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Local Update, 25 May 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
Barnet needs your voice: join our workshop
Have you or someone close to you been affected by gambling in a way that caused stress, worry, or harm?
Barnet Council Public Health are holding a small, supportive workshop to better understand how gambling affects people locally; what support is like (and what’s missing); and what needs to change.
You can help shape how support for people detrimentally affected by gambling is improved in Barnet.
How do you know if this group is for you?
You are:
- An 18+ resident of Barnet
- Someone who has experienced gambling-related harms, either from your own gambling or someone else’s
- Someone who feels safe and able to talk about your experiences and listen to other people’s
Why participate?
- Share your experiences in a safe, supportive environment
- Help shape Barnet’s approach to reducing gambling harms and improving support for others
- Receive compensation (a £22 voucher aninfo@inclusionunlimited.org.ukd lunch) as a thank you for your time and input
About the focus group
- When: Monday 22nd June, 11.30am–1pm
- Where: Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BG
Register your interest
Accessibility and contact
We are committed to making this event as inclusive as possible.
For questions or accessibility needs, contact:
info@inclusionunlimited.org.uk
Organised by Barnet Council Public Health in partnership with Inclusion Unlimited.
Events and news from the web
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Carers forum (online group from Matthew McKenzie), Friday 29 May, 10.30am - 12.00pm
Online group aimed at ethnic unpaid Carers of those going through mental ill health
Beyond the page (online group from Zen Mushin), Wednesday 27 May, 7.00 - 9.00pm
A session of writing exercises and discussions to boost your mental health and overall wellbeing
Maudsley talks (online talk from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust), Wednesday 27 May, 6.00 - 7.30pm
Hear from mental health professionals on a key mental health topic
Healthy lifestyle perinatal programme (online event from Neighbourhood Doulas), Monday 8 June, 10.30 - 12.00pm.
Online healthy lifestyle perinatal programme to improve physical and mental health wellbeing during your pregnancy journey.
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.
Introduction to creative writing for brain tumour patients & caregivers (online session from brainstrust - the brain cancer people), Thursday 28 May, 11.00am - 12.15pm
Discover writing for pleasure, when writing might provide support, and where it can bring a sense of solidarity, purpose or hope.
Book Introduction to creative writing for brain tumour patients & caregivers
Got a relevant event to share in this newsletter?
Let us know by emailing the details to bvmh@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Podcasts
Podcast: Mickey Thomas - "The pressures of United and mental health" (from manutd.com)
Interview with former Manchester United player Mickey Thomas about mental health.
Listen to Podcast: Mickey Thomas - "The pressures of United and mental health"
BBC Sounds mental wellbeing collection (from BBC)
Stories & music to help us understand ourselves
Articles
Does time outdoors improve children’s mental health? (from Psychology Today)
Contact with nature is likely good for children's well-being, but we need to know more.
How HDL cholesterol may help explain why exercise supports mental health (from Mind Body Green)
Regular physical activity is consistently linked to lower rates of depression, and most of us have felt the mood lift that comes after a good workout. But the mechanisms behind this relationship are still being untangled.
Read How HDL cholesterol may help explain why exercise supports mental health
Premier League encourages fans to connect with others to support mental wellbeing (from Premier League)
Inside Matters initiative to encourage fans to use their shared passion for football as a route to talk about how they are feeling
Read Premier League encourages fans to connect with others to support mental wellbeing
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 1 June, 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.
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
LONDON & NATIONAL
- NHS mental health crisis service: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can contact the NHS mental health crisis service by calling 111 and selecting option 2. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
- 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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