Welcome to Blossom Rebels

I'm the founder of Blossom Rebels. I wanted to say a few words about why I set Blossom Rebels up and what we hope to achieve.

Blossom Rebels was born out of frustration. As a sober rebel myself I found the support available for people wanting to live an alcohol-free life to be woeful. In recent years several exciting online communities have emerged. Communities like Club Soda and Soberistas. I myself am a member of Club Soda and have found the support and encouragement there very helpful. I felt like I needed offline support too though but could not find a face-to-face group that came close to what I was looking for.

My requirements weren't exotic. I was looking to meet with others on a similar adventure. I wanted space to share experiences and draw inspiration. I wanted a group free from religion, dogma and slogans. A group where every member at each meeting got treated equally. And a group with a modern perspective on post-alcohol living.

So Blossom Rebels was set up to fill the void. Our programme of face-to-face support groups, talks, workshops and social events will begin in the new year. Our inaugural meeting is scheduled for January 20th. We embrace post-alcohol living and see our transition as a positive lifestyle choice full of possibilities.

But we're more than just a support group. We are part of a wider movement working together to change perceptions around what it means to be alcohol-free in an alcohol-centric society. The lexicon of addiction is steeped in prejudice. Demeaning labels like alcoholic, misleading and inappropriate terms such as recovery and popular narratives conceptualising former drinkers as disease ravaged sinners or as somehow less than whole, do not belong in the 21st century. We will work on behalf of our members so their lifestyle choices don't leave them feeling isolated, stigmatised and powerless. Together with organisations like Club Soda and pioneers like Annie Grace we will challenge mainstream narratives around addiction and put forward a modern vision for post-alcohol living.

I'll be at the Club Soda Mindful Drinking Festival on Saturday January 18th and Sunday January 19th in London to answer any questions. Please don't be shy.