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Local Update, 15 December 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
Festive opening hours
We will be completely closed from midday on Wednesday 24th December – Friday 2nd January. During this time we’ll be unable to respond to your queries, but if you’re in need of urgent support, please have a look at the resources on our blog.
Wishing all Barnet residents a peaceful festive season.
Events and news from the web
Move Beyond Cancer
Move Beyond Cancer sessions are free to attend and open to any Barnet resident who has received a cancer diagnosis, whether currently in treatment or in recovery. It will be a supportive space to stay active, meet others, and build confidence through gentle, tailored physical activity.
Programme welcome session: 16th of December at 11am
Location: Burnt Oak Leisure Centre
Sessions: 16 weekly gentle aerobic sessions.
What the sessions offer:
- Gentle aerobic exercise suitable during or after treatment
- A safe, friendly space to meet others with shared experiences
- Support to improve strength, energy and wellbeing
- Opportunities to stay active and connected within the community
- These sessions are designed to help participants feel empowered, supported and less isolated.
Keep your marbles: mental health support group (online support group from Keep your marbles), Thursday 18 December, 7.00 - 8.30pm
A non-judgmental environment where you can discuss your mental health challenges and receive support from peers.
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.
Empowering loved ones with mental health disorders (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Thursday 18 December, 4.00 - 5.00pm
Discuss the complications of mental illness, the four dimensions of recovery, and how to make a recovery plan.
Mindfulness based cancer support group (online group from Holo Health), Saturdays, 7.00 - 8.30pm
Free group sessions aiming to reduce stress, improve quality of life, and support recovery in cancer, led by an Oncology Nurse Specialist.
Journaling for wellbeing (online workshop from Mid West Aries), Wednesday 17 December, 10.00am - 12.00pm
A discussion of how journaling can boost mental health and wellbeing
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
Meditation for the world on World Meditation Day (online meditation from Inner Space), Sunday 21 December, 6.30 - 7.30pm
A collective soul-soothing meditation for the world
Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?
Let us know by emailing the details to [email protected]
Podcasts
All things mental health podcast (from All things mental health)
A mental health podcast focussing on young minds and students
The wellness scoop podcast (from the wellness scoop)
Weekly health inspiration including wellness news.
Articles
This 15-minute activity is proven to reduce anxiety and improve mental health (from My Modern Met)
Staying positive can be a real challenge for those who suffer from anxiety or low self-worth, but new research shows that our imaginations play a powerful role in creating positive change.
Read This 15-minute activity is proven to reduce anxiety and improve mental health
Five steps to mental health and a 'good-enough' holiday (from Psychology Today)
How to navigate seasonal pressures with realistic expectations and calm focus
Read Five steps to mental health and a 'good-enough' holiday
The fun exercise that can help cure insomnia (from the Independent)
Tai chi could be the perfect exercise for managing insomnia, a study has revealed.
Season of thanks and trials: The power of practicing gratitude (from Texas A & M University)
Mental health experts offer strategies for overcoming the holiday blues.
Read Season of thanks and trials: The power of practicing gratitude
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 15 December, 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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