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Local Update, 28 July 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.
Inclusion Barnet news and events
Inclusion Barnet Touchpoint peer service team visits the network
Our Touchpoint service peer support workers Rezwana and Colette were recently invited by service users at The Network in Hendon to give a talk at their check-in session. The Network provides wellbeing support, engagement with activities, and signposting within the community for individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
Rezwana and Colette explained how our Touchpoint services work and addressed any questions the group had. It was a heartwarming meeting during which Colette and Rezwana shared their experiences as peers. The group shared The Network’s suicide prevention leaflet which The Network team helped to develop using their lived experience to make sure it is accessible to even more people. You can request a digital copy of this leaflet by emailing [email protected] and find out more about our Touchpoint services via our website.
Reminder: Our Benefit Advice Service is temporarily closed to all new referrals and enquiries. We recommend contacting alternative advice services, such as Barnet Citizens Advice Bureau or Boost, during this period. Updates on our reopening shall be on our social media and website.
Touchpoint Peer Support remains open as usual for new referrals and enquiries.
Events and news from the web
Let’s talk connection in mental health (online group from Mid West Aries), Wednesday 30 July, 2.00 - 3.00pm
The event will include discussion of the importance of being and feeling connected for our mental health and wellbeing. Discover practical strategies to build and maintain healthy relationships, strengthen your support network, and nurture a true sense of belonging.
Communication do’s & don’ts (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Tuesday 29 July, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Understanding how mental health impacts thinking and behavior helps to reduce frustration & stress, and improves outcomes for everyone. Learn simple tools to manage conflict and express feelings in this one-hour seminar.
Eating well for good mental health (online session from Nicole Carter Fitness), Tuesdays, 7.00 - 7.30pm
Learn tips and hints for eating well to boost your mood and overall well-being.
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.
Mindfulness for ADHD (online session from ShareWell), Mondays at 7.00pm
Learn how to build mindfulness muscles that work with your ADHD
Mindfulness and breathwork for people with MS (online session from Regina Beach), daily Monday - Thursday, 12.30 - 1.00pm
Accessible yoga, meditation and breathwork for people with chronic health conditions and limited energy
Beyond the page (online event from Zen Mushin), Wednesday 30 July, 7.00 - 10.00pm
An opportunity to explore the power of writing for self-care and personal growth.
Monthly ME/CFS peer support group (online support group from Brain Health Breakthrough CIC), Tuesday 12 August, 2.00 - 3.00pm
Peer support sessions for people who have or care for someone who has a diagnosis of ME/CFS.
Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?
Let us know by emailing the details to [email protected]
Podcasts
Podcast: They Said Girls Didn’t Belong in Football - Now I’m a Lioness Legend | Lucy Bronze (from Just as well: the women's health podcast)
In this powerful conversation Lucy opens up about her early struggles in the game - from sofa surfing and being banned from boys' teams, to dealing with injury, late diagnosis of ADHD and autism, and becoming a role model for the next generation.
Jamie's Farm podcasts
These podcasts are a tool to equip parents, teachers, and all who work with young people, revealing thought-provoking insight alongside practical strategies to support teenagers to thrive.
Articles
Music meets nature in Surrey care home study (from the BBC)
A care home has appointed a 'Musician-in-Residence' in a pioneering study exploring how outdoor music-making can benefit older people and those with dementia.
Bournemouth woman creates card game to support mental health patients facing long wait times for NHS appointments (from University of Bournemouth)
In response to the growing mental health crisis and lengthy delays in specialist appointments, a woman from Bournemouth launched a card game in response to this.
Lauren Crossby created the game Courage Quest designed to offer support and encouragement for mental health sufferers cope with wait times to see a specialist.
Why Labour should target happiness alongside economic growth (from the Guardian)
With the UK still shaking off the psychological side-effects of Covid, Rachel Reeves might want to broaden her aims
Read Why Labour should target happiness alongside economic growth
Poor mental health is driving young people out of their jobs. My own journey showed me how to help (from the Guardian)
Last month, new figures showed that one in four young people in England have a mental health condition.
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.
International wellbeing support group (From Rain on Me), Monday 4 August, 6.00pm
A free, international safe space to vent and grow with people who understand and accept you.
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
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+.
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.
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.
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 Enfield (an independent, statutory organisation dedicated to improving health and social care services in Enfield).
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
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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