Active Minds

• Get 1:1 support to take up a new activity or re-ignite an old interest
• Get advice on healthy living and improve your physical and mental well being
• Join in on some of the groups we run
• Get involved in your local community

Active Minds is focused on reducing social isolation by enabling people to take part in leisure, sports and social activities. We work with local communities to create more opportunities for people experiencing mental distress.

Active Minds is part of Moving People, a national anti-discrimination project led by Mind, Rethink, Mental Health Media, and the Institute of Psychiatry, which aims to reduce stigma and discrimination and improve the physical and mental well being of those who have experienced mental distress.

Healthy Living

Physical and mental wellbeing are intertwined, a healthy mind needs a healthy body and a healthy body needs a healthy mind.

Active Minds can encourage you to look after your wellbeing by supporting you to become more physically active and develop your knowledge on healthy living issues, like the importance of nutrition, sleep, relaxation and leisure time.

How does it work?

One to One Support

• You will be offered an initial meeting, this is an opportunity for you to discuss your interests, and explore the different options available.

• Active Minds will help you to obtain information on whatever your interest is, and we will offer support and guidance so that you can start taking part.

• You will be offered up to six sessions to help you to develop your confidence and motivation to continue independently.

Buddying Support

As Active Minds grows we will be able to introduce people with the same interests so people can attend activities together.

Groups

Active Minds currently run a number of groups, and hope to develop some more based on your interests! Current groups are:

Boxercise

A weekly two-hour exercise session for 10 weeks at Duke McKenzie's fitness academy in West Croydon.

• Each session involves a structured programme of boxing training and circuit work, covering aspects of boxing techniques and fitness training. (The programme is non-contact, with people only hitting bags or pads).

• Helps to improve your physical fitness

• Builds your confidence and self-esteem

• Meet new people

"Before I started the Boxercise programme I was suffering from agoraphobia, low self-esteem and depression, I wasn't working or leaving my house other than to attend medical appointments. I can honestly say that the Boxercise programme, coupled with the support and encouragement of all involved has had a major impact in helping me regain ownership of my own life. I feel much fitter, more confident, am eating and sleeping better and I have even started permitted work which is a major step forward in my continued recovery. I will also be joining Dukes gym and continuing with the Boxercise. I really cannot stress enough the positive impact the Boxercise programme has had and I hope many more people will benefit from future sessions."

Gym/Swim

A weekly session at New Addington gym:

• Use either the gym facilities or the pool.

• Make some new friends.

• Go to the local café and relax after your workout.

Sailing

Mind in Croydon are now in our 5th year of working with the London Sailing Project to provide sailing opportunities for people with mental health problems.

• Each year we organise three trips for either two or four days each.

• We use the London Sailing Project yacht Helen Mary R.

• Seven service users on each trip, plus 1:1 support.

• Everybody on board expected to take as full a part in the sailing and domestic tasks as they are able, including cooking, washing up, steering, handling the sails, and if they want to, the navigation.

The trips are suitable for adventurous beginners. You don't need to be an athlete, but you do need to be able to move safely around the boat, and get on and off in order to get ashore. Our aim is that everybody will come back feeling that they have had a fun holiday, but also that you have been challenged and have achieved something worthwhile.

"It's been great to do something that's so different from my normal life. I would never have thought that I would experience something like this. I really enjoyed mixing, as a normal person, with the other people on the boat."

Plot 26 - (Our Horticulture Project)

• Based at our Allotment in South Croydon.

• Learn about growing various types of fruit, vegetables and flowers for two mornings or afternoons a week, with a small group in a friendly and relaxed environment.

• The Allotment aims to give you the experience of growing your own food while increasing your gardening knowledge.

• Working in the Allotment can act as a stepping stone to work, through building confidence and experience, or simply a way to start a hobby or nurture an existing interest in gardening or horticulture.

• Working outdoors has a proven uplifting effect on your mood (especially when the sun is shining!).

http://www.plot26.org.uk/

How to access Active Minds

If you are interested in accessing the service please complete a referral from (available here)- (hyperlink) or contact a member of the team.

There are 2 parts to the referral form:

1) The first part should be completed by a health care professional (e.g. GP, CPN, support worker), any CPA and/or risk assessments attached. Please indicate which service you are interested in.

Please click here to download a referral form.

2) The second part should be completed by the applicant.

Please click here to download an application form.

More info

Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about the service. Contact:

Chloe Gay
Dora Crook

Active Minds,
Orchard House,
15A, Purley Road,
South Croydon
CR2 6EZ

Tel: 020 8253 8205/6 Email: activeminds@mindincroydon.org.uk

To download our leaflet please click here.