What are Free Peer Support Groups?
Free peer support groups are where members of the community come together to share experiences and support one another.
Groups are usually facilitated by one or two people and are made up of individuals who have similar experiences – for example, this could mean experiences of hearing voices and seeing visions, experiences of paranoia or unusual beliefs, or experiences of anxiety.
Peer support groups welcome people whether or not they have a diagnosis of a mental health problem. These groups are open to different ways of seeing and understanding experiences.
Peer support groups are not a kind of therapy. Rather, they are based on a strong ethos of peer support and self-help.
How do I join?
Email us at phoenix@mindincamden.org.uk or call us on 020 7241 8973 to let us know if you're interested in joining a group and when you would like to start. After that, all you need to do is fill out the Adult Self Support Group Referral Form in the bottom tab of this page. Once your referral is completed, we will reach out to you for a quick conversation, after which you will be free to join the groups.
Christmas Period Closure
Please note, there will be no groups running between 22nd of December - 2nd of January.
What does it cost?
All peer support groups are free of charge. We welcome referrals from people looking for a supportive space to discuss their feelings and experiences with peers, no matter where you live.
What's on offer
Days and Times: Tuesdays 3-4 pm and Fridays 11.00 - 12noon (ongoing).
Venue: Barnes House downstairs
About The Group 
This group provides a safe and supportive space for all kinds of people experiencing anxiety. It is an opportunity to share how anxiety affects you and enable you to find ways to manage it through sharing coping strategies with other group members.
Often people find talking to others that have similar lived experiences, comforting and helpful, breaking the sense of isolation that can come with suffering.
People who use Mind in Camden's Anxiety Group may experience anxiety linked to different forms of mental ill health, trauma, or other adverse life events.
About The Facilitators
The facilitators are Danny and Demetris.
Day and Times: Tuesdays 12.00 noon – 1.00 pm (ongoing).
Online group: Wednesdays 12.00 noon – 1.00 pm (ongoing).
About The Group
A a safe haven where people who hear, see or sense things that other people don’t can feel accepted, valued and understood.
Somewhere between 3 and 10% of people hear voices, see visions or have other unusual sensory experiences. Mind in Camden's Hearing Voices Group understands that voice-hearing is not, in itself, an indicator of mental illness - instead it can instead be as a meaningful human experience that has many possible origins.
People who use Mind in Camden's Hearing Voices Groups may hear voices or see visions linked to different forms of mental ill health, trauma, cultural or spiritual experiences, dissociation or adverse life events. Some may view their voices as problematic, whereas others may find them helpful and wish to have somewhere safe and confidential to talk about them. A key aspect of the groups is providing space for people to come to their own conclusions about their experiences, rather than feeling pressured to adopt a particular understanding.
Hearing Voices Groups can help reduce the stigma and isolation often associated with distressing voices/visions, support people in making sense of unusual experiences and help members find ways of coping with them.
Hearing Voices Groups at Mind in Camden are members of the National Hearing Voices Network.
A women-only Hearing Voices Group runs on Fridays at Barnes House. Please see below for more information.
About The Facilitators
The facilitators are Richard, Demetris and Rosy.
Day and Times: Fridays 2.30 pm- 3.30 pm (ongoing).
Venue: Barnes House downstairs
About The Group
A facilitated space for women with shared experiences to come together and support one another. It’s a safe haven where people who hear, see or sense things that other people don’t can feel accepted, valued and understood.
Somewhere between 3 and 10% of people hear voices, see visions or have other unusual sensory experiences. Mind in Camden’s Women’s Hearing Voices Group understands that voice-hearing is not, in itself, an indicator of mental illness. Instead, it can be seen as a meaningful human experience that has many possible origins.
People who use Mind in Camden's Hearing Voices Groups may hear voices or see visions linked to different forms of mental ill health, trauma, cultural or spiritual experiences, dissociation or adverse life events.
Some may view their voices as problematic, whereas others may find them helpful and wish to have somewhere safe and confidential to talk about them. A key aspect of the groups is providing space for people to come to their own conclusions about their experiences, rather than feeling pressured to adopt a particular understanding.
Hearing Voices Groups at Mind in Camden are members of the National Hearing Voices Network.
About The Facilitators
This group is facilitated by Cathy.
Day and Times: Wednesday 5pm-6pm (ongoing).
Venue: Barnes House Meeting Room
About the Group
My Beliefs is a peer support group designed to offer understanding to people experiencing unusual beliefs. We provide a safe space where members can openly share their unique perspectives without judgement. Our group welcomes all to engage in empathetic conversations; by sharing personal experiences, coping strategies, and insights. Our supportive space fosters a sense of belonging and validation, empowering individuals, where members can find comfort knowing they are not alone in their journeys . Together, we foster an environment of shared respect, kindness and shared learning.
About the Facilitators
This group is facilitated by Agnes and Emil.
Day and Times: Mondays 12pm - 1pm (from 08/04/2024)
Venue: Barnes House downstairs
About The Group
At Mind, we believe we should all look out for one another's mental health. Especially when we know that some people deal with higher levels of discrimination and isolation.
The focus of this LGBTQIA+ group at Mind in Camden is to provide a safe and confidential space for members of the LGBTQIA + community in coming together and sharing challenges as well as joyous experiences. Connecting with people who have similar or shared experiences can be helpful in reducing feelings of loneliness and facilitating positive feelings of belonging.
We aim to hold a diverse space in terms of race, gender. age, sexuality, class and neurodiversity.
About The Facilitators
This group is facilitated by Emil and Agnes. Group facilitators are LGBTQIA+ community members.
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