Creative Start CIC

23/08/2026

Recovery Meetings. A Starting Point.

Our recovery meetings held at The-Comeback and The Great Escape are open to everyone affected by addiction, whatever that looks like for you.

We have built Creative Start around these meetings. They are now the first way to get involved with what we do.

Our meetings are confidential, discussion based and peer led, creating a safe, open and supportive space where people can talk, listen and share their experiences. What is shared within the group stays within the group. They are facilitated by highly experienced people, with our two facilitators bringing a combined 50 years of experience supporting recovery in group settings.

But the meetings are just the beginning.

From there, people can get involved in the wider organisation in whatever way feels right for them. That might mean exploring creativity, getting involved in art projects, developing and running your own projects, volunteering or, where opportunities arise, moving towards employment
We believe recovery is about much more than simply stopping using. It is about connection, purpose, creativity, confidence and finding your place again.

Everyone is welcome. Come to a meeting, get involved and see where it takes you.

Our current recovery meetings are listed below.

22/08/2026

Art of Recovery

We’ve been delivering Art of Recovery across North East Lincolnshire since 2012.

We’re keeping things simple. An open art group for anyone affected by addictive behaviour. No matter your background or experience, everyone is welcome.

You don’t need to be an artist. There’s no pressure to produce anything perfect. The groups are about having a go, learning new skills, being creative and spending time with other people.

Art is the focus, but the conversations, connections and sense of community are just as important.

Art of Recovery takes place every Tuesday, 10.30am to 3pm.

The Comeback is also open as a drop in, with support available from our lived experience recovery team.

The photos include some of the Pop Art paintings, mosaics and a mural that the team have been working on in the courtyard recently.

22/08/2026

21/08/2026

Always great seeing Ian.

Ian spent a few days with us this week while on holiday from work, and as always, he had an impact.

Ian is a natural talker and as honest as they come. He talks without fear, and there’s something really powerful about the way he shares his story. He never forgets where he has been, what has helped him, or why he chooses sobriety.

Every time we see Ian, he seems to get more well. His sobriety is strong, but more importantly, he understands why he does it. He knows what recovery means to him and what he needs to keep moving forward.

So we wanted to share Ian’s story again, raw, honest and completely in his own words.

Have a listen to his story. You’ll hear exactly why Ian has such an impact on the people around him.

The full, unfiltered, raw as it gets interview with Ian Gower a mem...

21/08/2026

Have you noticed the artwork appearing on buildings across the area?

The pieces were created as part of the "Paint the Town Proud" initiative.

If you're wondering where they can all be found, we have a map showing the locations, along with information about each piece of artwork on the reverse side.

If you'd like a copy, please collect one from The Pavilion.

20/08/2026

A Day of Inspiration: Creative Start Arts in Health visits CW+ at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

Today, our Community Arts Manager, artist and former nurse Kathleen Smith, visited CW+, the official charity for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

We were joined by other local organisations, including Our Big Picture and The Health Tree Foundation, for a really inspiring look at how art and creativity are being used within the hospital to support patients, staff and visitors.

We saw the incredible rooftop healing garden, dedicated art and wellbeing spaces, artwork created with children on the wards, a hospital cinema designed for patients and an impressive art collection featuring artists including Andy Council and Damien Hirst.

It was also a great opportunity to share some of the work we are doing through Creative Start Arts in Health CIC and have some really positive conversations about the future of arts in health and recovery in North East Lincolnshire.

A big thank you to CW+ for welcoming us and taking the time to show us around. We came away inspired and with plenty to think about as we continue developing our own work in arts, health and recovery.

18/08/2026