When childhood best friends Lisa Elsworth and Alexandria Walker launched Bee Sober in 2018, their vision was clear: to create a supportive space where people could connect, have fun, and support each other on their sobriety journey, without judgment or pressure.
Seven years later, their creation has blossomed into a vibrant nationwide movement, with its heart firmly planted in Rochdale.
Lisa, from Smithy Bridge, reflects on Bee Sober’s evolution with pride. She told Real Rochdale magazine: “It’s all about celebrating what we can do instead of what we can’t.”
Sobriety has been a transformative journey for both Lisa and Alex, she said: “We’ve shared so many of the same experiences, from nights out to the grief of losing loved ones to alcohol.”
Despite their different interests, Lisa is a fan of cold water dips and hiking, while Alex enjoys personal training sessions and brunches, both founders share a common bond of sobriety that transcends their differences.
This open, inclusive ethos lies at the core of Bee Sober’s activities, which focus not just on quitting drinking, but on rediscovering life without it.
Lisa runs monthly sound baths in Littleborough through Reiki Sound Sanctuary and organises local walks around Hollingworth Lake and Watergrove Reservoir.
She recently held a cold dip and sauna event in Hebden Bridge, explaining that such activities “aren’t just fun, they’re about feeling good, supporting each other, and building friendships in the fresh air.”
Bee Sober extends its reach through online Zoom sessions and the Bee Wild retreat weekends.
These weekends, filled with activities like axe throwing, yoga, forest bathing, and even bamboo weaving, offer attendees a chance to reconnect with themselves and others in a non-judgmental, fun environment.
The retreats also include more unconventional activities, such as bug eating, encouraging attendees to step out of their comfort zones and experience life in new, exciting ways.
Lisa is also a passionate advocate for breaking down the stigma surrounding sobriety. She added: “People thought I was pregnant or ill when I stopped drinking, but I’d just had enough of
hangovers, I wanted a better life. That should be celebrated.”
Lisa is unapologetically loud and proud about her sobriety, hoping to inspire others to embrace their own sober journeys.
Looking to the future, both founders envision even more opportunities for the community to come together - and believe that Rochdale is the perfect location for Bee Sober to thrive.
Lisa smiled when adding: “We’ve got lakes, trails, and a community that genuinely cares. This area is made for connection and wellbeing. It’s the ideal home for what we’re building.”
Bee Sober continues to be a beacon of support, friendship, and fun for those embracing a sober lifestyle.
