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Local Update, 22 September 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 for the next 2 weeks due to staff annual leave. The next issue will be on Monday 13 October.
Events and news from the web
Hub Connections: World Mental Health Day Event
On 10 October 2025, from 11am to 2pm, Barnet Wellbeing Service and local partners will host the Hub Connections World Mental Health Day Event at The Meritage Centre, Church End, London NW4 4JT.
This year’s theme is: “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes & Emergencies.” The event will explore how to access vital mental health support during times of crisis.
Highlights include:
- The launch of Barnet’s new Suicide Prevention Strategy 2026–30
- Hear from local services offering crisis and recovery support
- Learn how to navigate mental health support when it’s needed most
- Take part in wellbeing activities
- Connect with others and discover resources across Barnet
- Enjoy a free light lunch!
Attendees can register through the link: bit.ly/HUBWMHD (QR code available on the poster).
Contact information:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.barnetwellbeing.org.uk
My mental health - empowering me (online workshop from Mid West Aries), Thursday 25 September, 10.00am - 12.00pm
This workshop will cover how to become more empowered and self advocate on behalf of ourselves.
Building resilience through seasonal change (online panel discussion from Mental Health Ireland), Wednesday 24 September, 2.00 - 3.00pm
The panel will share simple, practical ways to help build resilience during times of transition
Black maternal mental health week: mental health & digital support (webinar from The Motherhood Group), Wednesday 24 September, 11.30am - 12.15pm
An online interactive webinar to explore how digital support can improve maternal healtAh outcomes for mothers
Book Black maternal mental health week: mental health & digital support
Men and eating disorders (webinar from tastelifeUK), Thursday 25 September, 12.30 - 1.00pm
An individual shares his experience of, and recovery from, an eating disorder.
Eating well for good mental health (online session from Nicole Carter Fitness), Tuesdays, 7.00 - 7.30pm
Learn tips and hints for eating well to boost your mood and overall well-being
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
Mindfulness for ADHD (online event from ShareWell), Mondays at 7.00pm
Learn how to build mindfulness muscles that work with your ADHD—not against it.
Monthly ME/CFS peer support group (online support group from Brain Health Breakthrough CIC), Tuesday 14 October, 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
How trees boost your focus and mental health (podcast from Futurity)
A psychologist explains how trees boost your attention, improve mental health—and even reduce crime
How hobbies can boost mental health (podcast from WBUR)
Most adults don’t have hobbies due to the pressures of daily life, financial issues or work stress. But studies show that engaging in a hobby can have huge benefits for your mental health.
Articles
Separate challenges 'shining a light' on men's mental health (from the BBC)
Aaron Oliver and Dave Walters are taking part in separate endurance challenges to raise money for a men's mental health organisation on the Isle of Wight.
Read Separate challenges 'shining a light' on men's mental health
No to over-walking, yes to ‘positive pooch parenting’: 5 expert strategies to boost your dog’s mental health (from Good Housekeeping)
Want to put your pooch in a positive frame of mind? A new book shares how...
How can exercise help mental well-being in older adults? (from Healthline)
As you age, physical activity can help mitigate mood disorders by helping support bodily and cognitive health. Exercise options exist for all ability levels.
Read How can exercise help mental well-being in older adults?
The places where the voices in your head are seen as a good thing (from the BBC)
Western medicine typically views anyone who admits to being told what to do by disembodied voices as suffering from psychosis. But that is not the case everywhere – so what can we learn from those who treat these hallucinations differently?
Read The places where the voices in your head are seen as a good thing
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 6 October, 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
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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