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Our Activities, Courses and Groups
We’re slowly restarting our face-to-face activities as well as continuing to deliver online activities, groups and courses on Zoom.
If taking part in a face-to-face activity, please read our COVID safety guidelines before attending.
If taking part in an online activity, please read our online participation guidelines before attending.
Visit our Calendar page to see what’s on
For instructions on how to book your place on any of the activities listed below, scroll down to the bottom of the page 👇
Courses description
PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
Online Coffee Morning – running every weekday (except Wednesdays) at 10.30am to give you a chance to still connect with others, in a safe and fun environment. View our poster.
Face-to-Face Coffee Morning, Leatherhead – the same as our online version but face-to-face! Starting 26 October at Leatherhead Methodist Church, 10am-11.30am. View our poster.
Face-to-Face Peer Support Group, Epsom – 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, 11.00am-2pm from 15 October at the Brickfield Centre, Epsom. View our poster.
Online 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 Wednesday 10.30am – 11.30am..
Online 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.
Online 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. Please note the 2 September session has been moved to 23 September.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
Online Yoga for all abilities – running on Thursdays, 1pm-2pm. New joiners need to complete a medical form.
Online 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 Thursdays, 6pm-6.40pm.
Online 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! New joiners need to complete a medical form. Run on Tuesdays, 11am-12pm. Download poster.
Wellbeing Walk, Epsom Downs – join our gentle 60-minute walk in the Epsom Downs. Meeting outside Beefeater in Tattenham Corner at 11am every Thursday (rain or shine). No need to book, just turn up. Please note that for World Mental Health Day, we’ve organised an extended walk (2.5 hours) to the carved benches in the Centenary Woods in Langley Vale on Thursday 14 October. Download poster for more info.
Wellbeing Walk, Leatherhead – join our gentle 45-minute walk for health in Leatherhead. We will meet outside the Leatherhead Leisure Centre every Tuesday, 1pm-1.45pm (rain or shine). No need to book, just turn up.
Wellbeing Walk, Walton-on-Thames – join our gentle 60-minute walk for health in Walton. We meet every Thursday (rain or shine), 1pm-2pm, outside the Wilde Brunch Cafe by Walton Bridge Carpark. No need to book, just turn up.
Football Training, Leatherhead – come and join us whether you’re an experienced player or not! Every Friday (excluding bank holidays), 1pm-2pm, at Leatherhead Leisure Centre, The Mole Barn. We ask for a £2 donation towards pitch hire, please pay the coach, not the reception. You will need to register your place with us for this activity as we can only allow 10 people to participate. No session at the Mole Barn on 22 October as we’re playing a league event
in Walton.WELLBEING GROUPS AND COURSES
ONGOING
Online 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 Mondays at 12pm-12.40pm and Fridays at 2.15pm-3pm.
Online Stress Matters – 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.
Online 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. On Fridays, 10am-11am
OCTOBER
Face-to-Face Wellbeing Info & Advice Drop-in, Leatherhead – If you are looking for support with your mental wellbeing, need some advice on housing or benefits or other, join our fortnightly drop-in session on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month from 13 October, offering info and advice on a one-to-one basis. From 9am-12pm at the Mole Valley Skills and Employment Hub based in the Swan Shopping Centre, Leatherhead. View our poster.
Face-to-Face Meditation With Sound Healing, Epsom – Crystal singing bowls produce tones that resonate deep within the body and can help you to achieve deep relaxation, purification, peace and reduced stress. Our 4-week course starts on Friday 29 October, 12.00-13.30pm at the Brickfield Centre, Epsom
NOVEMBER
Online Assertiveness and Learning to Say No – A 5-week participative programme exploring the aims of assertiveness, showing how simple assertive techniques can help you to be more effective both in the work and home environment. Learning to stand up for yourself without being aggressive, developing the confidence to express needs and opinions using appropriate behaviour. Running on Tuesdays from 2 November, 2pm-4pm. Please note this course is delivered online by WEA. When you book your place with us, we’ll also ask you to book your place with WEA and we can guide you through this when you contact us.
Online Building Emotional Resilience – This 5-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. Running on Thursdays from 4 November, 7pm-9pm. Please note this course is delivered online by WEA. When you book your place with us, we’ll also ask you to book your place with WEA and we can guide you through this when you contact us.
Online and Face-to-Face Connect – Managing Anxiety and Peer Support Group – This course for 16-25-year-olds will provide support and advice for managing anxiety. From social anxiety to managing mental health in the workplace/education, the course will support you to develop your confidence and resilience. Starting on Zoom for the first 4 weeks from Wednesday 17 November, 7pm-8.30pm. Then the group will continue meeting weekly as a peer support and social group at the Phoenix Youth Centre, Preston Manor Road, Epsom, Tadworth KT20 5LG.
ART & CRAFTS ACTIVITIES
Online Creative Writing – Michele will run creative writing for us, designed to support your mental health and emotional wellbeing and let your voice be heard. On Tuesdays, 2pm-3pm.
Online 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.
Face-to-Face Women’s Craft & Sewing Group, Epsom – learn to sew, socialise with other women as well as learn how to manage your emotional wellbeing. To attend you will need to book a place by the Monday each week by texting Parvin on 07380 857701. Every Wednesday, 10am-12pm from 20 October at King’s Church (term-time only). View our poster for full details.
Face-to-Face Autumn Art, Leatherhead – Join us for this 4-week Arts & Crafts course inspired by the colours and textures of Autumn. Starting on Wednesday 27 October, 2pm-4pm at the Leatherhead Institute. View our poster.
Face-to-Face Arts & Crafts, Banstead – This ongoing art group will teach you new creative skills as well as help you relieve stress, meet new people and boost your confidence and self-esteem. Every Tuesday from 19 October, 2pm-3pm at Banstead Youth Centre. View our poster.
Face-to-Face Seasonal Art, Epsom – This 4-week course will help you relieve stress, meet new people and boost your confidence and self-esteem. Please note, as this course is being run by WEA, you will also need to enrol with them to attend. We will talk to you about how to do this when you contact us to reserve your space, and if you have any issues with the enrolment, we will be holding a session on 11 November from 12pm to 1pm to help people complete the registration. From Thursday 18 November, 11.30am -1.30pm at the Brickfield Centre, Portland Place, Epsom, KT17 1DL
Online 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. Current activity: Kumihimo bracelet making.
INTEREST GROUPS
Online 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. Please note there will be no session on Bank Holiday Monday 30 August.
Online 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.
Online “Singing in Mind” Choir – The choir session lasts 45 minutes and requires no experience. And don’t worry, your voice won’t be heard on its own! But you will be able to hear your Choir Leader. This is an 8-week course from Wednesday 27 Oct to 15 December, 2pm-2.45pm on Zoom.
How can I take part in any of the above activities?
- All our activities are free.
- You need to be a Surrey resident above the age of 16 to be able to access our services.
- To take part in any activity, you need to register with us first. Please 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 can book yourself onto any activity, face-to-face or online, by contacting our office at info@maryfrancestrust.org.uk or call 01372 375400 or text 07929 024722 (SMS service only).
- If taking part in a face-to-face activity, please read our face-to-face participation guidelines before attending the activity.
- If taking part in an online activity, 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 if you’re unsure how to do so. You will receive a link and password from our Admin team by email to click on at the time the group is due to start – it’s that easy!
- Remember that our online activities are always 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 in our online activity, 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.
Contact us
Mary Frances Trust’s main office: 01372 375400. Please note that it may go 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, 9am-4pm).
You can also text us on 07929 024722 but this is only a SMS service, you cannot call this number. Or email us at info@maryfrancestrust.org.uk
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.
Parvin (Epsom & Ewell, Banstead Co-Ordinator): 07380 857701 or Parvin@maryfrancestrust.org.uk
Lenny (Wellbeing Advice and Information): 07929 024724 or Lenny@maryfrancestrust.org.uk
Ruby (Mole Valley Co-Ordinator): 07414 530043 or ruby@maryfrancestrust.org.uk
Joe (Elmbridge Co-Ordinator): 07961 478625 or joe@maryfrancestrust.org.uk
