Yesterday, to mark World Mental Health Day, the Barnet Wellbeing Service hosted our quarterly Hub Connections event! It was a lovely day, filled with important conversations, bringing together community members, healthcare professionals, and inspiring speakers to focus on the significance of prioritising mental health in the workplace.

Talks, Performances, and a Bit of Movement

The day’s schedule was jam-packed with engaging talks, with speakers including Deputy Mayor Cllr Danny Rich, Adam Wilson from Barnet Friends, Farida Stanikzai from New Citizens Gateway, and Michelle Morais from the Network. We were also treated to some wonderful wellbeing activities and performances! Anahita impressed us with a beautiful Iranian dance, and Annalisa Cellini got everyone moving with an energising fitness and mobility session.

Showcasing the Local Support

On top of all of this, we were fortunate to have a variety of stallholders from local organisations committed to supporting mental health and wellbeing. Among them were the North London Mental Health Partnership, Barnet Mencap, Change Grow Live, the Primary Care Group, Young People Thrive, and New Citizens Gateway.

A Conversation with Andy’s Man Club

One of our Marketing and Communications Officers, Liv from CB Plus, had the chance to chat with some of the stallholders from Andy’s Man Club, a men’s suicide prevention charity that offers free peer-to-peer support groups across the UK. During their conversation, they spoke about the crucial role of connection and friendship in supporting those struggling with their mental health. Furthermore, they highlighted that every week, someone new attends their sessions looking for support. It was promising to hear that new attendees often leave these sessions feeling more hopeful and positive.

A Personal Story That Stood Out

One of the men shared his personal story, revealing how he found Andy’s Man Club through the Barnet Wellbeing Service when he was at his lowest point. Since then, he’s been attending the groups every Monday for two years and expressed his gratitude for the support, and the difference it has made in his life. Hearing these stories was a great reminder of the importance of open conversations, especially on a day dedicated to raising awareness like World Mental Health Day.

Wrapping Up The Day

After a day filled with engaging activities and insightful talks, everything was wrapped up with a delicious light lunch of sandwiches, and an opportunity for everyone to catch up and network. It was lovely to see people connecting, chatting, and finding support from the various stallholders present. 

We’re thrilled that this Hub Connections event was such a success and want to extend a big thanks to all of the staff at Barnet Wellbeing and CB Plus who helped make it all possible. It’s a privilege to work alongside so many fantastic services and caring individuals in our community.

But that’s not all! We have another exciting event coming up in just a couple of weeks, focusing on breast cancer awareness. This event will bring the community together for a day of learning about breast cancer screening and exploring the support services available in our borough. If you couldn’t make it to this Hub Connections event, be sure to join us for what promises to be another valuable and engaging event!

Make sure to register for your free ticket here, or click the button below.