appropriate.
- Follow any guidance provided by your venue or local authority if your event requires permission.
- Keep yourself and others safe by carrying out sensible risk assessments for your activity.
- Respect people’s privacy and never pressure anyone into donating.
- Contact us before using our logo or branding for printed materials or online promotions.
If you have an idea for a fundraiser, we’d be delighted to support you. Please get in touch before you begin so we can help make your event a success.
Are CTBR on social media?
Yes! We are on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. You can follow us to find out more about the work we do, upcoming events, and our impact.
- LinkedIn – Came To Believe Recovery UK
- FB – Came To Believe Recovery UK
- IG – ctbr.uk