hiya bucks in Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Wycombe, Wooburn June 2018 | Page 18
Friends in Need
launches in Bucks
Buckinghamshire Mind is launching a vital new peer support service for
people with mental health problems in Bucks. The mental health charity
is expanding Friends in Need, which has had extremely positive results
in East Berkshire. The new service is being funded by a grant provided
by national Mind.
Friends in Need is a friendly peer support
group that helps members to manage their
depression and anxiety by trying uplifting, fun and
free-of-charge activities. The groups provide a
supportive and inclusive environment for members
to come together with others who have had similar
experiences.
“If I hadn’t found Friends in Need, I would
still be at home, shopping online, sitting and
not washing my hair or showering for weeks.
In May, I was suicidal but now I am starting
a new job. Coming to FiN has given me back
my self-confidence, got rid of my feelings of
worthlessness and given my self-esteem a
boost! Being open about my depression within
the group has helped me to be open in my
interview so my new employer knows about my
mental health problems, which is a relief.”
Friends in Need Member
“FIN has given me a sense of purpose and of
being part of a community where my presence
and contribution are valued. This, in turn, has
helped alleviate my chronic feelings of low
self-worth and low self-esteem, which are the
main triggers for depression for me in the past.”
Peer Volunteer for Friends in Need
Buckinghamshire Mind identified the need for
peer support groups in the county following the
completion of a research project it carried out last
year in partnership with Healthwatch Bucks.
Activities include:
• Local walks, picnics and barbecues
• Orienteering
• Arts and crafts
• Yoga, tai chi and Zumba with Sport in Mind
• Cycling
• Gardening
• Social evenings such as pub quizzes,
games nights and meals out together
• Mindfulness for deep relaxation
• Guest speakers
• Monthly day trips to local attractions
such as museums, historic buildings and
temples
• Photography walks
• Mind the Note (singing group)
• Learning how to use technology for our
wellbeing with Discovery 3
“We are really delighted to be able to
expand our Friends in Need service into
Buckinghamshire so that we can help people
with mental health problems in the county to
continue on their recovery journey. We’re very
grateful to national Mind for awarding this
grant.”
Debbie Workman, Friends in Need Team Lead,
Buckinghamshire Mind
To join or find out more about Friends in Need, please call Debbie
Workman on 07964 376 951, email [email protected]
or visit www.bucksmind.org.uk/friends-in-need
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