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Barnet Voice for Mental Health logo featuring navy text and a yellow megaphone
 
 
 

Local Update, 28 April 2025

 

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.

 
 

Events and news from the web

 
Photo of a group of people walking in nature smiling and laughing

Move for your mental health - the benefits of activity (webinar from Mid West Aries), Wednesday 30 April, 2.00 - 3.00pm

This webinar will explore simple ways to stay active, lift your mood, and reduce stress.

Book Move for your mental health - the benefits of activity

 
A promotional graphic for free tea and coffee mornings for ages 55+.  Available are free hot drinks and biscuits in a warm, friendly library space where you can meet other local people.  They take place at South Friern Library on Wednesdays, 11.00am to 1.00pm and New Barnet Library, Fridays 11.00am - 1.00pm.
 
A promotional poster for 'Supporting student mental health: leveraging digital tools for wellbeing" with the Mental Health Innovations, shout 85258 and The Mix logos

Supporting student mental health: Leveraging digital tools for wellbeing (webinar from Mental Health Innovations), Wednesday 30 April, 1.00 - 2.00pm

As students face increasing academic and personal pressures, maintaining mental wellbeing has never been more critical. In this free webinar, they'll explore the key challenges students face, trends seen in Mental Health Innovations digital services and hear from Dr Dominique Thompson, an award-winning GP, young people's mental health expert, TEDx speaker, author and educator with over two decades of NHS clinical experience.

Book Supporting student mental health: Leveraging digital tools for wellbeing

 
A younger person is sitting at a desk with their head and their hands looking distressed, and there is an adult standing above them putting their hand on their shoulder in a sympathetic way.

Navigating work-life balance (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Thursday 1 May, 4.00 - 5.00pm

Achieving a balance between personal and professional responsibilities helps people to avoid job burnout and promotes employee engagement, retention, and productivity. Explore what work-life balance truly means and the common obstacles that keep us from achieving it. Learn practical strategies to create and maintain balance in your busy life, with actionable tips and inspiration to prioritize what matters most, in this one-hour seminar.

Book Navigating work-life balance

 
An adult and younger person sitting together on a bed with the adult comforting the younger person with a hand on their shoulder.

Substance abuse and the impact on families (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Monday 5 May, 6.00 - 7.00pm

Explore the impact of substance use on family dynamics and the emotional and psychological effects on children. This webinar is designed for caregivers, parents, mental health professionals and educators, and will include tips for effective communication and boundary setting, practical strategies for supporting recovery, and tools for creating a supportive family environment.

Book Substance abuse and the impact on families

 
A colourful promotional poster entitled "Ready, Steady, Grow!" encourages people to join Barnet's free community food growing initiative. The poster features a bright yellow header with a tomato icon labeled "FREE!" and invites participants to grow healthy food with new friends. A map of Barnet is shown in the centre with arrows pointing to four locations where sessions take place: Montrose Playing Fields (NW9), Basing Hill Park (NW11), Church Farm Open Space (EN4), and Freehold Community Centre (N10).  Below the map is a vegetable garden illustration. A section explains that most drop-in sessions are suitable for all ages (with adults only at Freehold), requiring no commitment or prior experience. 
Another section describes an 8-week “How To Be A Community Food Grower” course for adults connected to schools, faith groups, food banks, or community spaces, with no experience necessary. The course is available year round, including evenings and weekends, and offers help matching participants to community spaces if needed.  The poster invites people to sign up by scanning a QR code or visiting yourhealthbarnet.org/food-growing-opportunities, and provides an email contact: food@barnet.gov.uk. The footer emphasises caring for people, places, and the planet, with logos for “Your Health Barnet” and the London Borough of Barnet.
 
An open book leaning on a stack of four other books on a shelf

Beyond the page (online event from Zen Mushin), Tuesday 20 May, 7.00 - 10.00pm

An opportunity to explore the power of writing for self-care and personal growth.

Book Beyond the page

 
Headshot of a person with their hand on their forehead and an expression suggesting exhaustion and pain. To the right of the person is a graphic saying "Brain Health Breakthrough cic"

Monthly ME/CFS peer support group (online support group from Brain Health Breakthrough CIC), Tuesday 13 May, 2.00 - 3.00pm

Peer support sessions for people who have or care for someone who has a diagnosis of ME/CFS.

Book Monthly ME/CFS peer support group

 
Headshot of Regina Beach. smiling, with text "Yoga - seated - gentle - adaptive - staying in the present moment without judgement

Mindfulness and breathwork for people with MS (online event from Regina Beach), Monday - Thursday, 12.30 - 1.00pm

A 30-minute meditation, gentle movement, and breathwork session for people with Multiple Sclerosis and related conditions

Book Mindfulness and breathwork for people with MS

 

Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?

Let us know by emailing the details to [email protected]

 

Podcasts

 
Photo of a section of tree trunk with 'Community Garden" written on it and leaves around it.

Podcast: Northern gardening: gardening for mental health (from North Shore Community Radio)

You often hear gardeners say they love to spend time in their gardens because they find it relaxing or because it makes them happy. What are the mental health benefits of spending time gardening?

Listen to Podcast: Northern gardening: gardening for mental health

 
KUNC logo

Podcast: Cuddle therapy changed her life. Now she’s a professional cuddler – and part of a growing field (from KUNC)

There are many types of mental health therapy you can access these days: talk therapy, art therapy, even music therapy.

Jen Ikuta leads sessions in what's called cuddle therapy. It’s a growing field.

Listen to Podcast: Cuddle therapy changed her life. Now she’s a professional cuddler – and part of a growing field

 

Articles

 
Photo of people in running clothes with two in the foreground embracing each other and smiling, with further runners in the background also smiling.

'Running helped us recover from addiction' (from BBC)

A running club that helps people overcome drug and alcohol addiction is hosting an Easter race to raise money for charity and support its local community.

Read 'Running helped us recover from addiction'

 
Photo of colourful bird with wings outstretched

Birdwatching keeps citizen scientists 'happy and healthy' as they track species (from ABC news)

Birdwatching is soaring in popularity worldwide, with research studies finding the practice can reduce psychological distress and increase mental wellbeing.

Read Birdwatching keeps citizen scientists 'happy and healthy' as they track species

 
Photo of trees in a forest with light streaming through

The forest as physician and therapist (from Psychology Today)

Here's why a walk in the woods might be a good thing to do for mental health.

Read The forest as physician and therapist

 
Photo of a person sitting alone on a sofa looking downhearted

Loneliness: don't ask, don't tell? (From Centre for Mental Health)

Research shows that long-term loneliness leads to a 26% greater odds of early death, along with much higher risk of illness such as heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression and anxiety.

Read Loneliness: don't ask, don't tell?

 

Regular Events on the Web

 

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.

Book Online wellbeing workshops from Mid West Aries

 
close up of computer keyboard with 'support' on one of the keys

International wellbeing support group (From Rain on Me), Monday 5 May, 6.00pm

A free, international safe space to vent and grow with people who understand and accept you.

Book International wellbeing support group

 

Regular Events in Barnet

 

Barnet  Depression Alliance Peer Support Group

A local self-help group for people suffering from depression or depression with anxiety.

Meets twice a month – on a Tuesday evening in North Finchley and on a Monday evening online via Zoom. The group also runs social events throughout the year.

Address: North Finchley

Phone: 0754 118 7907

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.barnetdepressionalliance.org/

For more details of times and venue please telephone or email

 
woman smiling and leaning against sideboard

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+.

More information on Sanctuary in Barnet

 
three men in black #AndysManClub t-shirts

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

Visit the Andy's Man Club Website

 
Meridian Wellbeing logo

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 logo

Barnet Carers

Barnet Carers provides support and information for unpaid, informal, carers across the London Borough of Barnet. Includes yoga, meditation and mindfulness.

Read about and book Barnet Carers events

 
Poster reads Building Friendship Fridays 10am - 12pm If you are experiencing mental health difficulties please join us at Building Friendship on Fridays 10am - 12pm for friendship and refreshments.  East Barnet Baptist Church, Crescent Road, Barnet EN4 8PS email: buildingfriendship@gmail.com tel: 020 8449 5320 please leave a message and someone will call you back

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.

 
Poster reads Do you have a mental health problem> Do you feel isolated or lonely? Come along to Building Friendship. Free. remaining info repeats in main article.
 

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.

Fortnightly meetings will now be held at Friern Barnet Community Library,
Friern Barnet Road, N11 3DS.
Bus routes 221, 382 & 43 stop nearby.

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.

 

 
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About Inclusion Barnet

www.inclusionbarnet.org.uk

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

  • 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
 
 
Inclusion Barnet Logo with slogan 'The power of experience'

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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