PEER SUPPORT Community Living Well JANUARY 2018

ABOUT #PEERTALK News of our growing Peer Support Groups, including a new drop in group for members. PAGE 6

NEWS FROM MOTHER TONGUE Find out about other parts of Community Living Well. In this edition we find out about the Mother Tongue Counselling service. PAGE 4-5

SOCIAL MEET UPS Some great social meet ups taking place in January, including two special museum visits. PAGE 12-20 2 JANUARY 2018

Getting Well and Staying Well

As we welcome in the new year the Peer Support service will be providing more opportunities for members to give and receieve help to improve their wellbeing.

During each type of peer support meet up - social, online, 1-to-1, groups, living well workshops and timebank - we will be focusing on using our time together to talk with others about the challenges of staying well and sharing our knowledge of how we can overcome these challenges.

Talking about our mental health and wellbeing can help to lessen the burden and help reduce feelings of isolation. The connections made with other peers and being part of a community offering support and understanding to each other can be rewarding. The recent feedback received from the new Peer Support Groups has told us that having more supported opportunities to talk openly about mental health would be a valuable experience that will help with managing day to day problems.

In January, Feel Good Friday (and in the near future, Monday Social) will include additional opportunities to receive and offer peer support. You can read more about these groups on page 8-9 and page 13 or you can contact us to let us know if you would like to find out more and attend.

Community Living Well Peer Support is brought to you by Kensington and Chelsea Mind Office 1, 7 Thorpe Close, London, W10 5XL.

Registered in England No. 2597728 | Charity No. 1002986

Liz Duff,Team Leader Meet the team [email protected] 07976 244 589 To get in touch email: [email protected] or (Working days; Mon - Thu) call the messaging service on 020 3011 0433 to leave your name and number and we will call you back. Liam Pywell, Peer Support Development Worker For organisations to refer someone to Peer Support, please email [email protected] [email protected] 07960 290 265 PEER SUPPORT MAGAZINE 3 PEER SUPPORT WHO IS IT FOR? CAN I COME TO PEER SUPPORT? CAN PEER SUPPORT HELP ME?

Community Living Well Peer Support is Peer Support can help you to feel less isolated available to: and increase your confidence. It gives you a chance to gain knowledge about your mental health and to get or give support and talk to • people over 16 others who can empathise through a shared • who are registered with a GP in Kensington experience. and Chelsea, Queen's Park or areas of Peer Support offers both peer-led and peer- • who have experienced or are affected facilitated activities which focus on your by depression or other mental health strengths, hopes and ambitions and can help problems you develop skills and strategies to manage and maintain your emotional and physical • whose mental health care is being looked wellbeing. after by primary care general practice services Peer support can help you through: • or to the carers of those who satisfy the • feeling accepted by others who share above. your experience • developing and sharing skills We can also take referrals for people stepping • reducing feelings of isolation down from secondary mental health services • building confidence and emotional resilience through the Community Living Well Primary • building new relationships Care Liaison Nurse team. If you are eligible and you'd like to come along to any Peer Support activity get in touch today. [email protected] | or call 020 3011 0433.

Whitney Shaw-Dale Stuart Beck Peer Support Coordinator Peer Support Coordinator [email protected] [email protected] 07908 265 183 (Working days; Mon, Wed- Fri) 07495 579 252

Yvonne Nelson Christina Bengston Peer Support Coordinator Marketing Coordinator [email protected] [email protected] 07964 376 928 (Working days; Tue, Wed) 07908 265 186 4 JANUARY 2018 Around Community Living Well

Each month we'll be sharing news and information with you from around the whole of the Community Living Well service. This month we take a look at Mother Tongue Counselling.

health, illness and overall wellbeing can lead WHEN YOU MIGHT NEED SUPPORT us to hide or ignore our symptoms until they worsen. There can be times in life when we feel stuck and helpless, and nothing seems right, when Just like any physical health condition, little things start to overwhelm us and worry mental health problems do not represent takes over our mind, when we feel tired or a personal failure or weakness. They can afraid and feel unable to manage everyday happen to anyone, anytime! tasks, when we can’t eat well, sleep well and start to avoid people and activities! With effective and timely support, most people achieve full recovery and are able to One in four of us experience a mental health live productive lives. Feeling better can start difficulty such as stress, anxiety or depression with something as simple as just ‘talking’ to a at least once in our lifetime. Despite being very trained counsellor. common, a lot of us do not feel comfortable talking about our difficult thoughts and Research and studies tell us that talking feelings to others. Incomplete or inappropriate therapy or counselling is much more effective information about mental health, fear of and beneficial for the patient, when the being judged or discriminated against, and counsellor speaks the same language, rather even cultural differences and attitudes about than using an interpreter.

I felt empowered because I had the choice to“ use any words in any language when I wanted to discuss my experiences, describe my painful feelings or put meaning to my strong emotions... Now I feel more prepared and am looking to embrace a much positive and happy future.” Around Community Living Well

MOTHER TONGUE COUNSELLING Our small and approachable team at Mother Tongue Counselling engages with the Arabic and Farsi speaking communities from Kensington and Chelsea, Queen's Park and Paddington to support them with their GET MORE INFORMATION mental and emotional wellbeing and to ensure that their access to help is not stalled We appreciate that sometimes more by their ethnicity, culture or faith. information may be required to get a feel of what psychological support may look like. We provide up to 12 free one-to-one Therefore, we also deliver regular self-help counselling sessions in Arabic and Farsi groups and emotional wellbeing workshops languages, at various community locations, (co-facilitated in Arabic & Farsi), usually including St Charles Centre for Health and arranged with existing community groups Wellbeing. People are also able to self-refer. on a range of topics related to mental health, suited to the participant needs and demands.

For the first time, I was freely able to You are also very welcome to pick up our talk.. talk without thinking.. and all the built translated literature and information leaflets on common mental health issues, frequently up“ tension and pain in my body got a release used terms, self-help techniques and details as I was comfortably able to through my about other local services in the community, most pressing issues about myself and my which you can read in your own time. family. All this because my counsellor was speaking to me in Farsi, I felt she was equal It was so helpful to share personal to me and I could sense acceptance and her stories with other ladies in the group, and the genuine interest to understand and help me. fact“ that the discussions were held both in I could trust her! English and Arabic, made me understand how I have always been fearing and misreading WHO IS IT FOR?” the big strong medical words, when all of that is just a part of being human. And what The Community Living Well Mother Tongue made it even better was that I was not alone Counselling service is available to people: in feeling that! • Aged 18 or over • Who are registered with a GP in Kensington and Chelsea, Queen's Park or Paddington GETTING IN TOUCH” • Who have Arabic or Farsi cultural and language needs To make a referral or for any more details, • Who are being looked after by primary care please get in touch: general practice services (not accessing any email: [email protected] secondary care mental health services). call: 07715 636 626 | 020 7259 8120

PEER SUPPORT MAGAZINE 5 6 JANUARY 2018 pixabay.com

#PeerTalk EW DROP IN Peer Support open peer support group. This means that Groups begin in January plus any member can drop in, anytime. New and existing members are welcome to join and there's another chance to there is no limit on how many sessions you get involved in peer work by can attend. The first of these open groups will enrolling in peer support training. be taking place before our Feel Good Friday N meet up on Friday 26th January. More details PEER SUPPORT GROUPS on page 8-9.

In October 2017 we launched the Peer Support PEER SUPPORT TRAINING Groups designed to bring people together who can share their experience of mental -- Starting in February -- health. Interested in peer support training? During January we’re signing people up to our next To attend the peer support groups, members course that will start in February. The peer must register with the service and are invited support training programme aims to help individually to join as space becomes available you understand peer support and develop and are then able to attend up to 6 sessions. the basic skills and knowledge which you can These groups often focus on a particular apply to a peer support role. This time around shared difficulty, for example anxiety & the course will run for 6 weeks in the evening. depression. Groups may also be restricted to particular groups of people such as new To find out more about the peer support mothers or young people. training course get in touch with Liam on However in 2018 we are expanding! There will 07960 290 265 or by email at peersupport@ now be the opportunity to come along to an kcmind.org.uk. PEER SUPPORT MAGAZINE 7 Types of peer 1-to-1 peer support on offer One-to-one Peer Support Meet with a peer, talk support through emotional challenges and share Meet with a peer, talk through emotional coping suggestions. challenges and share coping suggestions. Peer Support Groups Structured self help ALKING HELPS, BUT not everyone is peer support groups comfortable talking in a group and even if aim to bring people you are, sometimes it’s nice to be able to sit together who can and talk to someone on a one-to-one basis. share their experience. T Talking to a peer means you are with someone Living Well who is equal to you, not a healthcare professional. It’s Workshops someone who can put themselves in your shoes. Our workshops aim to help you understand Sometimes just having a safe space and time to talk is different topics and enough. Your peer will be there to listen, relate to how learn new things. you feel and even offer practical tips they themselves have used to overcome similar difficulties. Timebank Peer Support The timebank is a If you'd like to come and talk one-to-one with a peer, network of peers just get in touch with us. Each session is up to 45 who support each minutes long. These sessions are already very popular other using time as if so please get in touch soon if you'd like to be added to it were currency. the waiting list. If you want to talk to someone before committing to a session, or to book, send us an email Social Peer Support Social groups are a at [email protected] or call Liam on 07960 great way to meet 290 265. like-minded people in a safe and supportive NORTH SOUTH environment. St Charles Centre for Violet Melchett Health Centre Online Peer Support Health and Wellbeing Community Living Well Peer support doesn’t Exmoor Street 2nd Floor, 30 Flood Walk always have to be face W10 6DZ Chelsea, SW3 5RR to face. FriendsinNeed. co.uk is a secure website you can use Thursday 4th Jan Thur 11th Jan | 10am - 12:30pm to interact with peers Thursday 18th Jan Tues 16th Jan | 10am - 2:30pm from the comfort and Thursday 1st Feb Thur 25th Jan | 10am - 12:30pm security of your own home. 10am - 12:30pm and 1:30pm - 5:30pm 8 JANUARY 2018 Peer Support Groups NXIETY IS WHAT we feel when Difficulty with depression and anxiety we are worried, tense or afraid affects around 1 in 6 people and even though – particularly about things that it affects so many of us, it can often feel are about to happen, or which like you’re the only one that feels this way. A we think could happen in the Structured self help peer support groups future. Anxiety is a natural human response aim to bring people together who can share when we perceive that we are under threat. their experiences. It’s your chance to talk It can be experienced through our thoughts, without being judged, an opportunity to feelings and physical sensations. Most people learn about how others in similar situations manage their symptoms (which you can feel anxious at times but anxiety can become try yourself) and connect with people who a mental health problem if it impacts on your know what it’s like to feel the way you do. ability to live your life as fully as you want to. You can read more on the Mind website. We've got two types of peer support groups you can attend once you've registered to EPRESSION IS A low mood that the Peer Support service: lasts for a long time, and affects your everyday life. In its mildest 1. For most of our groups members must form, depression can mean just book and can then expect to attend up D low spirits. It doesn't stop you to 6 sessions to get the most benefit leading a normal life but makes everything from the groups harder to do and seem less worthwhile. 2. We've also got a drop in group starting At its most severe, depression can be life- in January (taking place as part of Feel threatening because it can make you feel Good Friday p.13). New members are suicidal or simply lose the will to live. Read welcome to join at any time and there is more on the Mind website. no limit on how many sessions you can attend.

If you have or are experiencing either If you want to find out a bit more information or both of these feelings, then you about the peer support groups or to book might benefit from attending a peer a place, please get in touch and email support group. [email protected] or call Liam on 07960 290 265. PEER SUPPORT MAGAZINE 9

Peer Support Groups are a way to give and receive mutual support to help manage the stresses in your life. Groups are co-facilitated by a peer. Join us for the depression and anxiety peer support group. Places at the Peer Support Groups must be booked in advance. See below for contact details.

NORTH SOUTH DROP IN St. Charles Centre for Health Violet Melchett Health Centre, The Stowe Centre and Wellbeing, Exmoor St., Community Living Well, 2nd 258 Harrow Road W10 6DZ (Take Time to Talk Floor, 30 Flood Walk, Chelsea, W2 5ES group room) SW3 5RR

Thursday 4th Jan Tuesday 9th Jan Friday 26th Jan Monday 15th Jan Tuesday 23rd Jan Friday 2nd Feb Monday 29th Jan 11:30am - 1pm 11:30am - 12:30pm 6pm - 7:30pm Liam - 07960 290 265 Liam - 07960 290 265 Liam - 07960 290 265 Yvonne - 07964 376 928 Whitney - 07908 265 183 Whitney - 07908 265 183 10 JANUARY 2018

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1 2 3 4 5 SAT 6

2:30pm Monday Social 2pm Poetry 2pm FiN Arts for wellbeing 10am 1-to-1 Peer Support 1pm Feel Good Friday

6pm City Walkers 2:15pm FiN Crafts for wellbeing 5:30pm Coffee Break Club 1:30pm Jewellery 1pm Park Life

1:30pm 1-to-1 Peer Support 7:30pm Music & Wellbeing SUN 7

6pm Peer Support Group

8 9 10 11 12 SAT 13

2:30pm Monday Social 11:30am Peer Support Group 2pm FiN Arts for wellbeing 10am 1-to-1 Peer Support 10am Peer Support Training 1pm City Walkers

6pm Come Dine with Us 1:30pm FiN Museums 5:30pm Coffee Break Club 1:30pm Jewellery 1pm Feel Good Friday

2pm Poetry 1pm Park Life

2:15pm FiN Crafts for wellbeing SUN 14

15 16 17 18 19 SAT 20

2:30pm Monday Social 10am 1-to-1 Peer Support 2:30pm FiN Arts for wellbeing 10am 1-to-1 Peer Support 10am Peer Support Training

6pm Peer Support Group 2pm Poetry 5:30pm Coffee Break Club 1:30pm Jewellery 1pm Feel Good Friday

2:15pm FiN Crafts for wellbeing 7:30pm Music & Wellbeing 1:30pm 1-to-1 Peer Support 1pm Park Life SUN 21

6pm City Walkers

22 23 24 25 26 SAT 27

2:30pm Monday Social 11:30am Peer Support Group 2pm FiN Arts for wellbeing 10am 1-to-1 Peer Support 11:30am Peer Support Group

2pm Poetry 5:30pm Coffee Break Club 1:30pm Jewellery 1pm Feel Good Friday

2:15pm FiN Crafts for wellbeing 1pm Park Life SUN 28

6:30pm FiN Museums

29 30 31 1 2 SAT 3

2:30pm Monday Social 2pm Poetry 2pm FiN Arts for wellbeing 10am 1-to-1 Peer Support 11:30am Peer Support Group

6pm Peer Support Group 2:15pm FiN Crafts for wellbeing 5:30pm Coffee Break Club 1:30pm Jewellery 1pm Feel Good Friday

5:30pm Music & Wellbeing 1:30pm 1-to-1 Peer Support

SUN 4

Key ~ Types of Peer Support Peer Support Training (p.6) One-to-One Peer Support (p.7) Peer Support Groups (p.8-9) Social and Online Peer Support (p.12-20) PEER SUPPORT MAGAZINE 11

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1 2 3 4 5 SAT 6

2:30pm Monday Social 2pm Poetry 2pm FiN Arts for wellbeing 10am 1-to-1 Peer Support 1pm Feel Good Friday

6pm City Walkers 2:15pm FiN Crafts for wellbeing 5:30pm Coffee Break Club 1:30pm Jewellery 1pm Park Life

1:30pm 1-to-1 Peer Support 7:30pm Music & Wellbeing SUN 7

6pm Peer Support Group

8 9 10 11 12 SAT 13

2:30pm Monday Social 11:30am Peer Support Group 2pm FiN Arts for wellbeing 10am 1-to-1 Peer Support 10am Peer Support Training 1pm City Walkers

6pm Come Dine with Us 1:30pm FiN Museums 5:30pm Coffee Break Club 1:30pm Jewellery 1pm Feel Good Friday

2pm Poetry 1pm Park Life

2:15pm FiN Crafts for wellbeing SUN 14

15 16 17 18 19 SAT 20

2:30pm Monday Social 10am 1-to-1 Peer Support 2:30pm FiN Arts for wellbeing 10am 1-to-1 Peer Support 10am Peer Support Training

6pm Peer Support Group 2pm Poetry 5:30pm Coffee Break Club 1:30pm Jewellery 1pm Feel Good Friday

2:15pm FiN Crafts for wellbeing 7:30pm Music & Wellbeing 1:30pm 1-to-1 Peer Support 1pm Park Life SUN 21

6pm City Walkers

22 23 24 25 26 SAT 27

2:30pm Monday Social 11:30am Peer Support Group 2pm FiN Arts for wellbeing 10am 1-to-1 Peer Support 11:30am Peer Support Group

2pm Poetry 5:30pm Coffee Break Club 1:30pm Jewellery 1pm Feel Good Friday

2:15pm FiN Crafts for wellbeing 1pm Park Life SUN 28

6:30pm FiN Museums

29 30 31 1 2 SAT 3

2:30pm Monday Social 2pm Poetry 2pm FiN Arts for wellbeing 10am 1-to-1 Peer Support 11:30am Peer Support Group

6pm Peer Support Group 2:15pm FiN Crafts for wellbeing 5:30pm Coffee Break Club 1:30pm Jewellery 1pm Feel Good Friday

5:30pm Music & Wellbeing 1:30pm 1-to-1 Peer Support

SUN 4 12 JANUARY 2018

SOCIAL PEER SUPPORT Social peer support is delivered through Friends in Need groups. Friends in Need is a peer-to-peer support community, where you can meet others in a safe, supportive environment to join an activity or just spend time with people who have a similar interest and shared experience.

FIVE WAYS TO WELLBEING

If you are eligible (check your eligibility on p.3) and you'd like to come along to any of the Social Peer Support meet ups, get in touch to register at peersupport@kcmind. org.uk or you can call or text the person listed by each meet up. If it’s your first time, we’ll meet with you beforehand to introduce you to others and answer any questions.

All our Social Peer Support meet ups are based around the five ways to wellbeing. These are simple actions that have been proven to improve our wellbeing. PEER SUPPORT MAGAZINE 13

KEEP CONNECTED WITH FIN SOCIAL

The first of the five ways is connecting with others. Connecting with people around you is a vital element of recovery and wellbeing. Taking the time to socialise with friends who can empathise with how you feel is an investment that will support and enrich you every day. Keep Connected: page 14-15

TAKE NOTICE WITH FIN MINDFULNESS

Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. In all of our FiN Mindfulness activities we encourage you to savour the moment, be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflect on your experiences to help appreciate what matters to you. Take Notice: page 18-19

KEEP ACTIVE WITH FIN FITNESS

Regular physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety. Exercise doesn’t need to be particularly intense for you to feel good. Slower paced activities, such as walking, can have the benefit of encouraging social interactions as well as providing some level of exercise. Why not get active with a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness? Keep Active: page 16

KEEP LEARNING WITH FIN WE LOVE TO LEARN

Continued learning through life enhances self-esteem and encourages social interaction and a more active life. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the opportunity to engage in work or educational activities really helps to lift people out of depression. Why not come along to one of the many meet ups in which you can expand your mind, learn something new and connect with others? Keep Learning: page 17

GIVE WITH FIN GIVING

Participation in social and community life has attracted a lot of attention in the field of wellbeing research. Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy. Research into actions for promoting happiness has shown that committing an act of kindness can result in an increase in feelings of wellbeing. 14 JANUARY 2018

KEEP CONNECTED

Come Dine with Us Coffee Break Club My Old Dutch Connect with others over a weekly coffee, We're off to the original pancake house tea or refreshment. We encourage a warm in January which serves both savoury and welcoming environment. Meet others and sweet pancakes. The social setting who share a similar experience in a relaxed is a great opportunity for you to make way, with no pressure on you. new friends and reacquaint with current members. All the coffee meet ups take place at: Wholefoods (1st Floor Cafe), 63 Kensington This is a very popular activity so booking High Street, W8 5SE | 5:30pm - 7pm is essential. Contact Whitney to book your place. Weds 3rd Jan Stuart - 07495 579 252 Monday 8th January | 6pm – 8:30pm Weds 10th Jan Stuart - 07495 579 252 My Old Dutch, 16 Kensington Church Weds 17th Jan Yvonne - 07964 376 928 St, Kensington, W8 4EP Weds 24th Jan Stuart - 07495 579 252 Weds 31st Jan Whitney - 07908 265 183 Whitney – 07908 265 183 PEER SUPPORT MAGAZINE 15

KEEP CONNECTED

Feel Good Friday Monday Social Join in this mixed activity meet up to connect with Connect with others at the others in the Queen’s Park and Paddington areas. weekly Monday Social Club Jointly run with the Community Champions there is where you can chat and the opportunity to connect with others and participate participate in one or all of the in a variety of activities. Play board games or cards, or activities available. This is a great maybe try your hand at mindful colouring or have a meet up to join whether you’re game of pool. new to the community or have been coming for a while. Games Club: board games and pool Community Cooking & Social Connecting with other people is such an important Share your favourite meal with part of wellbeing and this is an opportunity to do this others. Cooking is taken in turns through games. If you’re a fan of chess, cards, scrabble (if you would like to give it a go), or other board games then this might be the perfect there is a well equipped kitchen place for you to connect with other people who have and it's a fantastic venue for experience of mental health problems. In a relaxing and members to come and cook a welcoming environment people have the opportunity meal for each other. to share their experiences and relax with new friends. We love to Sing Mindful Colouring We invite you to come and sing Mindful colouring is an easy way to calm the mind with us. Group singing has been and occupy the hands. Mindful colouring is a form of shown to have a positive effect active meditation. It focuses attention on simple tasks on our wellbeing. You don’t have that require repetitive motion. Concentrating like this to have operatic pipes to join in. clears the mind of negative or unhelpful thoughts and There’s no audition and no one focuses your brain on the present. If regular meditation will be forced into singing a solo. may not be your thing, why not come and have a go at mindful colouring. Mon 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th January Friday 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th* January and 2nd* February St. Peter’s Church, Kensington The Stowe Centre, 258 Harrow Road, W2 5ES Park Road (opposite Stanley Whitney - 07908 265 183 | 1pm - 3pm Gardens) W11 2PN *On these days we will also be having a drop in Stuart - 07495 579 252 Peer Support Group from 11:30am-12:30pm, more 2:30pm - 4:30pm information on page 8-9.

January brain teaser: Can you find five hidden countries in the following paragraph? Dominic had a certain way with animals, he could almost talk to them. By tickling it under the chin, a tiger would roll over and let its belly be tickled. This technique is used to good effect in gaining its trust and allows a vital yearly treatment to be performed safely, the removal of nits, whereby a special blend of malt and water is rubbed into the skin. You can find the answer hidden somewhere in the magazine. Puzzle from: brainbashers.com 16 JANUARY 2018

KEEP ACTIVE

City Walkers Staying physically active can help recovery from depression, improves sleep, mood and self-esteem. Plus walking together in a group can help us to stay motivated. Add in local historical landmarks and our city walkers groups become a fantastic way of improving our wellbeing.

During each of our city walks we’ll explore new areas and discover new facts about the borough, improving our knowledge and our wellbeing.

Central London Christmas Lights walk Join us for a New Year's day evening stroll as we take in the Christmas Lights displays around London, including Southbank, Trafalgar Square, , Seven Dials, Regents Street, Carnaby Street and more! Monday 1st Jan | 6pm - 8:30pm (set off at 6:15pm) Waterloo station, Outside Foyles bookshop (opposite platform 18), Unit 22, Lower Concourse, London Waterloo Station, Station Approach, SE1 8SW

Wimbledon Join us for a Wimbledon themed walk taking in Wimbledon Park and boating lake, Wimbledon Tennis Courts & Lawn Tennis museum, Buddhist Temple, Wimbledon Common and Windmill, Cannizaro Park, and coffee in Wimbledon afterwards. Saturday 13th Jan | 1pm - 4:30pm (set off at 1:15pm) Wimbledon Park Underground Station, Arthur Rd, SW19

Lumiere Festival of Light Walk Join us for a spectacular evening walk as artists light up central London's streets and landmarks with dazzling works of light and colour! Read more about the festival on the Visit London website. Sunday 21st Jan | 6pm - 9pm Contact Stuart for details on the meeting point.

Stuart - 07495 579 252 PEER SUPPORT MAGAZINE 17

KEEP ACTIVE

Park Life Move your mood with our eco-therapeutic park life walks. Most of us know that physical activity can increase happiness but did you know that being exposed to the natural environment is as important to boost mood. Join a friendly group as they explore the beautiful parks of London. Connect with others; take notice of nature and the changing seasons and increase your mental health and wellbeing.

Kensington Gardens Meet outside Queensway tube station exit at 1pm, to set off by 1.15pm. Friday 5th Jan | 1pm - 3pm Queensway Tube Station, 17 Rd, W2 4SS Fulham Palace Gardens Join us for a walk by the river in Bishops Park and Fulham Palace Gardens. Meet at Putney Bridge tube exit at 1pm, set off 1.15pm. Friday 12th Jan | 1pm - 2:30pm Putney Bridge Station, Station Approach, SW6 3UH

Regents Park Join us for a stroll around Regents Park. Meet outside Metropolitan Bar (next to Baker St tube station exit) at 1pm, set off at 1.15pm. Friday 19th Jan | 1pm - 2:30pm The Metropolitan Bar, 7 Station Approach, Rd, NW1 5LD

Holland Park Join us for a hot drink and a walk in beautiful Holland Park. Meeting inside Holland Park cafe at 1pm, set off 1.15pm. Friday 26th Jan | 1pm - 2:30pm Holland Park Cafe, Holland Park, Ilchester Place, W8 6LU

For all Park Life walks contact Stuart - 07495 579 252 January Brain Teaser Solution: Chad, China, Togo, Italy, Malta Italy, Togo, China, Chad, Solution: Teaser Brain January 18 JANUARY 2018

KEEP LEARNING

Art for Wellbeing Participation in the arts can have a really positive impact on our mental health, contributing to an increase in self-esteem, motivation and relaxation. In this group we will be developing our artistic abilities, creating our own art and learning from and appreciating the skills of others. You don’t have to be Picasso to join us for this relaxed weekly art group, you only need an interest in art.

Like FiN crafts, this month we will be creating works of art to enhance wellbeing. Using various techniques we will work on canvas' or post-cards to display positive words, quotes, affirmations and images to lift you up when you may feel down.

Weds, 3rd , 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st January 2:00 - 4:00pm Chelsea Theatre, 7 Worlds End Place, SW10 0DR Whitney - 07908 265 183

Crafts for Wellbeing Jewellery Making January can bring about the post festival Research has shown that jewellery blues so we want to work on a project making can increase a person's feeling of which can help to inspire and uplift your wellbeing, happiness and self-worth. It mood. makes people feel relaxed and produces a sense of accomplishment. This month you'll be creating your So why not join our regular jewellery very own Fabric Wall Art of Positivity. making group? We have some very Using picture frames, fabrics, positive experienced members who help each affirmations, words, quotes and your other and newcomers to get started. own wisdom, these wall hangings will be a gentle reminder that it will always be ok. Thursday 4th, 11th*, 18th*, 25th Jan and 1st Feb Tuesday 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th 1:30pm - 4:30pm January Chelsea Theatre, 7 Worlds End Place, 2:15 - 4:15pm SW10 0DR Chelsea Theatre, 7 Worlds End Place, SW10 0DR Whitney - 07908 265 183 Yvonne - 07968 376 928 *On these dates the group will be member led, conact Whitney for more details. PEER SUPPORT MAGAZINE 19

KEEP LEARNING

Museums

Horniman Museum Join us for a real treat as we visit the Horniman Museum and Gardens to explore different objects by touching, wearing and discovering them for ourselves in their fun 'Hands On Base' exhibition. Plus a visit into their wonderful butterfly house with free tickets generously provided by the museum! Meeting in the main entrance area. Tuesday 9th January | 1:15pm - 4:30pm (visit begins at 1:30pm) Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ

Victoria and Albert Museum Join us for our latest edition of museum evening visits as we go to the V&A! Meet at South Kensington tube station exit (facing Paul bakery) at 6:15pm to go to museum at 6:30pm. Or you can meet us inside.

Friday 26th January | 6:15pm - 9pm South Kensington Tube Station, Pelham St, SW7 2NB 20 JANUARY 2018

TAKE NOTICE

Music and Wellbeing Poetry ~ Music is known to improve human cognitive function and Words and Healing increase both concentration and attention. It also has a Reading and writing poetry for much more important emotional benefit: music uplifts our many people helps them to mood and brings people closer together. feel calm and relaxed. There’s also some scientific evidence Brass Ensemble that poetry changes the way Join us for a brass instrument showcase that will be we think. The arrangement of performing the music of Janacek, Mendelssohn, Wagner, poetry is different from that Bach and Beethoven. of other types of writing. It challenges us and gets our Friday 5th Jan | 6:45pm - Late brains working differently. (please arrive by 7:15pm concert begins at 7:30pm). Concentrating on poetry Meet in reception of Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, Royal together can work in a similar College of Music, Prince Consort Rd, SW7 2BS way to mindfulness. It forces us to be in the present. Percussion Showcase Celebrating the marimba (a wooden percussion instrument) We invite anyone with an this thrilling showcase will include music from Bach as well interest in poetry to come as Japanese pieces. along to this member led meet up, be it reading, Wednesday 17th Jan | 6:45pm - Late listening or writing. Each (please arrive by 7:15pm concert begins at 7:30pm). week members will bring a Meet in reception of Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, Royal poem - something they’ve College of Music, Prince Consort Rd, SW7 2BS found or written themselves, to share and discuss with Opera Scenes others. Royal College of Music's wonderful vocalists perform operatic scenes, including Tchaikovsky's Eugine Onegin and Handel's Tuesday 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd Rolelinda, intimately staged with piano accompaniment. and 30th January 2pm - 3:30pm Tuesday 30th Jan | 4:45pm - Late (please arrive by 5:15pm concert begins at 5:30pm). For more information about Meet in reception of Britten Theatre, Royal College of the location of this meet up Music, Prince Consort Rd, SW7 2BS please contact:

Contact: Stuart 07495 579 252 Liz - 07976 244 589

Community Living Well Peer Support is not a crisis service. If you are worried about your mental health or the mental health of a friend or family member then please contact the Single Point of Access for help, advice or support over the phone, 24 hours a day. 0800 0234 650. Or visit www.kcmind.org.uk for more crisis advice.