Just 44 miles from central London, there is a private island retreat. 400 acres of idyllic surroundings, lush green fields and beautiful wild beaches. A registered bird sanctuary, it is the only place in the UK that has 5 different species of owl living together. A designated place of natural beauty, a recognised place of scientific interest…..
Welcome to The Causeway Retreat on Osea Island.
A private mental health and addiction rehabilitation facility. And this is just building on the legacy of Osea Island. It has a history of helping people, it was also the site of the world’s first treatment centre from 1903 – 1917 when it was owned by Frederick Charrington of the Brewery family.
Comprising of 22 properties, accommodation is provided in the Manor House, in Cottages or at the Village.
The luxurious New England style Manor House and Manor Beach Houses provide clients with a private and tranquil haven complimented by a style and ambience often aspired to but rarely found. Our bespoke programs are geared toward individuals whose professional and working needs are a priority.
The Cottages are an extension of the bespoke services offered at the Manor House and provide complete privacy for individuals or couples who require discreet accommodation. It is in one of these that people will stay if they want to bring their pets with them. At The Causeway Retreat we are happy to accept pets, they are often an integral part of someone’s recovery.
The Village accommodation is a combination of individual bedrooms or apartments in a picturesque setting some of which date back to the 16th century. Every client has his own bedroom – no sharing as with other treatment facilities – and all beds are big and comfortable, king or double.
The Causeway Retreat prides itself on its pioneering approach. We offer programs for those who need help managing lifestyle issues whether through stress, depression, substance abuse or burn out. We offer a peaceful and supportive environment and take away the stigma and institutionalised approach to rehabilitation. The programs combine both modern interpretations of 12 step treatment and a range of innovative psychological and physical therapies, including cognitive behavoural therapy, 1-1 talking and group therapy. An integral part of treatment is personal training and complimentary beauty therapies. Part of our philosophy at The Causeway Retreat is to deinstitutionalise and destigmatise the experience of the individual going into treatment for mental health illness by promoting wellness. We want the client to raise his/her self esteem and complementary therapy helps this.
Clients stay anything from two weeks up to two years. The Causeway Retreat also offers free Aftercare for 12 months to help clients maintain their new lifestyle.
The Causeway has a sponsorship program which is completely funded by the business: Changing a Life
In 1903 Mr Frederick Charrington who was then the Chairman of a brewery business in London’s East End purchased an island off the coast of Maldon in Essex called Osea Island.
He purchased the island with a vision of temperance, to create a place where alcoholics and people with other addiction problems could retreat and seek help.
During Mr Charrington’s time the Island provided free treatment to those individuals suffering from the ill effects of alcohol and opiate addiction. In return for treatment clients would remain on the island and work the land. This was a way of giving something back to the establishment.
This continued until late 20th century. when unfortunately the island was requisitioned by the Admiralty and subsequently turned into a top secret torpedo manufacturing base for both World Wars.
In 2003 Nigel Frieda, a music producer, and Brendan Quinn, a clinical nurse specialist with a degree in addiction treatment co-founded The Causeway Retreat and re-opened the Island once again as a place for people to retreat from the ill effects of addiction and mental illness.
As soon as the first clients arrived on the island the treating team were amazed at the remarkable changes that clients would go through in a short space of time. Each client described the isolation of an island gave them a great inner peace and that they felt protected. The low stimulus environment again only complimented the work that was being doing.
The Causeway Retreat has realised for some time that may people struggle to find help on the NHS for conditions such as alcohol addiction, heroin addiction, depression etc. In 2009 ‘Changing A Life’ was established as a “not for profit” initiative and to resurrect Frederick Charrington’s vision for the Island. Changing a life allows for one person each month to receive 28 days free treatment. The cost of this is borne by The Causeway Retreat business and its charitable trust.
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