Skip to main content

Peer Support

Struggling with life or your mental health?

Feel like nobody understands?

Want to learn ways to manage the stresses in your life?

 

Our peer-led skills and support groups might help. We understand because we’ve been there.

We are pleased to offer groups both in-person and online. Please see below for our current programme of courses, workshops and groups.

To book, please complete this short form. Please note, your place is not guaranteed until you receive confirmation from us.

For further information, please call us on 0113 305 5800 (Leeds Mind reception) or email us on peersupport@leedsmind.org.uk.

Places are limited so booking is essential.

Contact Peer Support

0113 305 5800 (Leeds Mind reception)

Feedback on our groups includes:

“Although we are apart we can still support each other and are together online”

“It’s easy to get stuck inside your own head in isolation so good to get input from others and get ideas and reminders about how to look after our wellbeing.”

“It is possible to connect and get support online and I can meet new people online and face anxiety and it’s ok. It’s not as bad as I think it will be.”

“I have learned how to look after myself when shielding from Covid-19. I have enjoyed being around others and learned from their experience.”

“An awkward new format was made less awkward by great facilitating.”

Introduction to 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 (for LGBTQIA+ people only)

 

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.

The 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.

–Mondays, 1:00pm-3:00pm from 26/02/24 to 25/03/24 at Age UK in Leeds City Centre–

To book your place please fill in this short form 

Workshops

  • More workshops tbc.

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)

 

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.

Next Date tbc

 

*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.

Projects and Partnerships

THRU - A Leeds Mind Service

THRU

The THRU project (Talk, Help, Relate, Understand) offers Peer Support for young people aged between 14 and 25.

Recovery Centre Peer Support

Delivering Peer Support within NHS Rehabilitation & Recovery services. Delivered in partnership with Community Links and Touchstone.

For more information please visit the Leeds and York NHS Foundation Trust website or contact the Peer Support team.

Culturally Diverse Minds

Support for young people, aged 16 to 25, from culturally diverse communities who feel that their mental health could be affected by experiences relating to their ethnic background (this could be due to identity, place, discrimination or racism).

Suicide Bereavement Services

Compassionate support for anyone affected by suicide across Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Kirklees and Wakefield. Please visit www.leedsmind.org.uk/suicide-bereavement-services for more information.

CMHT Peer Support

Delivering support for people who currently access one of the Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) in Leeds.

For more information please click here.

Youth in Mind

Support for young people aged 10* to 25 who have had very difficult, frightening or upsetting experiences or trauma.

*from school year 6