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Local Update, 17 November 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
Reminder: User Voice monthly members’ meetings starting in November!
Are you a Disabled person / carer in Barnet who wants to be more involved in the decisions that affect our lives? On the third Friday of every month we’re going to be holding user voice meetings to tackle and discuss issues most important to you. The first meeting will be on:-
Friday 21 November, 1.30 – 3.00pm.
More information including accessibility and how to book
Not a member of Inclusion Barnet but would like to join?
It’s easy and free to join using the membership form.
Events and news from the web
Barnet Service User and Carer Forum
Date: Wednesday 19th November 2025
Runs on the third Wednesday of every month
Time: 14:00 –15:30
Barnet Mental Health services want to hear what you have to say about Adult Mental Health services. Their forum encourages and promotes service users and carers working alongside staff to improve services.
They have speakers arranged each month and a chat about other topics our attendees may want to discuss. They also share useful information about things happening in Barnet.
Venue:
In person, Finchley Memorial Hospital. Granville Road London N12 OJE.
Ground Floor past the reception desk; glass fronted doors on your right.
Please be aware that this is a food and drink free zone.
or
Online, Microsoft Teams, join by clicking the link or entering the details below.
MS Teams link is also available on the NLFT trust website.
Microsoft Teams
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 353 807 566 665 3
Passcode: Rw9ER7zr
Dial in by phone
+44 20 3321 5208,,371942378# United Kingdom, City of London
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 371 942 378#
Barnet Forum Contacts:
Ella Goldberg, Sally Hurcomb, Ioanna Xenophontes
[email protected]
Self-care for musicians: physical health and mental health (online event from Help Musicians), Wednesday 19 November, 1.00 - 2.00pm
Many musicians experience a performance-related injury or pain whilst playing. This session explores the impact of this on mental health
Book Self-care for musicians: physical health and mental health
Fathers and mental health focus group (online event from Fatherhood Institute), Tuesday 18 November, 1.00 - 2.00pm
This focus group is for you if you're a dad in England who has experience of mental health challenges while parenting a child under 5, or supporting your co-parent through mental health challenges.
Beyond the page (online event from Zen Mushin), Tuesday 18 November, 7.00 - 10.00pm
A session of writing exercises and discussions to boost your mental health
5 ways To wellbeing (online workshop from Unmasked Mental Health), Wednesday 19 November, 9.30 - 10.30am
This bite-sized course looks at what wellbeing means. The "Five Ways to Wellbeing" are simple actions that can improve mental health and overall well-being. They will explore how to incorporate these five key elements into your regular routine – ultimately leading to greater wellbeing and a more fulfilling life!
The neuroscience of caregiving (online event from David's Palace), Saturday 22 November, 5.00pm
Free virtual workshop exploring the science behind emotional resilience and compassionate caregiving. Through neuroscience-based insights and trauma-informed tools, you’ll learn how to cultivate calm, clarity, and connection in the care you provide.
Mindfulness and breathwork for people with MS (online session from Regina Beach), Mon - Thurs at 12.30pm
A 30-minute meditation, gentle movement, and breathwork session for people with Multiple Sclerosis and related conditions
The circle of kings: men’s health hour (online event from The Maths Surgery Uk Limited), Sundays, 7.00 - 8.30pm
A chance to prioritize your health and make positive changes in your life
Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?
Let us know by emailing the details to [email protected]
Podcasts
Podcast: Digital health unplugged: how lived experience is shaping mental health tech (from Digital Health)
This podcast delves into the importance of including the patient voice in the development of digital mental health technologies.
Listen to Podcast: Digital health unplugged: how lived experience is shaping mental health tech
Epilepsy and mental health (podcast from Cleveland Clinic)
Researchers explore new avenues for the management of psychiatric illness in patients with seizure disorders.
Articles
People who hug daily are less depressed (from Psychology Today)
A new study investigated the association of hugging, depression and anxiety.
Boxing gave me something to fight for, says coach (from the BBC)
An award-winning boxing coach said she has been using her experience of living with addiction to help young people make positive choices.
Sharing positive emotions is good for your health, a new study reveals (from Happiful)
Sharing when we’re feeling good isn’t just a nice thing to do; it could be good for our health
Read Sharing positive emotions is good for your health, a new study reveals
“Will the circle be unbroken”: songs and stories to heal families (from Psychology Today)
- Sharing stories and songs are ways of sharing ourselves, and bring us together.
- Both country music and family stories express the tensions of life, the joys and sorrows.
- Storying our lives through songs and family storytelling can be healing.
Read “Will the circle be unbroken”: songs and stories to heal families
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 17 November, 6.00pm
A free, international safe space to vent and grow with people who understand and accept you.
Regular Events in Barnet
Barnet Friends
Barnet Friends is a free telephone befriending service under the charity, CB Plus. Whether you want someone to talk to, or need some extra motivation to access local wellbeing activities, Barnet Friends can provide a listening ear.
They can support adults aged 18-55 who either live, work or study in Barnet. Their friendly and non-judgemental volunteers can call you once per week for 6-12 months. Their service aims to:
- Reduce feelings of loneliness
- Connect you to local services
- Reduce social isolation
- Provide emotional support
- Empower you to connect with the community
Over the last year they supported 108 people, and matched 26 new clients to their wonderful volunteers. Their personable and empathetic volunteers also carried out just under 600 hours of befriending calls on the phone!
If you are experiencing loneliness now, don't delay; sign up today! You can self refer here. They accept self referrals, as well as referrals through local charities and Social Prescribing Link Workers.
You can also reach them by telephone on 0208 016 0016
Email: [email protected]
Client testimonials:
‘Barnet Befriending is a blessing to me. I am very grateful to have been matched with a befriender who is genuinely kind, easy to talk to, supportive and trustworthy. Thank you for giving me so much comfort that I do not need to suffer in silence or do it alone. I will always be grateful.’
‘I will give you 5 stars. Your organisation is very helpful. Also, the volunteer is a very professional man. He helped a lot.’
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
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.
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
- North London NHS Foundation Trust crisis helpline for Barnet, Enfield and Haringey 0800 151 0023 24/7, 365 days a year.
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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