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Local Update, 16 June 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.
Events and news from the web
Barnet Service User and Carer Forum
Date: 19th June 2025
Runs on the third Thursday of every month
Time: 14:00 –15:30
Guest: Dr Rosa Town
Topic: The Waiting Room
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 attendees may want to discuss. They also share useful information about things happening in Barnet.
Venue: In person at The Network, 24 Hendon Lane, London, N3 1TR
OR
Microsoft Teams, join by clicking the link or entering the details below. MS Teams link is also available on the BEH trust website.
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+44 20 3321 5208,,325359623# United Kingdom, London
Phone Conference ID: 325 359 623#
Barnet Forum Contacts
Jessica Lashko, Ella Goldberg, or Ioanna Xenophontes
Keep your marbles: mental health support group (online support group from Keep Your Marbles), Thursday 19 June, 7.00 - 8.30pm
This is a safe space for adults looking to connect with others and receive support for their mental health journey.
Understanding hypochondria and somatic symptom disorder (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Wednesday 18 June, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Explore the mind/body connection and how psychological factors can contribute to real physical symptoms in this one-hour seminar
Book Understanding hypochondria and somatic symptom disorder
Free workshop: let's talk depression (online workshop from Mid West Aries), Thursday 19 June, 10.00am - 12.00pm
A workshop exploring depression and strategies that may help when depression strikes.
Nurturing connection and bonding with children (webinar from Mindspring Mental Health Alliance), Monday 16 June, 6.00 - 7.00pm
Discover the power of connection to optimize children’s brain development, enhance social skills, and provide emotional stability in this one-hour seminar
“Good friends and better health: Social support, health and wellbeing” (webinar from University of Chichester), Thursday 19 June, 1.00 - 1.30pm
Join Dr Rebecca Graber, Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology, for an interactive look at how supportive friendships can contribute to better health and wellbeing, even in the face of significant social inequalities and health pressures.
Book “Good friends and better health: Social support, health and wellbeing”
The Network consultation
The Network is a support service for people with mental health needs that provides short-term wellbeing support (up to 9 months) for people who are experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Network is part of the council’s adult social care service.
The Network was set up as a prevention service many years ago. The council has identified that there are now many other services available to meet this type of need.
To ensure an informed decision is made on the future of the Network, a public consultation is being undertaken to gather the views and opinions of those who use the services and residents.
The consultation will invite views on two options for the Network service:
- A continuation of the service
- Closure of the service
Closing date: 14 July
Windrush Day (in person event), Sunday 22 June, 12.00 - 5.00pm, Hendon Library, The Burroughs London NW4 4BQ
Celebrate Windrush Day at Hendon Library with a vibrant afternoon of storytelling, creativity, and community connection. This family-friendly, drop-in event shines a light on the rich history and lasting legacy of the Windrush generation in Barnet.
Mindfulness and breathwork for people with MS (online session from Regina Beach), daily Monday - Thursday, 12.30 - 1.00pm
Accessible yoga, meditation and breathwork for people with chronic health conditions and limited energy
From overwhelmed and disconnected to living well with chronic illness (online workshop from Lisa Donnarumma), Tuesday 24 June, 1.00 - 2.00pm
A free online talk/workshop for those navigating chronic illness, burnout or stress
Book From overwhelmed and disconnected to living well with chronic illness
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 8 July, 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: How do I keep my brain healthy? (from New York Presbyterian)
A neurologist shares simple tips to help keep your brain healthy as you age.
Podcast: Alive and kicking with Clare McKenna (from Newstalk)
In this podcast, Claire McKenna looks at 'health' in the widest sense of the word.
Articles
“I crochet in times of overwhelm – here’s why you should too” (from Stylist)
Crochet is an unlikely lifeline for some
Read “I crochet in times of overwhelm – here’s why you should too”
Using sewing classes to empower women (from BBC)
One-hundred-and-fifty London women have learned to sew, thanks to a social enterprise that is geared towards empowering and upskilling women on low household incomes.
How thinking about the future reshapes your brain (from Psychology Today)
The importance of optimism and positive future visualizations.
Does gratitude journalling actually help improve mental health? (from 1 news)
Oprah Winfrey, Emma Watson, Jenna Dewan are among many celebrities who boast the benefits of writing in a gratitude journal — as does 1News Digital Reporter Emma Hildesley. But is the practice rooted in science? Or more of a placebo in the name of wellness?
Read Does gratitude journalling actually help improve mental health?
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 16 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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