We are excited to say our new brochure for the Mental Health and Well-Being Activities Programme is out now. Lots of fantastic new activities to join in with York Mind and our great partners-KYRA, York LGBT Forum, Explore York, Hoglets Theatre, RAY, York City Knights, Heart Wood Works, Portal Bookshop, Blueberry Academy and York Carers Centre.
For further information, or for support to refer, please contact the York Mind Activities Team on 01904 643364-Option 5, or emailactivities@yorkmind.org.uk
FitKnight Lite Exercise Sessions with York City Knights
Our partner York City Knights are working hard to keep people fit and healthy during Lockdown. Their fantastic trainer Martin Bond will help you to feel more confident with exercise, whilst supporting you to get fit at your own pace.
These sessions are currently being delivered online until we can get back to face to face, but don't let this put you off! Working out at home, means no trekking out on cold winter nights.
Why not sign up today-New Year- New Possibilities!
Sunday Coffee Club
Our Sunday Coffee Club is an on going weekly group. Every Sunday 3-5pm on Zoom.
The club offers a place to chat, meet others and get involved in quizzes and fun games, just as we would face to face. But you wont have to leave your sofa!
Don't worry if you do not have access to the internet. If you have a phone, you can dial in to the conversation. If you need help to access, please let us know and we will talk you through it.
Venue: Initially online via Zoom. Contact 01904 643364-Option 5, or emailactivities@yorkmind.org.uk to access the Zoom instructions.
Cost: Free to attend
Wellbeing Peer Support
Are you looking for ways to improve your wellbeing? Do you want to meet and share with people in a similar situation to you?
Our Well-being Peer Support Group meets weekly and gives members a chance to share their feelings and experiences with others. Over the course of the 8 week group, members can explore ways of improving self-esteem, managing emotions, techniques for relaxation and mindfulness, alongside people you can relate to. The group is facilitated.
Come and join us—meet people and share your story at your own pace in a safe space.
Date: 11th January-1st March 2021
Day: Monday
Time: 2pm-3.15pm
Venue: Zoom platform
Cost:Free
York Mind Book Club
Are the winter nights dragging on? Are you looking for a space to meet others whilst enjoying a good book?
Our York Mind Book Club could be for you!
We will be running a fortnightly book club from Thursday 7th January 2021, 6.30pm-8pm.
The aim of this 12 week space, will be to create a Book Club, which members may wish to continue longer term.
Date: Thursday 7th January 2021
Time: 6.30-8pm
Cost: Free
Learn to Dance with York Mind
Are you looking for fun ways to keep fit? Always wanted to dance but felt too self conscious?
Then our Learn to Dance group could be for you. Jas our experienced dance teacher is on hand to teach you some dance moves and techniques, including Bollywood, Street and Twerking!
No experience necessary!
Date: 12th January - 16th February 2021
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 6-7pm
Venue: Deliveredon Zoom platform
Cost: Free
Pathways to Health & Wellbeing
Has lockdown affected your health and well-being? Would you like to explore ways to look after yourself better?
Our Pathways to Health and Well-being course offers a range of information and skills sharing, to support positive well-being. Over 6 weeks we will explore topics including: food and mood, physical and mental activity/ exercise, managing stress and anxiety, mindfulness, sleep and relaxation, and connecting with others. You will have the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas with other participants, and support each other to take positive steps towards better self care. Lets grow together!!
Date: 13th January - 17th February 2021
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 1-2:30pm
Venue:Delivered on Zoom Platform
Cost:Free
Managing Anxieties
Is worry and stress keeping you up at night? Would you like to feel calmer and more in control of anxiety?
We all experience stress and anxiety at times. It is a normal part of life. But too much can adversely affect our mood, our body and our relationships.
Our 8 week course will help you learn how to recognise your personal stress and anxiety triggers, and learn simple practical techniques to manage these feelings.
As a group we will learn together, in a relaxed and friendly space. We will help each other to manage our anxieties, and share ideas to feel calmer and more relaxed.
Date: 19th January– 9th March 2021
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 1-2:30pm
Venue: Delivered over Zoom Platform
Cost: Free
Winter Well-Being Arts and Craft Group
Start the New Year with York Mind, and take part in some exciting art and craft activities. Let's make some creative connections in a friendly and supportive environment.
After a challenging year, our group aims to help us relax, recharge and express ourselves, whilst connecting with others.
Date: 21st January - 18th March 2021
Day: Thursday
Time: 1-2:30pm
Venue: Delivered on Zoom Platform
Cost: Free
Increasing Happiness
Happiness can be very illusive. People often pursue something in the belief it will bring them happiness, only to feel unhappy when they finally get it. The question often asked is: How can I be truly happy?
In our 2 hour workshop, the nature of happiness is explored. You will learn specific techniques that have been shown to increase long-term happiness. These Include: - How to become more optimistic - Doing things that fully engage you - Reducing worry and oversensitivity - Savouring - really noticing positive things
Date: 29th January 2021
Day: Friday
Time: 1pm-3pm
Venue: Zoom platform
Cost:Free
Assertiveness
Do you find yourself saying Yes when you really mean No? Would you like to communicate your views and ideas in ways that enable you to feel heard and respected?
Our 6 week Assertiveness course will teach you techniques to help you speak up for yourself, with confidence, whilst communicating in an honest and respectful manner with others.
The content of the course will look at dealing with conflicts, making compromises and achieving better communication.
Becoming more assertive can boost your self-esteem and respect for yourself, as well as having a positive impact on your relationships.
Date: 23rd February - 30th March 2021
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 10-11:15am
Venue: Delivered over Zoom Platform
Cost:Free
Eating Well for Good Health
Looking to improve your diet and feel healthier? Do you want to improve your mood and boost energy levels?
Our Eating Well for Good Health group explores the relationship between what you eat and how you feel, including tips on how to include healthy eating in your life.
Through both theory and practical recipe instruction, the groups aims to increase your knowledge and understanding of diet and nutrition, and how the food you eat can affect your mental and physical health.
Date: 24th February - 14th April 2021
Day: Wednesday
Time: 1pm-2.30pm
Venue: Delivered on Zoom platform
Cost: Free
This group will run again in late April-June 2021.
Understanding Our Emotions
It is safe to say that the pandemic has affected us all in one way or another, and we may be feeling increasingly emotional, stressed, angry, fearful, worried or a combination of all of these emotions.
Our 2 hr workshop aims to help us understand our emotions better so we can feel more comfortable in ourselves.
Date: Friday 26th February 2021
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Zoom platform
Cost:Free
Mindfulness Evening
Mindfulness is about living in the moment and learning to be more present in life. It can help you learn to accept thoughts and experiences, just as they are, without judging or worrying about them.
Mindfulness is clinically proven to reduce depression and anxiety, improve your well-being and support physical health. Our 8 week facilitated course will provide you with practical strategies and techniques to live your life more mindfully.
Date: 2nd March –20th April 2021
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 6:30-8pm
Venue: Delivered on Zoom Platform
Cost:Free
Building Confidence and Resilience
Would you like to feel more confident and in control of your life? Do you feel that you are missing out and not able to move forward?
Our facilitated 8 week course looks at practical ways to manage our emotions, by exploring how we think and behave.
As a group we will reflect on how we can change our thoughts, so we can feel more confident, resilient and connected.
Together we will look at the barriers we face, and explore coping strategies to support positive well-being.
Come along and take a step on the path to a more confident life!
Date: Monday8th March-10th May 2021 (No group on 5th April or 3rd May 2021)
Time: 1pm-2.30pm
Venue: Zoom platform
Cost: Free
Mindful Walking
Are you looking to improve your health and fitness? Would you like to be more active, meet new people and explore York as a group?
Our group is all about getting out and about in the local York area, focusing our awareness on our surroundings, improving our physical and emotional health and making new friends.
We will engage in short, relaxed walks in various locations across the City.
Date: Monday 1st February - 22nd March 2021
Time: 1pm-2.30pm (including refreshment break)
Meeting point: York Mind, Highcliffe Court, York, YO30 6BP
Cost: Free
This group will run again from 12th April - 14th June.
Evening Hatha Yoga at York Mind
An 8 week course in Hatha Yoga, breathing and relaxation techniques
Yoga is a gentle form of exercise, which helps to unwind the stresses; mental, emotional and physical, that we experience from day to day life.
It helps us to move mindfully, listen to our bodies, can improve flexibility, strength, and can have a positive effect on our mood and general well-being.
Date: 27th April-15th June 2021
Day: Tuesday
Time: 6.30-7.30pm
Venue: Zoom platform
Cost:Free
1If I don't live in York, can I still access York Mind Activities?
The Activities programme is funded for residents of the City of York Council boundary. (This means that you pay your Council Tax to City of York Council.)
If you are unsure whether you are eligible for the programme please check your postcode area here: www.york.gov.uk/wards
2How many activities can I join?
You can enrol on as many activities as you wish. However, we ask that you prioritise the activities you would like to access by putting the most important one first. We will try and meet your first preferred choice, where possible. However, this is dependent on a number of factors including:
If you are new to the project and haven't accessed anything before;
Spaces available
3When will I know if I have a space on my chosen activity?
We aim to allocate places 2 weeks before the activity start date (please note: If you have not accessed our activities programme before your enrolment will be prioritised). This is to ensure we have sufficient enrolments for the activity and to check that you are still interested and can attend. In some cases, you may hear from us quite close to the start date for example, if a place has become available due to someone else being unable to attend.
If you do not hear from us by the course start date please assume you have not been successful in obtaining a place on the specific activity.
4What if I can't attend every week of an activity?
By accepting a place on an activity you are committing to attending all or most of the sessions. however, if you are unable to attend (due to illness/prior appointments) then please let us know by calling 01904 643364 Option 5- Activities
As activity places are in demand and we often have people on waiting lists, regular attendance is important.
5What facilities are available at York Mind?
York Mind’s activity rooms are on the first floor of the building, there is a lift available. We have a downstairs accessible toilet and two upstairs toilets near our activity rooms. There is limited parking close to the building and although we do not have any designated disabled spaces we may be able to reserve a space outside the building if you have access needs. however, this may not always be possible.
Free teas, coffee and water are available during activities (with the exception of the coffee club). You are welcome to bring your own refreshments if you require these.
We also have free public WiFi available
Please make the Activities Team aware if you have any access needs and we will try and assist.
6Do I have to enrol online- or are there other options?
If you are unable to enrol on-line you can call the Activities Team on 01904 643364 Option 5 Activities to complete the form over the phone, or ask for a copy to be sent to you. You can also email the team at: activities@yorkmind.org.uk , to request a form by email or mail.
7How do I access activities via Zoom?
Due to COVID-19, a number of our activities have moved to being delivered online instead of face to face. York Mind and our partners are committed to ensuring the safety of our participants and our staff during this time, and will be adhering to all government guidance and social distancing guidelines.
We are using Zoom online platforms to deliver activities. Participants will require equipment such as a laptop, PC computer, tablet, I- pad, or a smartphone, and access to the internet, to access the full online groups. For those without the necessary equipment, there is a dial in function which means you can access the group via the telephone. You will not be able to see the rest of the group, but will be able to hear the content of the group.
If you require support accessing Zoom, York Mind can offer some basic training support. Please enquire at your enrollment assessment.