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:

— Thursday, 16/01/2025, 2pm – 4pm, Delacey House, Kirkstall —

— Wednesday, 12/02/2025, 6pm – 8pm, Online via Zoom —

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: Autism and Me 

This course has been designed with and for anyone who identifies as autistic (diagnosed, self identifying, or questioning) and also experiences mental health difficulties. 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:

• Emotional Processing and Regulation
• The Weight of Masking
• Burnout and Exhaustion
• Self Advocacy and Communication

Mondays, 17th February – 17th March, 5pm-7pm, Clarence House, Horsforth  

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

Managing Anxiety

It is an opportunity to explore your experience of anxiety, recognising and challenging unhelpful thoughts, and finding ways of coping and looking after yourself. 

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 

A previous group member said – “Stuff that was being shared in the group I was starting to use in everyday life, so if I noticed a flare up in panic, I could tell myself to slow my breathing down … I recently got a new job as well and I think I wouldn’t have had the confidence going for that before going to the groups.” 

— Mondays, 03/02/2025 – 03/03/2025, 2pm – 4pm, Clarence House, Horsforth—

— Tuesdays, 25/02/2025 – 25/03/2025, 6pm – 8pm, St George’s Centre, Leeds City Centre—

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

Managing My Mental Health Course 

Develop your understanding of mental health, what affects it and how you can build and maintain it. Look at how your relationship with yourself and others can impact on your mental health, and how you can develop strategies to look after yourself. 

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: 

• Relationship with myself and others  

• Coping with stress  

• Managing change  

• Putting together a wellness action plan 

— Tuesdays, 11/02/2025 – 25/03/2025, 2pm – 4pm, MESMAC building, Leeds City Centre—

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

— Thursdays, 13/02/2025 – 27/03/2025, 6pm – 8pm, 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: Autism and Anxiety

This 5 week 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.

It is an opportunity to explore your experience of anxiety, recognising and challenging unhelpful thoughts, and finding ways of coping and looking after yourself.

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, 6th January – 3rd February, 4:30pm-6:30pm, St George’s

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

Open Minds: Identity and My Mental Health

This course was designed with and for LGBTQIA+ people to give you the opportunity to:

• Meet people with similar experiences
• Explore how identity relates to mental health
• Explore stigma and discrimination
• Learn ways to look after and celebrate yourself

— Mondays 18/11/24 – 16/12/24, 1:00pm-3:00pm, online via Zoom —

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

Workshops

Understanding Self-Harm: Communication & Compassion (for front line staff working within Criminal Justice)

This free workshop has been developed with personal experiences of self-harm at its core, using feedback from people who self harm/have self-harmed and front line staff who work with them.

An session that is 3 hours long and will be a safe, supportive opportunity to look at the following:

• Support approaches
• Harm minimisation
• Exploring alternatives
• My whole Self
• Helpful responses to self-harm
• Honest conversations in practice
• Voices of lived experience

— Tuesday 17th December, 1.30pm – 4.30pm, Clarence House in  Horsforth —

— Tuesday 21st January, 9:30am – 12:30pm, on Zoom —

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

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

— Wednesdays 05/03/2025, 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

Description coming soon.

— Monday 10/03/2025, 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 Workshops 

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

— Autism and ADHD – Saturday 21/12/24 1pm-3pm St George’s Centre, Leeds City Centre —

To book your place fill in this form, use the QR code, 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.

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.

— Mondays, 13/01/2025 – 31/03/2025, 1pm – 3pm, Delacey House, Kirkstall—

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

COMING SOON……….

• Living with Pain Support Group
• Cultural Diversity Support Group

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