A new group set up for those who have gone alcohol-free has been launched in Stoke-on-Trent. 

Mum of two, Laura Mitchell went alcohol free in May 2024 and has now set up a support and community group to help other 'sober Stokies' make new connections through walks, days out, coffee mornings and evening social events. Sober Stokies also has a curry night arranged for July.

It's hoped the group will help those who have gone alcohol-free find new activities to enjoy without the need for booze through activities and meetings hosted by the Sober Stokies group.

Laura says the group is not a recovery programme and the activities and social meetings should be an addition to any professional recovery support people are accessing and using to help them in their sobriety.

Laura told Stoke Nub News: "I feel that I'm strongest physically, emotionally and mentally, that I've ever been, and that only comes down to removing alcohol from my life, as well as doing a lot of soul-searching and self-development. 

"The pandemic was an escalation for me and my alcohol consumption. I struggled with the restraints on life, the changes, the fear, and It had a huge impact on my mental health and has taken me a long time to recover.

"When you decide to make the lifestyle change, and live an alcohol free life.

"You do find that your friendship circles and networks change. You don't get invited to events and places like you used to do because people have the incorrect assumption that you won't want to go - which is absolutely not the case - life is so much more fun on the sober side of the island.

"I thought rather than sitting and feeling lonely - and if I feel like this, there's a possibility that others do too - so I came up with the idea of creating Sober Stokies.

"My hope is to create a community, where we have fun, we make friendships and there's a sense of support and belonging."

Nationally, sobriety is on the rise with the proportion of non-drinkers increasing from 17% to 19% between 2011 and 2022, as well many are cutting their alcohol intake. Therefore, demand is growing significantly for sober communities.

 Laura enjoys walking, cold water swimming & mindfulness, which have been hugely beneficial for her mental health and hopes the group's meets will be the same for others too.

She added: "We have so many beautiful spaces in the area - our aim is to explore them all.

"The group is a social thing for people to get involved with, to make connections with like-minded people, and to hopefully, make friends.

"We are planning meet-ups for the diary. In July we are holding a coffee morning, a curry night plus 'talking and walking' meetings. August's plans are in the making already.

"We're not talking about climbing mountains, just yet, but we can go for coffee, a meal & mocktails - there's so many wonderful & quirky venues across the city.

"I'm happy for the group to go in whatever direction people need it to - it's the people's group, I'm just the organiser"

The next Sober Stokies event will be at Westport Lake on 6 July.

Find out more here.