27 Jan 2026
On Saturday 24 January 2026, The Forward Trust National Reunion brought together our incredible recovery community for a day of shared stories, uplifting performances, and meaningful connection at St John’s Church in Hackney.
This annual gathering is a joyful highlight in the Forward calendar, and this year’s event lived up to every expectation -from heartfelt lived-experience shares to busy creative stalls and inspiring music.
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming from the moment the doors opened. Clients, graduates, alumni, staff, volunteers, peer mentors, family members and friends came together from across England and Wales to reconnect, celebrate progress and build new friendships in a space that truly reflected the heart and soul of the Forward community.
A standout feature of the day was the inspiring shares from members of our community. Trustee Ivor, Clouds House Alumni Jade and Service User Jamie each took to the stage with powerful accounts of their journeys. Their stories highlighted not only individual strength but the collective spirit that defines recovery. These lived-experience shares are at the core of the Reunion, offering hope, encouragement and a reminder that progress is possible, one step at a time.
This year’s Reunion was filled with fantastic musical performances that brought joy and energy to the room. Attendees were treated to a range of performances that lifted spirits and helped create a truly celebratory mood throughout the afternoon, from acts who also performed at our Recovery’s Got Talent event back in November.
These included a gorgeous duet on guitar from Jamie and Lee, an original song from Chrissy, who recently celebrated 1 year of sobriety, and Mo, one of our lived experience ambassadors, who treated us to a fantastic rendition of Destiny’s Child ‘Survivor’, which he said reflected his experience with addiction perfectly.
Not far from the stage, the Forward Connect stall was a hive of activity all afternoon. People of all ages stopped by to take part in crafts, connect with others and learn more about the peer-led Forward Connect community. The creative activities sparked laughter, conversation and new connections; a perfect reflection of the supportive, inclusive culture at the heart of Forward.
Across the venue, other stalls from a wide range of Forward services and partner organisations created a vibrant marketplace of information and support.
Essex Recovery Foundation, The Nehemiah Project and Narcotics Anonymous joined us to provide attendees with information about their support, whilst our fundraising, community rehabilitation, and naloxone services were all represented by staff members and some fantastic volunteers. These stalls provided attendees with the chance to learn, ask questions and explore opportunities to stay engaged beyond the Reunion.
At its heart, the National Reunion is about celebration and community, honouring personal achievements, reconnecting with familiar faces and welcoming new ones into the Forward family. This year’s event was a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from shared experience and the support that emerges when people gather with openness, courage and creativity.
We’re already excited for what’s ahead in 2027, but for now, a huge thank you to everyone who made this Reunion unforgettable. Together we continue to build connection, celebrate progress and move forward with hope.
