What's on
From family support, fitness classes and learning to art exhibitions, festivals and talks, our activities are wide and far reaching.
This week (Monday 9th May – Sunday 15th May) is known as Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK. This year’s theme of Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘Loneliness’.
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event created by the Mental Health Foundation to raise awareness of the importance of achieving good mental health. As the open discussion of mental health continues, this event is now one of the biggest awareness weeks across the UK and globally.
Mental Health Awareness Week is a week dedicated to starting open and honest discussions about mental health and how it can affect our lives. Achieving good mental health can significantly improve your overall wellbeing and aid you with the tools to tackle the stresses in your everyday life.
Why is taking care of our mental health important?
Most people understand the importance of looking after your physical health, and how it can affect your short-term and long-term wellbeing. However, not everyone understands the importance of looking after your mental health too. Good mental health is just as important as good physical health, and the two often go hand-in-hand.
Taking care of your mental health should be a top priority and not something to do only if you are struggling, or feeling low, anxious, or stressed. It’s an investment in our welfare and happiness, just like our physical health.
How do we cope with loneliness?
This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is loneliness. Did you know that one in four adults feel lonely some or all of the time?
There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to tackling loneliness – we are all very different as people, so loneliness can affect us in many ways and at different times in life. However, the longer we feel lonely, the more at risk we are of experiencing mental health problems. Some people are also at a higher risk of feeling lonely than others.
Top tips for tackling loneliness
Dealing with loneliness can be difficult. It can make you feel isolated and alone from everyone else, making it harder to reach out for help. However, there are some tips you can follow to help you tackle feelings of loneliness and prevent any negative feelings or mental health problems that may develop.
Some actions you can take to reduce your feelings of loneliness include:
- Take part in enjoyable activities or hobbies that will keep you busy - scroll down for the free activities we have on offer in our neighbourhood!
- Try to do things that stimulate your mind
- Try out some physical activity or a sport
- Engage with the people you meet in your day-to-day life
- Interact with others who have similar passions or interests – the people that ‘get’ you!
- Spend some time with your pets
- Try to use social media in a healthy and positive way, instead of comparing yourself to others
- Consider using talking therapies to talk about your feelings of loneliness
Coin Street activities available
Connection with others and community is fundamental to wellbeing and tackling loneliness. We are proud to provide spaces for connection within our community through many, varied sessions.
Our wonderful Family Support team provide spaces for families to connect with one another and find support from professionals. Take a look at their sessions available here.
Coin Street turned me into a confident mummy. Postnatal depression nearly killed me twice. Each time, they got me through it. I’ll never forget what Coin Street has done for me.
Stephanie, local parent, and family support participant
Youth and Community sessions
Our youth and community programs create a space for learning new skills and enjoying the company of others. We have a fantastic team of session leaders providing everything from dance to art and singing. Take a look at the sessions available here.
We are excited to have just launched a new series of wellbeing workshops in partnership with Archbishop's Park Community Trust, called 'Herbs, Flowers, Teas and Treats'. The sessions involve a stroll around the gardens and creative workshops for older members of our community.
Our Gentle Gardeners
Get involved – if you're local and looking for a space where you can connect with others in free, friendly, creative sessions, do reach out. We'd love to see you there!
When I come here, I feel like I'm going home to my family.
Community Singing group member
