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:

— Tuesday 29/10/24, 2pm – 4pm in Leeds City Centre (venue 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: 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.” 

— Wednesdays, 13/11/24 – 11/12/24, 2pm – 4pm at De Lacey House in 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 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

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

— Tuesday 19/11/24, 2pm – 4pm in Leeds City Centre (venue tbc) —

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

Open Minds: Introduction to Peer Support

For Autistic people only (diagnosed, self identifying, or questioning)

This workshop is an introduction into how our peer support groups work. You will learn about our model and how our workshops work.

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

— Friday 22/11/24 5pm-7pm, online on Zoom—

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: Autism Exploration Conversations 

These 2-hour facilitated, informal discussions for Autistic people (diagnosed, self identifying, or questioning) about a predetermined topic are an opportunity to share thoughts & experiences around the subject & how it can impact our mental health. This is a supportive environment & an opportunity to meet people with similar experiences.

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

— Self Esteem and Unhelpful Thinking – Wednesday 27/11/24 1pm-3pm, Clarence House, Horsforth —

— Late Diagnosis – Monday 09/12/24, 6pm-8pm, Clarence House, Horsforth —

— Struggles with Communication – Tuesday 17/12/24 1pm-3pm, online on Zoom —

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: 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

—Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria – Saturday 14/12/24 1pm-3pm St George’s Centre, Leeds City Centre —

— 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.

COMING SOON……….

• Living with Pain Support Group
• Cultural Diversity Support Group

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 in East Leeds —

To enquire or book a place in this group please email maria.afzal@leedsmind.org.uk or call Leeds Mind reception on 0113 305 5800