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Local Update, 26 May 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.
Please note there will be no newsletter next week due to staff annual leave. The next issue will be on Monday 9 June.
Inclusion Barnet News and Events
Grange Big Local guided walk, Sunday 8 June, 11.00am - 1.30pm, meet at Green Arrow's Garden at the Archer Academy
Grange Big Local (GBL), our resident-led, lottery funded community project, have curated a guided walk stopping at important landmarks in GBL history in East Finchley as part of London Festival of Architecture 2025. On Sunday 8 June, GBL volunteers will be there to guide you through the route, finishing with free foraged soup and a balm-making workshop courtesy of Barnwood N2.
Reminder: Disabled voices have been ignored as key proposals to cut benefits are left out of the official Government Consultation.
Our Campaign for Disability Justice has submitted a response to the Green Paper: Pathways to Work and you’re invited to sign our open letter in support.
We continue to stand in solidarity with all DPO’s, charities and organisations in their calls against benefit cuts and harmful policies. Our Campaign for Disability Justice is also looking ahead to how Disabled voices can, and must, be included in Government conversations and reviews of key services, systems and policies that impact them.
It’s time for inclusion!
We’re calling on the Government to fully involved Disabled people in reviews of the Work Capability Assessment, Personal Independence Payment assessments, Safeguarding, employer & employee support and Access to Work.
Please sign our open letter to the Government to support our response.
You can find out more and sign their open letter on the campaign website.
Events and news from the web
Ethnic mental health carers forum (from Matthew Mckenzie), Friday 30 May, 10.30am - 12.00pm
Online Group aimed at ethnic unpaid Carers of those going through mental ill health.
Special issues in women's mental health (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Wednesday 28 May, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Explore the symptoms, causation, and treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Perinatal Depression, and Perinatal Anxiety in this one-hour seminar.
Understanding depression (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Thursday 29 May, 4.00 - 5.00pm
Learn practical tips for managing symptoms and helping others.
Creativity for wellbeing (online workshop from Mid West Aries), Tuesday 27 May, 2.00 - 4.00pm
A workshop about how we can each tap into our creativity to enhance our wellbeing and improve our mental health.
Intelligent Health: nurturing a thriving natural environment (webinar from Intelligent Health), Monday 2 June, 2.30 - 3.30pm
This webinar will discuss the integral links between safe, equitable and enhanced access to nature and our personal health.
Book Intelligent Health: nurturing a thriving natural environment
Beyond the page (online event from Zen Mushin), Tuesday 17 June, 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 10 June, 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: News fatigue and mental health (from On Track)
The news is hard to tune out, even when we want to.
The music & meditation podcast (from BBC)
Escape the noise of daily life through the power of music and meditation.
Articles
Supporting refugees and asylum seekers to build good mental health through community (from Mental Health Foundation)
While seeking sanctuary in a safe country like the UK can mark the beginning of a fresh start, the reality is far from simple.
Read Supporting refugees and asylum seekers to build good mental health through community
7 ways to build mental strength with your smartphone (from Psychology Today)
Skip the digital detox and use your phone to improve your mental health.
Psychologist says 'granny activities' boost mental health better than meditation (from Gloucestershire Live)
'Granny hobbies' or being an amateur Picasso helps boost mental health, a study has revealed - as a psychologist claims creative hobbies help Brits banish work-related stress. Nearly everyone who takes part in artistic hobbies says it has had a positive impact on their mental health, the survey found.
Read Psychologist says 'granny activities' boost mental health better than meditation
Swimmers sought for cold water study on depression
It is hoped the study could help determine future treatments for depression and anxiety.
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 2 June, 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 Barnet (an independent, statutory organisation dedicated to improving health and social care services in Barnet).
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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