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Local Update, 9 March 2026

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 Nature & wellness series (online sessions from Capital Blue Cross Connect Virtual), Monday 9, 16, 23 March, 4.00 - 5.00pm

Learn about nature's impact on well-being & explore practical strategies for incorporating nature into your routine to boost mental health.

Book Nature & wellness series [[link removed]]

Nature compassion (online group from Jess Read) each Wednesday in April, 11.30am - 12.30pm

An online group exploring mindful resources and practices to turn towards ourselves - and nature - when we need it the most.

Book Nature compassion [[link removed]]

England Bipolar UK support group (online event from Bipolar UK), Tuesday 10 March, 12.30-1.30pm

This support group is free and open to anyone who is affected by bipolar, including family, friends and carers

Book England Bipolar UK support group [[link removed]]

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.

Book Mindfulness based cancer support group [[link removed]]

Creative wellbeing cafe - flourish in joy (online group from Patchwork People), Wednesday 11 March, 6.00 - 8.00pm

A relaxed space using creativity to help mental health and wellbeing

Book Creative wellbeing cafe - flourish in joy [[link removed]]

Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?

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

Podcasts Podcast: Why a nature journal might help cure the winter blues – and how to start your own (from NPR news, Colorado stories)

Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression some people feel during the autumn and winter months.

Listen to Podcast: Why a nature journal might help cure the winter blues – and how to start your own [[link removed]]

Podcast: College can be a big life change. How can students navigate mental health challenges? (from KGOU)

Researchers have found that students who use social media at least 16 hours a week, or more than two hours a day, have significantly higher odds of reporting loneliness.

Listen to Podcast: College can be a big life change. How can students navigate mental health challenges? [[link removed]]

Articles A surprising workout to help you feel calmer (it’s not yoga) (from self.com)

A growing body of research suggests that cardio may be especially helpful for managing anxiety.

Read A surprising workout to help you feel calmer (it’s not yoga) [[link removed]]

Popular online puzzle game can help reduce PTSD symptoms (from the Independent)

Researchers found that some people who engaged with the puzzle game as part of PTSD treatment experienced a significant reduction in flashbacks

Read Popular online puzzle game can help reduce PTSD symptoms [[link removed]]

Tips from a psychologist who trains olympic athletes (from Psychology Today)

How lessons from Olympians' training can help in your own life.

Read Tips from a psychologist who trains olympic athletes [[link removed]]

Is AI good or bad for employee health and wellbeing? Can you answer that one? You better learn how to! (from Diginomica)

Current research provides a very mixed and conflicting picture as to whether AI is having a positive or negative impact on employee health and wellbeing.

Read Is AI good or bad for employee health and wellbeing? Can you answer that one? You better learn how to! [[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 16 March, 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=" 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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