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
12pm-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 and we’re also running a 10-week Mindfulness and Creative Expression course on Thursdays. 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.

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. We’re running two 6-week courses on Wednesdays: a Beginners class at 10am-11am, or a Regulars class at 11.15am-12.15pm (for people who have already joined this class before and wish to continue with their Qigong practice) until 24 May. From 7 April, only one class for all abilities on Wednesdays at 10am-11am.

APRIL

Yoga for Coming Out Of Lockdown – This 6-week yoga course will help to calm your nervous system and centre your emotions when coming out of lockdown. Starts on Friday 16 April, 3-4pm. Download poster for full info.

Mindful Movements – Through this 4-week course, you will learn and experience how mindful movement and various forms of meditation can help you to release negative emotions and thoughts as well as cultivate positive emotions and thoughts of gratitude, joy, peace, abundance, acceptance and compassion. Starts on Tuesday 13 April, 3-4pm. Download poster for full info.

MAY

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 8 walkers are allowed (+ 2 walk leaders). You’ll need to pre-book to attend on the YMCA East Surrey website. Download poster. Restarting on 6 May 2021.

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 Theatre on Church Street 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.

ONLINE WELLBEING GROUPS AND COURSES

ONGOING

First Steps for New Clients – In this workshop for newclients, we will introduceyou to the Recovery Star, a tool which looks at how different areas of your life can impact your wellbeing. We use the Recovery Star to help us create a picture of your current wellbeing and to build a plan to best support you. We’ll get you thinking about the areas in your life you would like to improve and the small steps you could take to achieve this. On 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month, starting 27 April, 12pm-1.30pm.

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.

APRIL

Building Emotional Resilience – Taking steps to look after your wellbeing can help you deal with pressure and reduce the impact that stress has on your life. This is sometimes called developing emotional resilience – the ability to cope and bounce back when facing challenging times. From 31 March, 7pm-9pm. THIS IS NOW FULLY BOOKED.

Stepping Out and Moving On (Post Lockdown) – A 4-week course aimed at supporting you as we transition from lockdown to whatever our world will be looking like beyond. The course will focus on helping you to adjust your lifestyle and regain confidence in order to support your physical and emotional wellbeing. From Tuesday 6 April until 27 April 2021, 2pm-3.30pm

MAY

Finding Your Balance and Flow – A 3-week course that will help you to adjust to life with hope, as we move out of multiple lockdowns. This course will help you to connect to yourself and your energy through the flow of the seasons and cycles of life; find emotional balance, peace and wellbeing on your doorstep and within yourself, as well as find new perspectives, ways of thinking and being, and ideas to honour the movement of the seasons and cycles. On Wednesday 12 & 26 May, 2 June 2021, 11.30am to 1pm.

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. The first sessions on 8, 15 Dec and 5, 12 Jan, 6pm-7pm will focus on Zentangle, an easy-to-learn, fun and mindful way to draw beautiful patterns. Materials can be supplied but please book in early so they arrive in time! Download poster for more info. Also check out Mindfulness and Creative Expression course for young people below starting on 25 March.

Mindfulness and Creative Expression (part of our Young People programme), a 10-week course for young people aged 16-25. Each week, we’ll combine simple mindfulness practices with creative activities to help you understand and respond to your thoughts and emotions. It runs on Thursdays, 6pm-7pm from 25 March to 27 May on Zoom with Amanda and Taryn.  Download poster for full details.

Relaxing into Clay Work – join this 4-week course, led by Taryn, to learn the immersive and relaxing art of working with clay. The course is suitable for beginners and upwards, giving you an introduction to basic pottery and modelling using your hands with clay. There are 2 courses to choose from (both on Zoom): morning course: starting Thursday 8 April, 11am-12pm OR evening course: starting Friday 9 April, 6pm-7pm. Download poster for full info.

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.

The Wellbeing Hour – 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 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 and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can but this might be a bit delayed.

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 O’Malley: 07868 203512 or johnomalley@maryfrancestrust.org.uk

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

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

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

Anna Silver: 07432 510493 or Anna@maryfrancestrust.org.uk