Tackling mental health stigma with Mental Health Awareness Week

Published: 28 April 2023  

Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place from Monday 15 – Saturday 20 May and this year’s theme is anxiety. Whilst anxiety is a normal emotion within many of us, for some it can become out of control and feel unmanageable.  

Self-care is so important for anxiety, and this can take many forms. From looking after your physical health, to practicing breathing techniques and receiving peer support from people who have had similar experiences.  

For this year's Mental Health Awareness Week, our aim is to increase people's awareness and understanding of anxiety and how it affects people differently. To do this, we have a catalogue of events taking place across Speke and Garston, that you can get involved with and try something new.  

Monday 15 May  

Yoga @ Dutch Barn 

If you haven’t visited Dutch Barn in Garston before, it’s otherwise known as ‘the barn of calm’. It’s a cosy, warm building surrounded by nature and here we’re hosting a relaxing yoga session from 10.15am - 11am. 

You’ll find Dutch Barn on Highbank Drive, Garston, Liverpool, L19 5PE.  

Tuesday 16 May 

Knit and natter @ The Market Place Social  

Our community space, The Market Place Social in Parklands, Speke (entrance is through The Market Place) is open three days a week for you to pop in, relax and take part in a variety of activities.  

The space is home to our knit and natter group from 10am - 12pm. Novice and ninja-level knitters are welcome! 

Relaxation session @ Dutch Barn 

Promoting gentle movement and mindfulness, come along to the relaxation session at Dutch Barn. The one-hour session will run from 10.30am-11.30am.   

Hourly anxiety management workshop @ Reach 

We'll be joined by Evolving Mindset, who are trained mental health nurses, to explore how mental health manifests as learn how to spot the signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety. The hour-long workshop will also explain how to manage stress and anxiety with effective coping mechanisms. 

There will be three sessions hosted on Tuesday 16 May between 1pm and 4pm.  

Wednesday 17 May 

Gardening skills @ Grow Speke 

If you’re green-fingered or fancy learning a new skill, come along to our community garden, Grow Speke between 10am and 12 noon. Led by our friends at Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside and our wonderful volunteers, this is your chance to learn more about the site and give digging, planting and pruning a go! 

Glass painting @ Dutch Barn 

Our craft workshops continue at Dutch Barn, with glass painting between 1-3pm. It’s a brilliant way to meet new people and try something new. Pop along if you would like to give it a try.  

Men’s wellbeing club @ Austin Rawlinson Lifestyles 

Evolving Mindset’s South Liverpool Men’s Wellbeing Club takes place every Wednesday, 7pm-8pm, at Austin Rawlinson Lifestyles Centre in Speke. Each session allows men of all abilities to get more physically active, talk with others and look after their wellbeing. 

Thursday 18 May 

Boxercise @ Austin Rawlinson Lifestyles 

Our partnership with Mindset Matters is going from strength to strength, with a number of our tenants boxing their way to better physical and mental health. Qualified and experienced trainers run the group and can gear the sessions to your abilities. 

Sessions run on a Thursday morning, 11am-12pm, at Austin Rawlinson Lifestyles in Speke. Turn up and give it a go! 

Singing session @ Dutch Barn 

We’ll be joined by Mersey Wylie, the wonderful choir director for The Choir with No Name. She’s both a full-time vocalist and singing teacher and will be bringing her expertise to Dutch Barn on Thursday 18 May from 2.15pm - 3.15pm.  

Friday 19 May 

Sound bath @ Grow Speke  

Sound baths are a meditative experience for people of all ages to take part in. Hosted at our community garden by Welcentre, the idea is you will be bathed in sound waves, as they have healing properties. The session will include soothing music, healing vibrations from the gong and simple meditation.  

The session will last 45mins from 10am.  

Coffee morning and BBQ @ Grow Speke 

Our regular Friday morning session, coffee and chat will be held at Grow Speke from 11am. We’ll pop the kettle on, whilst you catch up with familiar faces or meet new people.  

Following the session, we’ll be hosting a BBQ for everyone attending the site. Open from 10am till 1pm, there’s lots going on and it’s not to be missed! 

Saturday 20 May 

Boot camp @ Garston Park 

Thanks to funding from Sport England, we have teamed with Our Parks to offer FREE boot camp classes from Garston Park. These sessions will run every week until Saturday 23 September 2023. 

Each exercise can be adjusted to your fitness level and sessions are open to all (including children, who are accompanied by an adult). 

Meeting point: Behind Lifestyles Gym, Garston Park (Long Lane Recreation Ground) 

Book to attend 

If you would like to attend one or a few of the workshops we have planned for Mental Health Awareness Week, please get in touch to book your place. Email getinvolved@southliverpoolhomes.co.uk.  

It doesn’t matter if you haven't tried the activity before or if you’re feeling nervous ahead of attending, let one of our volunteers know and we’ll support you through the workshop.