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Shaped by Lived-Experience: Our new Change Pathway

February 3, 2026 by

We have recently updated our Theory of Change, a simple way of illustrating the journey our clients take through treatment at The Living Room.

It also has a new name: Change Pathway.

Last year, counsellors at each of our hubs asked clients in group sessions what recovery looks like to them and what it truly means in their lives. Their reflections were carefully recorded, and from these insights a first draft illustration was created.

Our CEO, Adrienne, then held workshops in each therapy room to explore this initial version with client groups. Together, they discussed what felt right, what didn’t, and how it could be improved to better reflect real experiences of recovery.

Armed with pages of thoughts, opinions, and inspiration from these sessions, we returned to the drawing board. Using the voices of the people we support, we developed a new draft that more accurately captures how treatment works and how change really happens at The Living Room.

Adrienne said:
“This was a brilliant process. There is no one better placed to help us shape our charity’s Theory of Change than the people on their own recovery journey. We received fantastic feedback — positive, negative, and indifferent — and all of it was taken on board to ensure our Theory of Change is a true reflection of how treatment works and how The Living Room genuinely changes lives.”

This updated Theory of Change, now called ‘Change Pathway’ (thanks to the feedback) stands as a shared creation, all shaped by lived experience, honest feedback, and the collective voice of the people who use our service.

Breathe in calm, breathe out stress…

The Box Breathing Tool, created by Watford counsellor Yousef Kira Durrani, is a simple yet highly effective technique designed to help regulate the nervous system during times of anxiety, stress, overwhelm, or emotional discomfort.

By following a structured pattern of breathing in, holding, breathing out, and holding again for equal counts, we can slow our heart rate, calm racing thoughts, and bring our attention back to the present moment.

Box Breathing Tool

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