Peer Support

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:

• Next dates TBC

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.

Open Minds: Identity and My Mental Health

This course has been designed with and for LGBTQIA+ people for whom identity has an impact. If you are unsure whether this course is suitable for you, please get in touch.

This relatively new course is an opportunity to explore the relationship between your identity and your mental health, challenge stigma and discrimination, and learn ways to look after, speak up for and celebrate yourself. Five sessions including Introduction to Peer Support.

–Thursdays, 2pm-4pm from 18th January ’24 to 15th February ’24 online on Zoom–

To book your place please fill in this short form 

Workshops

• Our seasonal workshops will include a version of Introduction to Peer Support so you will not need to book onto a separate session.

Coping with Winter (for Young People aged 16-25)

Come and join the young people’s peer support service and find out more about how our group workshops run. In this session, we will learn how to combat the effects of the winter months on our mental health.

Reflecting on our triggers and identifying what be aspects of this season can be most challenging for us. Finally coming together to share and build coping strategies that will help us at this time of year. 

Please complete this short form to book on to the workshop.

Thursday 5:00pm to 7:00pm at St Georges Center (Leeds City Centre) on 07/12/23

Coping with Winter (for anyone aged 18+)

In this session, we will learn how to combat the effects of the winter months on our mental health.

Reflecting on our triggers and identifying what aspects of this season can be most challenging for us. Finally coming together to share and build coping strategies that will help us at this time of year. 

Please complete this short form to book on to the workshop.

Thursday 6:00pm to 8:00pm online on Zoom on 14/12/23

Coping With Isolation for Young South Asian Women* (aged 16-25)

This workshop, facilitated by our Culturally Diverse Minds team is aimed at South Asian women* (aged 16-25) who feel that they are isolated due to their mental health. During the workshop you will meet and share with like minded women, discussing:

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

Wednesday 5.30pm to 8:00pm in Harehills (venue to be confirmed) on 24/01/24

Please complete this short form to book on to the workshop.

*anyone who identifies as a woman (including non-binary, trans and gender fluid people) who would benefit from a women-only space

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.

Support Groups

Develop a deeper understanding of your mental health with weekly support for 12 weeks in a safe, supportive environment with others who have been through similar experiences.  Celebrate successes, receive support when things aren’t going so well, share experiences and learn from other people’s coping strategies.

Hearing Voices Support Group

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”.

Fridays, 1:00pm-2:30pm at Touchstone (Haslewood Drive, LS9) from 10/11/23 to 23/02/24

Mixed Support Group

This group is open to anyone aged 18+ and offers the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of your mental health with weekly support, for 12 weeks in a safe, supportive environment with others who have a similar experience.

Share such experiences, learn from other people’s coping strategies, receive support from them and Celebrate successes.

Be reminded that you are not alone.

Mondays, 6:00pm-8:00pm on Zoom from 19/02/24 to 20/05/24 (including 2 public holiday breaks)

Women* Only Support Group –

This group is open to any Women* aged 18+ and offers the opportunity t0 develop a deeper understanding of your mental health with weekly support, for 12 weeks in a safe, supportive environment with others who have a similar experience.

Share such experiences, learn from other people’s coping strategies, receive support from them and Celebrate successes.

Be reminded that you are not alone.

Tuesdays, 10:00am-12:00pm on Zoom from 16/01/24 to 02/04/24

*anyone who identifies as a woman (including non-binary, trans and gender fluid people) who would benefit from a women-only space.

To join any of our support groups, or if you have any questions about them, please call us on 0113 305 5800 (Leeds Mind reception), email us on peersupport@leedsmind.org.uk

Alternatively, you can book your place by filling in this short form

Places are limited so booking is essential.