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Local Update, 30 March 2026
Barnet Voice for Mental Health
020 3475 1314
bvmh@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
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
User Voice
We held a productive March User Voice meeting for Inclusion Barnet members with research charity IVAR. Feedback was given to improve reasonable adjustments in urgent care at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals.
Why not come to future monthly meetings to give your input to local issues affecting members?
It's free and easy to join Inclusion Barnet and you will receive details of each meeting in advance.
Events and news from the web
Barnet Wellbeing Service's next Hub Connections event
Attend on Tuesday 31 March 2026 to connect with others, explore local wellbeing support and take part in gentle, uplifting activities.
At this event you can:
• Take part in accessible activities to energise your body
and mind
• Meet new people and build community connections
• Find out about local wellbeing services
• Enjoy a free light lunch and informal networking
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday 31 March 2026
Time: Doors open at 11:00am, event runs until 2:00pm
Light lunch & networking: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Location: St Barnabas Church, 913 High Road, London N12 8QJ
Reserve your free spot here: bit.ly/HUB3103
Keep your marbles: meditation: mindfulness (online event from Keep your marbles), Wednesday 1 April, 7.00 - 7.30pm
Interactive mindfulness meditation session on zoom.
Think more positively (online event from Inner Space), Tuesday 31 March, 6.00 - 6.45pm
Learn how to switch negative thoughts to positive thoughts
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.
Understanding stress at work (online event from Stratus Coaching), Thursday 2 April, 10.00 - 10.45am
Webinar open to anyone who is interested in learning more about stress.
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.
Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?
Let us know by emailing the details to bvmh@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Podcasts
Sukany4 - the podcast (from Sukany4.podcast)
Conversations whilst walking in nature or locally.
Podcast: Physical health and bipolar: how to live better and longer (from Psych Central)
Listeners will learn:
- how sleep apnea mimics — and triggers — mood changes
- why not every physical symptom is “just bipolar”
- the truth about medication and your liver
- how your lifestyle choices and daily habits can rewrite your health statistics
Listen to Podcast: Physical health and bipolar: how to live better and longer
Articles
Skater hopes to tackle 'tsunami of loneliness' (from the BBC)
A youth worker says skateboarding can play an important role in supporting young men's mental health and helping them feel less alone.
Want to eat for your mental health? Consider aiming for balance. (from Mind Body Green)
What we eat directly affects a host of bodily functions, from metabolism to blood sugar regulation and, yes, even our mood.
Read Want to eat for your mental health? Consider aiming for balance.
Want to reduce inflammation? New research points to optimism
New research says there may be a way to lower inflammation with just a thought—and an optimistic one at that.
Read Want to reduce inflammation? New research points to optimism
The focus on mental health at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games (from International Paralympic Committee)
The demands of elite Paralympic competition not only require peak physical fitness but also strong mental health and resilience
Read The focus on mental health at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
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 April, 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: befriending@cbplus.org.uk
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: barnet.depressionalliance@gmail.com
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: buildingfriendship@gmail.com. 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: buildingfriendship@gmail.com. Or leave a message with your name and contact number on 020 8449 5320.
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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