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Local Update, 20 April 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.
Please note there will be no newsletter next week due to staff annual leave. The next issue will be on Monday 4 May.
Inclusion Barnet news and events
Reminder: What's at stake in the PIP review – and why your voice matters
Inclusion Barnet invites you to our next User Voice meeting, where we’ll be talking about the Government’s Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the their “call for evidence” of people’s experiences.
Friday, 24 April, 1.30–3.00pm (online via Zoom)
Booking is essential: email our team at uservoice@inclusionbarnet.org.uk and we will send you the Zoom link - and don’t forget to include any access requirements!
Some members have told us they’re worried about what the PIP review could mean. Others have said they’ve hardly heard about it at all. This meeting will provide a breakdown of what the PIP review is about, why it matters and what it means for Disabled people. We’ll also share suggestions and prompts on how you can respond to the Government survey.
Events and news from the web
Shakespeare for brain health (webinar from Veronica Frankin Gould), Thursday 23 April, 2.00 - 4.00pm
Prof Paul Matthews & Dame Harriet Walter illuminate the neuroscience & re-energising language of Shakespeare.
Productive habits for PhD researchers (online group from Dr Emma Brodzinski), Wednesday 22 April, 11.00am
This interactive session harnesses the power of habit to promote productivity and wellbeing during a PhD journey.
An introduction to dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) in practice (online session from icandance), Monday 27 April, 7.30 - 9.00pm
An introduction to what DMP is and how this approach supports Disabled children and young people, from icandance, a London-based charity.
Clarity and calm journaling circle (online group from Sue Richards), Tuesdays 8.00 - 9.00pm
Weekly journaling circle for women
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
Deeply Unimportant podcast (from Deeply Unimportant)
Sleep podcast to put racing thoughts to bed.
Podcast: Using AI chatbots can impact your teen's mental health. Here's what to do (from NPR)
Using chatbots for emotional support can pose risks to teens' mental health. How should parents talk to their teens about using chatbots safely? And what's the best way to have those conversations without causing conflict?
Listen to Podcast: Using AI chatbots can impact your teen's mental health. Here's what to do
Articles
Spreading positivity one compliment at a time (from Scot Scoop)
How optimism impacts children’s lives
How small wellbeing habits can transform workplace mental health (from All Things Business)
When it comes to mental health, meaningful change rarely comes from dramatic lifestyle overhauls. More often, it’s the small, consistent habits we build into our daily lives that make the biggest difference.
Read How small wellbeing habits can transform workplace mental health
How citizen science can improve people’s health (from Australian Geographic)
A citizen science study has found participants’ mental wellbeing is positively affected, in a variety of ways.
Your brain reacts to nature in ways scientists can now measure (from earth.com)
A new systematic review and meta-analysis found that exposure to nature is consistently linked to lower negative emotions, and often higher positive emotions too – and scientists are starting to measure those effects directly in the brain.
Read Your brain reacts to nature in ways scientists can now measure
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 20 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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