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Local Update, 25 December 2023
Barnet Voice for Mental Health
020 3475 1314
[email protected]
Welcome to our weekly newsletter about mental health services and support available in Barnet and beyond. Also bringing you updates on Inclusion Barnet mental health news. Produced by Ed Peston, Communications Assistant.
Season's greetings to all our readers.
Please note there will be no newsletter next week. The next issue will be on Monday 8 January.
Inclusion Barnet news and events
Inclusion Barnet festive opening hours 2023/2024
Over the festive period we at Inclusion Barnet are taking a short break. The office will be completely closed from Saturday 23rd December until Tuesday 2nd January. During this time we’ll be unable to respond to your queries, but if you’re in need of urgent support, please have a look at the following resources by clicking the link below.
Events and news from the web
Music to remember (weekly virtual recital from Music Heals Minds), Tuesday 26 December, 7.00 - 8.00pm
These weekly virtual recitals with Nandani “Nani” Sinha and guests stimulate remembrance and gently invite reflection through familiar and bellowed songs.
Things to do in London between Christmas and New Year (from Londonist)
Looking for things to do once Christmas Day is out of the way? Wondering what's open between then and New Year? Just want to get out of the house and away from the Monopoly/cheese board?
Harmony for the holidays: a virtual mental wellness gathering (from Small, Powerful Groups by WEvolution), Thursday 28 December, 3.00 - 4.00pm
A warm and welcoming virtual meet-up as we come together to support each other's mental well-being during this special time of the year
Book Harmony for the holidays: a virtual mental wellness gathering
101 free things to do in London (from visitlondon.com)
Explore London without breaking the bank. From top free attractions to cost-free concerts, London has plenty of things to do for free.
Online event: morning meditation (from Inner Space Edinburgh), weekly on Wednesdays at 8.00am
Want to start your day with a calm clear mind? Join this online meditation session to restore your positivity, energy and wellbeing from wherever you are.
Podcasts
Podcast: Why we should all be taking cold showers (from the BBC)
Cold water swimming has been rising in popularity with claims that it can transform your body and mind. So scientists have been investigating the physiology of cold water immersion and it appears it may have a surprising array of benefits. It’s an exciting field of research with potential to offer new treatments for a variety of conditions – from high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, to depression and chronic inflammation.
Podcast: The Take: Is loneliness the next global health threat? (from Al Jazeera)
More people globally say they’re struggling to find deep connections. It’s creating a health and social crisis.
Listen to Podcast: The Take: Is loneliness the next global health threat?
Articles
6 helpful tips for anyone who’s feeling super lonely right now (from self.com)
Simply acknowledging that you’re having a hard time is a great place to start.
Read 6 helpful tips for anyone who’s feeling super lonely right now
How to cope if your anxiety is making menopause feel so much worse (from self.com)
There are lots of ways to feel better during this big life change.
Read How to cope if your anxiety is making menopause feel so much worse
Nurturing your mental health this festive season (from Mancunion)
When the Christmas period can be a difficult time for many, this article discusses the ways in which you can look after our mental health throughout the holidays
Why Christmas carols are good for your health (from breakingnews.ie)
Carols can really give you that magical festive feeling, but did you know they’re also good for your health – even if you’re not joining in the singing?
Regular Events on the Web
Poetry therapy (From Nation's Finest), Monday 25 December, 9.30 - 10.30pm
Join this class and de-stress with poetry! You will learn the structure of micro poems such as American Sentence, Haiku, and Sijo. Examples included for each form. Second half of class will be used for writing, sharing your work is optional.
Mindly weekly - practical tips on mental wellbeing & general anxiety (From Step8up Mindly), Tuesday 26 December, 12.30 - 1.00pm
Join this session each week to know how easy it is to manage day to day mental wellbeing, especially general anxiety, using methods which are practical and easy.
Book Mindly weekly - practical tips on mental wellbeing & general anxiety
Online wellbeing workshops from Mid West Aries
Offering a range of free courses online via Zoom. Anyone over the age of 18 with an interest in mental health and well-being can sign up for the courses.
Online ADHD support group (From Tim Kiver Foundation), Tuesday 9 January, 7.30 - 9.00pm
A safe place for anyone interested in ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in ANY way to share experiences and learn more about:
• What ADHD is
• How ADHD affects peoples every day life
• Ways to manage ADHD symptoms
• How to seek medical help for ADHD
• The Facts and Fiction that surround ADHD
International wellbeing support group (From Rain on Me), Monday 8 January, 5.30pm
A free, international safe space to vent and grow with people who understand and accept you.
Regular Events in Barnet
Mental health drop-in sessions (From Barnet Health Champions)
Taking place from 2.30 - 4.30pm at Chipping Barnet Library on Wednesday 22 November and then fortnightly.
Also at Colindale Library, 2.30 - 4.30pm on Wednesday 29 November and then fortnightly.
A friendly face to listen, support and signpost to local services as well as providing information.
Sanctuary in Barnet (from Mind in Enfield and Barnet)
Sanctuary in Barnet is a short-term crisis intervention and prevention service. They are open every day of the year, 4:30pm-10pm weekdays and 12-6pm weekends. They act as an A&E and Emergency services alternative, providing support to individuals in the Barnet Borough aged 18+.
Community wellbeing support (From Meridian Wellbeing, Mind Enfield and Barnet and Colindale Communities Trust)
Providing mental health and wellbeing support at the heart of the community.
Feeling worried about life or struggling?
Anxious?
Just need someone to talk to confidentially?
The cafe will provide:
Day time and evening access
One to one support from trained mental health wellbeing empowerment workers
Group workshops and training
Emotional health checks and personal action and safety plans
A safe space to be and crisis support out of hours
Help to build your resilience and self-management
Drop into the old library, every Thursday:
12pm - 5pm - emotional health check drop in
3pm - 5pm - crisis and well-being support drop-in
5pm - 8.pm - appointment-based crisis and well-being support
Helpline for immediate emotional support and enquiries 020 8906 7503.
For more information please drop into the Old Library on the Concourse, NW9 5XA or call Colindale Communities Trust (CCT) on 020 8200 3014
Andy's Man Club in Barnet, Every Monday at the Meritage Centre, 7.00 - 9.00pm
Andy's Man Club run talking groups for men who have either been through a storm, are currently going through a storm, have a storm brewing in life or just want to meet a good group of people with the aim of improving one another. No referral, no registration and no charge. Even the brew and biscuits are free!
The Meritage Centre,
Church End,
London
NW4 4JT
Meridian Wellbeing in Barnet
A range of events and activities in Barnet and online including Barnet Wellbeing Hub, Barnet IAPT, Wellbeing Cafe, Wellbeing Workshops, Chinese Wellbeing Services, Supportive Online Communities
More information about Meridian Wellbeing events and activities
Barnet Carers
Barnet Carers provides support and information for unpaid, informal, carers across the London Borough of Barnet. Includes yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
Building Friendship
Building Friendship is a free weekly drop in every Friday for those with mental health difficulties.
Meet at East Barnet Baptist Church hall, EN4 8PS. Come along for a cup of coffee and a friendly chat between 10am and 12noon.
For more information email: [email protected]. Or leave a message with your name and contact number on 020 8449 5320.
Weekly online social group from Mind in Enfield and Barnet, Fridays from 6.00 - 7.00pm
This group takes place by Zoom, and the session is broken up into a few casual activities such as:
Catch up about each other’s week
Play a quiz where everybody provides 3 questions
Share and discuss TV, movies and news that has inspired us this week
If you would like to attend, please email Sam Brown at [email protected]
Mind and Mood Support Group
We celebrated our eighth successful year on 4th January 2023 and have a group of regular attendees (usually around 6, but this may vary). The first half of the meeting our Guest Speaker speaks (on the day we have one) for approx. 20 mins, following this members are free to ask questions. Then half-way through, about 6.45 we have a comfort break with tea, coffee and biscuits. The second half, we all share our experiences of where we are since the last meeting.
The group is facilitated by Sandra Turner and Peter Sartori, both with considerable experience of the mental health system.
Since the Pandemic. Our group has gone through necessary changes. One week our group meets via Zoom from 6-7.15pm. Alternate wks. we meet, in person at 55 Christchurch Avenue 6-7.30pm. No-one is allowed to join our meetings without prior arrangement.
If there is anything else you wish to know, please do not hesitate to contact:
Peter Sartori e: mailto:[email protected] m: 07947 713306 Sandra Turner e: [email protected]
If you wish to subscribe to our monthly “Creativity & Wellbeing Newsletter” please email Sandra with “Subscribe to Newsletter” in the subject of your email.
About Inclusion Barnet
We are a Peer-Led Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation (DDPO).
Nearly all of our directors and staff have lived experience of disability, including mental health issues and/or long-term health conditions.
We believe that learning to use our lived experience for social change is a skill. We have become experts in harnessing the lived experience of our staff, members, volunteers and the people who use our services to design and deliver higher quality, more person-centred services.
Other services run by Inclusion Barnet that you might be interested in are:
Benefits Advice Service (supporting disabled people in Barnet to access the benefits they are entitled to).
Touchpoint (supports people experiencing any form of disability in Barnet to access the services and resources they need).
Healthwatch Barnet (an independent, statutory organisation dedicated to improving health and social care services in Barnet).
For more information about the wider range of other work we do please visit our website www.inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Useful links for mental health and wellbeing
Click on the title to go to the individual websites.
LOCAL
- Mind in Barnet - counselling
- Mind in Barnet Sanctuary - find calm, make space, move forward
- Barnet Wellbeing Service
- BEH-MHT* crisis helpline 0800 151 0023 24/7, 365 days a year.
(*BEH-MHT = Barnet, Enfield Haringay - Mental Health Trust)
LONDON & NATIONAL
- The Help Hub - free online emotional support sessions
- Good Thinking - free online Mental Wellbeing for London
- Kooth - free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
- Qwell - free online safe and confidential space to share & support
Shout - free, 24/7 text messaging support - text SHOUT to 85258 - Samaritans - free phone & email support in a crisis
- Useful links from Sussex University - lots of useful links to MH resources
Independent Living Centre, c/o Barnet & Southgate College,
7 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 4BR
Inclusion Barnet is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Registered Charity Number: 1158632
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