Learn about who we are and how we strive to be as a community. Theses agreements outline what we are consenting with one another when we attend calls.
This is women's, female-identifying and non-binary recovery community space grounded in compassionate and w/holistic care that focuses on female-centred recovery experiences. We offer peer support with the guidance of experienced group facilitators. This is NOT a group therapy space.
There are no experts here. Each person gets to discover and define their own path for recovery–this includes practices of sober curiosity, harm-reduction, moderation and complete abstinence. We are supportive of many pathways to changing your relationship to alcohol.
Though we celebrate all paths for recovery, we are clear about the fact that alcohol is a harmful substance. It is a class one carcinogen alongside substances such as tobacco and asbestos. Research has shown that no amount of alcohol is safe to consume. Sobriety is centred to counter alcohol-centric societal conditioning and norms.
Confidentiality is respected. Whatever is said on calls, stays on calls. Take the wisdom you learn from others, but leave any personal or identifying details behind. Please attend groups from a private space — no one else should be able to listen or view the call.
While you are welcome at any stage of your journey toward sobriety to moderation, we ask that you are not under the influence while participating in a group. If you are under the influence, you may listen with your camera off and microphone muted.
Be kind and respectful. We’re here to lift each other up! There’s no room for discriminatory, judgmental, insulting, or exclusionary language. Adult language can be expected from time to time.
Out of respect for the group, we ask that you always use the "raise your hand" function and keep your share between 3-5 minutes in length. This allows the maximum number of voices to be heard on a each call. Please only speak from your own experience. Note: We leave room for silence for those who need time to work up the courage to share. If you have additional thoughts you can share them in the chat.
Remember in this space there is no fixing because we are not broken. This means we do not give advice unless someone has explicitly asked for it. Most often members come to the calls for support, not solutions.
Please refrain from sharing details of violence or trauma (this is not a therapy space). Please do not seek or share medical advice. Be mindful of when sharing anything to do with weight loss, diet culture or body image as members of our community have disclosed struggles with disordered eating. We strive to be a safe and body neutral space for everyone.
Take care of yourself. If feeling triggered or overwhelmed, please do what you need to take care of yourself. You can turn off your camera, mute the call, walk away, or leave the call (with the option to rejoin if you choose).
What happens if someone is not honouring our community guidelines and call agreements:
On calls moderators reserve the right to mute members, turn off cameras or remove members all together if they are being distracting, disruptive or disrespectful.
Following the call, our moderator will reach out by email to kindly notify the member of the agreement(s) not being honoured and will offer reminders and guidance for future call engagement. A link to the call agreements will be provided. Mistakes happen and grace is needed from time to time. We will offer opportunities for gentle and compassionate correction three times.
If the call agreements are perpetually disregarded or a misalignment of values and expectations is identified, then a moderator will reach out to the member to explore alternative communities and support options that might better align with what they want and need from a recovery community space.
Participating in Recovery Garden Collective is privilege not a right. Our moderator reserves the right to protect the integrity of the call space and community according to their professional ethics and discretion. This may result in the cancellation and refund of your membership.