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Local Update, 1 December 2025

Barnet Voice for Mental Health [[link removed]]

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 Understanding menopause - 1 hour workshop (from Unmasked Mental Health), Wednesday 3 December, 3.30 - 4.30pm

This course is about raising awareness and gaining an understanding of what menopause really is, how to recognise it and provide support.

Book Understanding menopause - 1 hour workshop [[link removed]]

Mindful mondays online: LGBT+ wellness & check-in circle (online group from Rainbow Ruckus CIC), Monday 1 December, 6.00pm

A free monthly online wellness check-in for LGBT+ individuals.

Book Mindful mondays online: LGBT+ wellness & check-in circle [[link removed]]

Rhythm and rise (online peer support from Key Changes), Wednesdays, 10.30am

An online wellbeing and peer support programme for global majority musicians — a space to connect, create, and thrive.

Book Rhythm and rise [[link removed]]

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

Book Mindfulness and breathwork for people with MS [[link removed]]

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

Book The circle of kings: men’s health hour [[link removed]]

Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?

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

Podcasts Well enough podcast (from the Independent)

A podcast answering questions about the world of health and wellness

Listen to Well enough podcast [[link removed]]

Podcast: Rock & Roll, ADHD, and anxiety with musician Harley Olivia (from Psych Central)

Canadian alt-rock singer-songwriter Harley Olivia joins Gabe Howard to share how embracing her creativity helped her manage ADHD, anxiety, and depression, and why ignoring your passions could make your mental health worse.

Listen to Podcast: Rock & Roll, ADHD, and anxiety with musician Harley Olivia [[link removed]]

Articles Five activities to improve your mental health as the nights get darker (from Malvern Observer)

As the nights draw closer and we start to experience the dark at 4pm, it can take its toll on our mental health, particularly as some of the evening’s activities we were enjoying to look after ourselves become that little bit more difficult to do.

Read Five activities to improve your mental health as the nights get darker [[link removed]]

From sunlight to socialising, 12 expert-backed steps to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (from Good Housekeeping)

Up to one in four of us suffer from SAD. Here's what to do to boost your mood this winter

Read From sunlight to socialising, 12 expert-backed steps to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder [[link removed]]

Dads group launches podcast to help more men (from the BBC)

A group set up to help and support dads in North Yorkshire has launched a weekly podcast.

Dads Behaving Madly, based in Scarborough, has grown from having just three members to more than 70 since it started last year.

Read Dads group launches podcast to help more men [[link removed]]

Clucky fundraiser completes six peak challenge (from the BBC)

A man has climbed six UK peaks in just three days dressed as a chicken for Parkinson's and mental health awareness.

Read Clucky fundraiser completes six peak challenge [[link removed]]

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 [[link removed]]

International wellbeing support group (From Rain on Me), Monday 1 December, 6.00pm

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

Book International wellbeing support group [[link removed]]

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 servicesReduce social isolationProvide emotional supportEmpower 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 [[link removed]]. 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: [[link removed]]

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+.

More information on Sanctuary in Barnet [[link removed]]

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 [[link removed]]

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 [[link removed]]

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 [[link removed]]

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.

Do you feel isolated or lonely? Come along to Building Friendship. Free. remaining info repeats in main article." width="503" src=" 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

[[link removed]]

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 [[link removed]] (supporting Disabled people in Barnet to access the benefits they are entitled to).

Touchpoint [[link removed]] (supports people experiencing any form of disability in Barnet to access the services and resources they need).

Healthwatch Enfield [[link removed]] (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 [[link removed]]

Useful links for mental health and wellbeing

Click on the title to go to the individual websites.

LOCAL

Mind in Barnet [[link removed]] - counselling Mind in Barnet Sanctuary [[link removed]] - find calm, make space, move forward Barnet Wellbeing Service [[link removed]]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 [[link removed]] - free online Mental Wellbeing for London Kooth [[link removed]] - free, safe and anonymous online support for young people Qwell [[link removed]] - free online safe and confidential space to share & support

Shout [[link removed]]- free, 24/7 text messaging support - text SHOUT to 85258 Samaritans [[link removed]] - 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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