Our Introduction to Peer Support is an opportunity to find out how peer support can help you, and get a taste of the types of activities you can expect in our groups.

All new group members need to attend an Introduction to Peer Support. This is available in the following ways: 

• Each course has an Introduction to Peer Support at the start (dates under ‘Courses’ below) 

• For workshops or groups, please book onto a separate Introduction to Peer Support (dates below) 

• Not sure which option is best for you? Please contact us or book onto an Introduction to Peer Support to get a taste of what we offer. 

To book, please complete this short form. Please note your place is not guaranteed until you receive a booking confirmation from us. You can also book by calling us on 0113 305 5800 (Leeds Mind reception) or emailing peersupport@leedsmind.org.uk.

Before attending, please take a few minutes to download and read the following documents:

1. Guidelines for peer support groups (online guidelines on page 1, general guidelines page 2-3)
2. Peer Support attendance policy
3. Guide to using Zoom for online Peer Support

Introduction to Peer Support dates:

-Thursday, 2pm – 4pm, 24/07/2025, Delacey House, Kirkstall-

-Wednesday, 2pm – 4pm, 06/08/2025, Online via Zoom-

-Monday, 2pm – 4pm, 04/08/2025, Clarence House, Horsforth-

Courses

• If you are a new group member, you need to attend the Introduction to Peer Support in week 1 of the course.
• If you have attended our groups before, you can join the course in either week 1 or week 2.

Autism and Anxiety  

This course has been adapted by and for anyone who identifies as autistic (diagnosed, self-identifying, or questioning)If you are unsure whether this course is suitable for you, please get in touch.

The course begins with Introduction to Peer Support; if you have already attended this, you can join the course at Week 2.

This 5-week course is an opportunity to explore:

• Your experience of anxiety
• Recognising and challenging unhelpful thoughts
• Finding ways of coping and looking after yourself

— Mondays, 01/09/2025 – 29/09/2025, 2pm – 4pm. This group will be run hybrid so you can attend either join online via zoom or in person at Clarence House, Horsforth —

To book your place fill in this form, email peersupport@leedsmind.org.uk or call Leeds Mind reception on 0113 3055800

Building Self-Esteem Course

Explore how you think and feel about yourself and how this affects your life and relationships. Learn to recognise your strengths and resources and use them to build your self-esteem and personal effectiveness.

The course begins with Introduction to Peer Support; if you have already attended this, you can join the course at Week 2.

This 7-week course is an opportunity to explore:

• Building and maintaining self-esteem
• Challenging my inner critic
• Coping with setbacks

— Wednesdays, 13/08/2025 – 24/09/2025, 2pm – 4pm, Online via Zoom —

To book your place fill in this form, email peersupport@leedsmind.org.uk or call Leeds Mind reception on 0113 3055800

Open Minds LGBTQIA+: Identity and My Mental Health

This course was designed with and for LGBTQIA+ people to: meet people with similar experiences; explore how identity relates to mental health; explore stigma and discrimination and learn ways to look after and celebrate myself. Please note, this group is open to anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+ or is questioning their sexual identity and has experience of mental health difficulties.

The course begins with Introduction to Peer Support; if you have already attended this, you can join the course at Week 2.

This five-week course is an opportunity to explore:

· Stigma and Discrimination

· Building Resilience and Setting Boundaries

· Self-advocacy and self-compassion

· Empowerment and Celebrating Me

— Tuesdays, 12/08/2025 – 09/09/2025, 2pm – 4pm, MESMAC Office Leeds Centre —

To book your place fill in this form, email peersupport@leedsmind.org.uk or call Leeds Mind reception on 0113 3055800

Workshops

Coping with Isolation

In this workshop we will look at:

• What is isolation?
• How does feeling isolated affect me?
• Obstacles that may stop us from reaching out
• Being compassionate and coping strategies

— Thursday 14/08/2025, 2pm – 4pm, Delacey House, Kirkstall —

To book your place fill in this form, email peersupport@leedsmind.org.uk or call Leeds Mind reception on 0113 3055800

Exploring Guilt

In this workshop we will look at: 

• What guilt is and where it come from 

• How guilt affects me 

• How I can work towards feelings of self-worth?

— Thursday 21/08/2025, 2pm – 4pm, Delacey House, Kirkstall —

To book your place fill in this form, email peersupport@leedsmind.org.uk or call Leeds Mind reception on 0113 3055800

Coping with Panic

In this workshop we will look at: 

• What is panic and how does it affect me 

• The cycle of panic model 

• What helps me deal with panic 

— Thursday 11/09/2025, 2pm – 4pm, Delacey House, Kirkstall—

To book your place fill in this form, email peersupport@leedsmind.org.uk or call Leeds Mind reception on 0113 3055800

Open Minds: Autism Friendships and Socialising: 

Open Minds Workshops are facilitated, practical sessions where anyone who is autistic (diagnosed, self-identifying, or questioning) who struggles with their mental health is invited to participate in activities to explore and discuss related issues to provide insight and mutual support. 

If you have never attended one of groups before, please book onto an Introduction to Peer Support session first. 

This workshop gives you an opportunity to explore: 

• What does friendship mean to me?  

• When am I comfortable socialising? 

• What are the challenges of friendship and what helps us? 

• How can we protect ourselves building/maintain relationships? 

— Monday 11/08/2025, 2pm – 4pm, Clarence House, Horsforth—

To book your place fill in this form, email peersupport@leedsmind.org.uk or call Leeds Mind reception on 0113 3055800

Open Minds: Autism and ADHD

Open Minds Workshops are facilitated, practical sessions where anyone who is autistic (diagnosed, self-identifying, or questioning) who struggles with their mental health is invited to participate in activities to explore and discuss related issues to provide insight and mutual support. 

If you have never attended one of groups before, please book onto an Introduction to Peer Support session first. 

This workshop gives you an opportunity to explore: 

• Our experience of Autism, ADHD and AuDHD 

• The conflicts and struggles 

• Coping mechanisms 

• Techniques for our wellbeing 

— Monday 18/08/2025, 2pm – 4pm, Clarence House, Horsforth—

To book your place fill in this form, email peersupport@leedsmind.org.uk or call Leeds Mind reception on 0113 3055800

Open Minds: Autism Late Diagnosis

Open Minds Workshops are facilitated, practical sessions where anyone who is autistic (diagnosed, self-identifying, or questioning) who struggles with their mental health is invited to participate in activities to explore and discuss related issues to provide insight and mutual support. 

If you have never attended one of groups before, please book onto an Introduction to Peer Support session first. 

This workshop gives you an opportunity to explore: 

• What does late diagnosis mean to me?  

• How diagnosis has impacted our experience 

• Post traumatic growth and techniques 

• Forgiveness Journey 

— Monday 25/08/2025, 2pm – 4pm, Clarence House, Horsforth—

To book your place fill in this form, email peersupport@leedsmind.org.uk or call Leeds Mind reception on 0113 3055800

COMING SOON……

In future, we will be looking to offer a range of courses and workshops covering different content. This will include topics such as: assertiveness, mindfulness, self-compassion, isolation, confidence, resilience, panic, guilt, wellbeing, forgiveness and boundaries. If you’re interested in attending, please keep an eye on this part of the website or alternatively please contact us and ask to be added to our bulk emailing list where we will notify you of any new workshops and courses released.

Hearing Voices Support Group

*Unfortunately we are not taking referrals at this time. Check back here for updates.

Sharing your experiences can help you to feel more at ease with the voices or unusual experiences you have. Everybody has different beliefs about what their voices or experiences are and where they come from. 

Some people believe that they are a symptom of their mental health, some people believe that they are the voices of spirits or gods; some people believe they are caused by trauma in their life. Whatever your beliefs, accepting your voices and experiences can be the first step in coping with them. We make no claims about what voices are or are not and we offer a space where everybody is respectful of each other’s beliefs. 

In this group, lived experience is valued and people can share and explore their own experiences, and develop personal coping strategies in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment. 

A previous group member said – “Makes me feel like I’m not so alone with my illness, having someone to talk to about similar things that are happening. Helps me understand things better when I hear about other people’s illness”.

To enquire please email peersupport@leedsmind.org.uk or call Leeds Mind reception on 0113 305 5800