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

Local Update, 5 May 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

 
Promotional graphic for Workplace Mental Health, a free webinar taking place on 8 May 2025. It will be online on zoom from 10.00am - 12.00pm and it is being delivered by Ajuda Foundation.  There is a graphic of a person slumped on a desk next to a laptop, suggesting burnout.  The webinar is free.

Mental health online: workplace mental health (online event from Ajuda Limited), Thursday 8 May, 10.00am - 12.00pm

Get to know more about implementing cultural changes to improve your workplace mental health.

Book Mental health online: workplace mental health

 
Promotional graphic for the University Mental Health Charter 25/26 which is an initiative by student minds.  There will be an information session on Tuesday 6 May from 2.00 - 3.00pm

25/26 University Mental Health Charter Programme - information session (online event from Student Minds), Tuesday 6 May, 2.00 - 3.00pm

This event is for those interested in learning about or joining the community of universities committed to embedding a whole university approach to mental health and wellbeing.

Book 25/26 University Mental Health Charter Programme - information session

 
A photo of diverse individuals collectively playing musical instruments

Improving mental health and wellbeing with creative arts (online seminar from NIHR ARCs), Wednesday 7 May, 1.00 - 2.00pm

A seminar exploring the healing power of creative arts.

Book Improving mental health and wellbeing with creative arts

 
A collage of black and white photos of people of different ages, suggesting family relations.

Understanding family reactions to mental illness (webinar from Mindpsring Mental Health Alliance), Thursday 8 May, 4.00 - 5.00pm

Explore the caregiving experience, the stages of emotional response, and learn how to respond and cope in this one-hour seminar

Book Understanding family reactions to mental illness

 
A photo of a healthcare worker sitting on a sofa looking fatigued

Understanding compassion fatigue & burnout (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Tuesday 6 May, 6.00 - 7.00pm

Does compassion cause suffering? When does it go too far and how can you protect your own wellbeing? Learn the warning signs, who is at risk, and how to restore your emotional energy.

Book Understanding compassion fatigue & burnout

 
A promotional graphic for Pet loss and mental health, a gentle community workshop from Leto's Light, with the strapline 'A guiding light through pet grief'

Pet loss & mental health – a gentle community workshop (online workshop from Leto's Light), Monday 12 May, 7.00 - 8.00pm

Pet loss is a deeply personal grief—but you don’t have to go through it alone. This online gathering is a mix of reflection, discussion, and shared community support.

Book Pet loss & mental health – a gentle community workshop

 
A promotional graphic for Exploring Self Care, part 1 of the Self Care Series, which is a free online workshop from Mid West Aries.  In the top right hand corner is the Mid West Aries logo. In the bottom right hand corner is the HSE Mental Health Engagement and Recovery logo.  In the background is a photographic silhouette of a person making a heart shape with their hands.

Exploring self-care (workshop from Mid West Aries), Wednesday 7 May, 10.00am - 12.00pm

A workshop exploring the importance of daily self care to build resilience and improve mental health.

Book Exploring self-care

 
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.
 
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

 

Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?

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

 

Podcasts

 
Times Higher Education logo

Campus podcast: How to look after yourself in higher education (from Times Higher Education)

At a time when higher education feels under attack in many countries, in more ways than one, it is important for those working in the sector to find coping strategies that work for them and build collective support.

Listen to Campus podcast: How to look after yourself in higher education

 
Promotional graphic for Things you can't live without podcast from Rio Tinto, with images of a bicycle, water bottle and smartphone.

Podcast: Ruby Wax on laptop addiction, mindfulness and community (from Things you can't live without)

Ruby Wax explains the positive and negative effects on her mental health of being addicted to her laptop.

Listen to Podcast: Ruby Wax on laptop addiction, mindfulness and community

 

Articles

 
A person smiling at a mirror reflection of their face

How to build positive techniques that’ll actually improve your mental health (from MSN)

Mental health isn’t something you sort out once and then forget about like a flatpack bookshelf you hope never collapses. It’s an ongoing, often messy process—one that requires attention, intention, and a bit of creativity.

Read How to build positive techniques that’ll actually improve your mental health

 
Nature logo

Kindness as a public health action (from Nature)

The universal practice of kindness is a potentially effective grassroots public health promotion action that could propagate from the individual to the collective.

Read Kindness as a public health action

 
A photo from above of 2 people lying down on a mat in opposite directions with their heads side by side.  They are smiling and have their eyes closed, suggesting intimacy.

How to be a better friend, according to therapists (from Very Well Mind)

Being a good friend doesn’t always come naturally, especially in a world that keeps us busy, distracted, and often spread way too thin. The good news? Friendship is a skill you can work on and get better at—just like anything else.

Read How to be a better friend, according to therapists

 
Science Daily logo

Viewing art can boost wellbeing by giving meaning to life (from Science Daily)

The simple act of looking at a piece of visual art can boost your wellbeing, a new research study has found, and this benefit can be gained in a hospital setting as well as an art gallery.

Read Viewing art can boost wellbeing by giving meaning to life

 

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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