Online Support Groups and Activities

In line with the Government’s advice, we’ve made the difficult decision to suspend our usual face-to-face activities, courses and groups until it is considered safe to provide them again.

In the meantime, we’ve put together a programme of online groups and activities to continue to support your mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Visit our Calendar page to see our Online Activities Calendar

Scroll down past the course descriptions for instructions on how to book your place 👇

Courses description

ONLINE PEER SUPPORT GROUPS

Coffee Morning – running every weekday at 10.30am to give you a chance to still connect with others, in a safe and fun environment. View our poster.

Welcome for New Clients – if you’re new to MFT, join us for a virtual welcome! Our Welcome group is
an informal and light-hearted opportunity to find out more about the support we offer, ask questions and get to know others also starting out with us. Coffee, tea, pets all welcome! Fortnightly from Monday 19 April 2021, from 12pm until 12.45pm.

Peer Support Group – it gives you the chance to catch up with people you have not been able to see, and to share any concerns and support others who may feel the same way. Weekly on Fridays, 11.30am-12.30pm.

Women’s Group – A great opportunity to meet with other women and unwind with others who are experiencing similar things to you. You can pick up hints and tips about how they are coping with isolation and how to support others. Weekly, on Tuesday 11.00-11.45am – please note that the Women’s Group is now a part of the
coffee morning, you will be taken into separate “room” on Zoom by Anna).

Connect! Our Young People Peer Support Group – for people aged 16-25. It’s a safe space for young people to meet, talk about the issues that affect their emotional wellbeing as well as a chance to find out how other young people are dealing with life in lockdown. Activities and discussions for each session are decided by those
attending. Fortnightly on Thursdays, 5.30pm-6.30pm. Please note that this virtual group is currently suspended and will restart when we’re allowed to hold the meetings face-to-face. However our weekly Arts and Crafts sessions for young people called Arts Connect! are still happening on Tuesdays. See our Arts and Craft section below for more details.

LGBTQ+ Peer Support Group – this group is for LGBTQ+ adults aged 18+, living with a mental health condition,
either diagnosed or undiagnosed. Come and share your experiences and identities, support each other in a safe, friendly and confidential space, and reduce loneliness and isolation. This group is facilitated by MFT as well as volunteers from Pride in Surrey. Every third Thursday of the month, 7.30pm-8.30pm.

Bipolar Peer Support Group – this group is for people who have been diagnosed as bipolar to come and share experiences and difficulties, share ideas and coping strategies and support each other in a friendly environment. It runs on the first Thursday of every month, 7pm-8pm.

ONLINE PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

ONGOING

Fitness Session – Michael will run a half-hour fitness session each week, based on light exercise to improve your mood and general fitness level. He will show you exercises that you can practice on your own so that your fitness improves over the coming weeks. Weekly, on Thursdays 1.30pm-2pm.

Zumba – a fun ‘party’ workout that combines Latin and international music with easy to follow dance moves. Designed to improve your cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. Suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. Please wear loose comfortable clothing and suitable footwear (ie trainers or similar). Have a bottle of water to hand. Weekly on Tuesdays, 6.30pm-7pm and on Thursdays, 6pm-6.40pm.

Yoga for All Abilities – Yoga helps to elevate mood and and bring harmony to life, it calms the mind and reduces stress, encourages mental clarity, improves mind-body connection and helps with management of anxiety/depression. This class runs every Thursday, 1pm-2pm by Saara who shares and balances elements of fun, light-heartedness, strength and serenity, whilst encouraging a deeper connection with the self.

Rock Pilates – This weekly session offers the perfect fusion of classical Pilates with a modern edge. Classes provide just the right level of work out using small equipment to either support or challenge the body where necessary, targeting specific muscles to keep you on your toes. All reassuringly wrapped up in the underlying principles of Pilates! Run on Tuesdays, 11am-12pm. Download poster.

Salsacise – a 30-minute easy-to-follow basic steps and simple dance combinations with Salsa, Shimmy’s and Cha Cha Cha’s while enjoying the motivating music. It is suitable for all, just wear loose comfortable clothing and have a bottle of water to hand. The sessions will be run by Jayne who also runs our Zumba. Weekly on Wednesdays, 3pm-3.30pm.

Wellbeing Walk Epsom Downs – join our gentle 45-min walk in the Epsom Downs. Meeting outside Beefeater in Tattenham Corner at 11am every Thursday. Due to social distancing rules, only 12 walkers are allowed (+ 2 walk leaders). You’ll need to pre-book to attend on the YMCA East Surrey website. Download poster. PLEASE NOTE THIS HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED TO 12 PLACES EVERY WEEK.

Wellbeing Walk Leatherhead – join our new walk for health in Leatherhead. Due to social distancing rules, a maximum of 8 people can join (+ 2 walk leaders). We will meet outside the Leatherhead Leisure Centre (Guildford Road) and walkers will be expected to respect social distancing rules throughout the walk. Weekly from Tuesday 4 May 2021, 1pm-1.45pm. To book your place, contact the office on 01372 375400 or at info@maryfrancestrust.org.uk. Only people with pre-booked places will be able to attend.

Qigong – Qigong movements are slow and mindful, and aim to restore the flow of ‘qi/ energy’ that has been negatively affected by stress, ill health or trauma, resulting in greater feelings of wellbeing. The movements can be easily adapted for all ages and levels of fitness, with options to complete them seated if needed. New series of 6 weeks starting on 26 May, 10am-11am for all abilities.

JUNE

Yoga For Positive Energy – Yoga is considered the prominent source for absorbing positive energy by the body and helps in removing the negative energy from your body. When you have positive energy, you feel motivated, you live in the moment, and you enjoy an active life. 6-week course starting Friday 25 June, 3pm-4pm

JULY

Somatic Yoga (evening session) – Somatic practices will soothe the nervous and unravel patterns of holding tension and stress, supporting you to feel at home in your body. They are particularly beneficial for people experiencing stress, anxiety, burnout and/or fatigue conditions. Starting Thursday 1 July until 3 August, 7pm-8.15pm. Download poster for more info.

Somatic Yoga (morning session) – Somatic practices will soothe the nervous and unravel patterns of holding tension and stress, supporting you to feel at home in your body. They are particularly beneficial for people experiencing stress, anxiety, burnout and/or fatigue conditions. Starting Thursday 15 July until 19 August, 11am-12pm. Download poster for more info.

ONLINE WELLBEING GROUPS AND COURSES

ONGOING

Mindful Meditation – Take half an hour away from the stresses of everyday living and develop your mindfulness and meditation skills to help you to manage some of the chaos that seems to be all around us. Weekly on Wednesdays at 2.15pm-3pm. (Please note the Friday weekly session has been replaced by our 8-week Intro To Mindfulness Practice course – see below).

Stress Matters – The last six months have seen our world’s been turned upside down by the impact of Covid-19, resulting in a heightened sense of stress and anxiety for many of us. Join us weekly, as we tackle the effects of stress together to help us in our day- to-day life during these unprecedented times. This is a weekly drop-in session but if you attend, you are required to stay the full hour. Every Thursday, 4pm-5pm.

JUNE

Developing Your Confidence – In this 3-week course, you’ll learn to recognise the things we have achieved however big or small, and how to develop our confidence by reminding ourselves how far we have already come and what we can do when we set our minds to it! Starting Monday 10 May from 1pm-1.45pm. Download poster for more info. PLEASE NOTE THIS HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER 3 WEEKS UNTIL 21 JUNE

Managing Your Money In This Current Time – This 3-week course will help you manage your money better and learn to budget, save and spend well. It will be delivered by Christians Against Poverty (CAP). Starts on Friday 28 May 2021, 12.45pm-1.45pm.

Assertiveness & Handling Difficult Conversations – This 4-week course will help you to understand what assertiveness mean sand how to assert yourself in a range of different personal and work-place situations.
Starting Monday 7 June from 2pm-3.30pm. Download poster for more info.

Building Your Resilience – This 4-week course will explore different techniques you can use to build up your own resilience and ability to look after your wellbeing no matter what life brings. Starting Wednesday 9 June,
7pm-9pm. Download poster for more info.

Improve Your Language, support classes for Non-Native English speakers. In these weekly sessions, you will have the opportunity to develop your English language through speaking, listening, reading and writing. There will also be some dedicated time in each session to discuss how to manage your emotions. Starting Friday 11 June, 10am-11am

JULY

Goal Setting and Decluttering – This 4-week course will help you set up goals to start you on the path of achieving a clutter-free home and/or working environment, where you feel more confident and able to function effectively in your surroundings. Starts on Monday 5 July 2021, 2pm-3.30pm.

Identity Workshop – This 4-week course will help you to unravel what makes us who we are and understand how our identities are shaped. Starts on Tuesday 6 July 2021, 2pm-3.30pm

ONLINE ART & CRAFTS ACTIVITIES

Creative Writing – Michele will run creative writing for us, designed to support your mental health and emotional wellbeing and let your voice be heard. Two sessions available (please only pick one to attend) on Tuesdays, 2pm-3pm or on Thursdays, 6pm-7pm.

Crafts At Home – Taryn will show you how some effective but easy crafts to do at home and to share with others who may be socially isolating with you. They will be using everyday items to create beautiful things. Weekly on Mondays, 2pm-3pm.

Arts Connect! (part of our Young People programme) – an evening arts and crafts weekly class for young people aged 16-25 aimed at boosting young people’s confidence, creativity and wellbeing. Every Tuesday 6pm-7pm. Download poster for more info.

MAY-JUNE

Art Journaling – Join Taryn on this 6-week course and learn to establish your own powerful self-care tool using colour, imagery, patterns and words. Art journaling provides a unique and deeply personal space for expression, self-awareness and helpful reflection. You’ll need to supply your own materials. From Tuesday 18 May, 11am-12pm. Download poster for more info.

Summer Watercolour Painting – Join Taryn on this 4-week course to learn the basics of watercolour painting with a joyful, summery theme. You will be required to purchase your own supplies for this course (approx. £7 in total). Starting Wednesday 19 May until 16 June (no session on 9 June), 6pm-7pm. Download poster for more details.

Zenful Pattern Drawing – Join Taryn for this 4-week drawing course which will introduce you to calming and meditative types of pattern drawing. This course is suitable for all abilities, however you will need to source your own supplies (approx. £5 in total). Starting Friday 21 May until on 18 June (no session on 11 June), 11am-12pm. Download poster for more details.

ONLINE INTEREST GROUPS

Quiz Group – Come and connect and socialise with other quizzers in this light-hearted online General Knowledge Quiz Group – whether it’s showing off your knowledge or learning about new things, it’s a great way to come and make friends and have a laugh whilst doing it! Weekly on Mondays, 1pm-1.45pm.

Book Club – Do you enjoy reading? Then why not attend our new weekly Book Club! A selection of short stories will be nominated and selected each week and discussed at our weekly meetings. We’re running two weekly sessions – you have to pick one of them. On Wednesdays, 4pm – 4.45pm and on Tuesdays, 12.30pm-1.15pm.

Football Talking Group – Our light-hearted group is designed for anyone who has an interest in football, whatever level of the game! As a player, fan, referee or coach. The group will discuss various topics and reflect on clubs previous or current glories, as well as counting down to the new season ahead. Runs on Wednesdays, 1pm – 1.45pm.

Singing in Mind (Choir) – This is a time when we particularly need to look after our wellbeing and it is proven that singing makes you feel great! We are bringing the Choir experience to anyone who wants to sing, laugh and meet new people. The choir session lasts 45 minutes and requires no experience. Don’t worry, your voice won’t be heard on its own! But you will be able to hear your Choir Leader. A new 11-week class is starting on Wednesday 21 April and running until 7 July (no session on 2 June), 2pm-2.45pm.

Radio – we’re working with Surrey Hills Community Radio Station to run our own series of radio shows called The Wellbeing Hour on topics such as anxiety, depression, Covid-19, stress, mental health awareness, etc. We welcome anyone’s help to either take part in the show or suggest ideas of what to cover in the show. If you’d like to take part in this exciting project or just find out more, email Connie at connie@maryfrancestrust.org.uk

How can I take part in any of the above activities?

• All our activities are free.
• To take part you’ll need to be registered with us. If you’re new to us, you can complete our online registration form and we’ll set up an initial appointment over the phone ASAP so we can get to know you and offer the appropriate support.
• Once you’re fully registered, you’ll need an internet connection, a smart phone or tablet (iPad or Android) or a laptop or desktop.
• Then download a free App called Zoom from your smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop. Visit our Instructions page.
• Please note a new Zoom software update is now available. We recommend everyone using our online activities to download it to minimise technical issues. Download Zoom update now
• Then phone the office or contact one of the team to book your place (see list of contacts below).
• Once you are booked on, you will receive a link and password by email to click on at the time the group is due to start – it’s that easy!
• Remember that this is a closed group. For confidentiality and security reasons, please do not share the link and password with anyone. If you know someone who would like to join, ask them to book their place with us or they will be denied access on the day.
• Before you take part, please read our Participations Guidelines to ensure you keep yourself and others safe online and everyone gets the best experience.
• You can choose if you want to be seen or if you just want to speak. Don’t worry if you are not sure how to use Zoom – read our instructions or you can ring us for help.

Contact us

Mary Frances Trust’s main office: 01372 375400. Please note that it will go straight to answerphone, so please leave a voicemail and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can (generally within 24 hours, Monday to Friday).

The phone numbers listed below will be answered during working hours, Monday to Friday from 9am until 4pm.  If you phone outside of these hours, please leave a voicemail and someone will respond as soon as they are able to.

John: 07868 203512 or johnomalley@maryfrancestrust.org.uk

Michael: 07961 487625 or Michael@maryfrancestrust.org.uk 

Parvin: 07380 857701 or Parvin@maryfrancestrust.org.uk 

Lenny: 07929 024724 or Lenny@maryfrancestrust.org.uk

Ruby: 07414 530043 or ruby@maryfrancestrust.org.uk