Active Minds promotes physical and mental wellbeing by supporting people with experience of a mental health problem to make healthy lifestyle changes to benefit both physical and mental health. We break down the barriers faced when taking part in sport and activities in the local community. We have trained volunteers who can support you to take part in your chosen activity. See session details below.

Please contact us if you would like to become a volunteer. Contact details at end of page.

How to join

To attend the activities you can refer yourself or have a referral from any professional providing support for your health and well-being.

The referral form can be found to the top left of this page.

Session details

We are running the following face-to-face groups:

Tuesdays

Boxercise
11am-12pm
Gentle warm up, boxing style non-combat fitness, then calming meditation to cool down.

Table Tennis
11am-12pm
A fun, friendly group, which also has pool table and badminton set.

Zumba
12pm-1pm
Women only dance-based exercise.

 

Wednesdays

Warm Hub Wellbeing Wednesdays
11am-2pm
Come and join us in a warm and welcoming day of self-care, games and activities. Free hot drink and snacks provided.

Badminton
2pm-3pm
Learn how to play with the fantastic coaches in a fun and friendly group.

Thursdays

Yoga
11am-12.30pm
Breathing exercises and gentle stretches with Su.

Walking Group
2pm-3pm
A gentle stroll around in nature to catch up, connect and enjoy the scenery.

We are also currently delivering the following sessions over ZOOM video calls.

Tuesdays

Yoga
3.15pm-4.45pm
Breathing exercises and gentle stretches with Su.

Thursdays

Relaxation
1pm-1.30pm
Do some movement and breathing exercises, then listen as you are guiding into relaxing each part of your body before imagining you are somewhere super relaxing.

Fridays

Mindfulness
11am-11.40am
Try out breathing exercises and other strategies to use to help ground you and lessen feelings of anxiety.

Social Chat Group
12pm-1pm
Come online and meet other members of Active Minds for a weekly catch up and talk about how you are doing and feedback any new ideas for what we can do.

For details on how to join in please contact the Active Minds team on activeminds@mindincroydon.org.uk or call 0208 253 8205.

 

More information about Active Minds Groups

All of our groups are FREE to attend, you don’t have to pre-book once you’re registered and there’s no pressure to attend every week. There’s also no pressure to take part in the activity if you come along. You can come and have a chat or a look first, with someone for support if you want. If you do join in, you can sit out for a bit at any time and all of the activities are adaptable if you have anything you aren’t able or wanting to do. Our gardening group, for example, often has people coming along to sit on the benches in the sunshine to chat with the other members or myself, or take photos of the butterflies and flowers, while others want to come, dig and be around people, but not talk and that is also ok. Some others want to really push themselves physically and get stuck in- also ok! We take people as they come and all are welcome. It is good just to get out and to the groups to meet people and that’s the main aim, rather than turning us all into bodybuilders! However, the added bonus of our activities is that you do get all the happy hormones and endorphins flowing and do improve your fitness at your own pace too.

Staff are at a lot of the groups along with the coaches and if anyone feels anxious then we are on hand to work through those feelings. Our other members are also very supportive and friendly and help welcome people into our groups. Many of our members have forged friendships through our sessions and swap numbers to meet at other activities in the community, or just to have a chat and socialise. We are here to support you back into activity and you can do as many activities as you like, for as long as you like, online or in-person, we will find a way to help get you involved. A note about our online groups: You don’t have to have your video camera on if this makes you uncomfortable, not even for the social chat group, you don’t even have to talk, you can just listen if that suits you. You don’t have to have any equipment, skill or background in any of the activities either, we welcome anyone with any level of fitness. If you’ve got any other questions about what we do, please do get in touch on activeminds@mindincroydon.org.uk.

 

Waiting Times

There is currently a 3-week wait for referrals to be processed.

Volunteer with Active Minds

Would you like to support people who have experienced mental health problems in accessing their chosen activity? Attend our activities and chat with our members to help support them to make the most of their time at our groups.

If you would like to volunteer with us please click HERE to see current volunteering opportunities.

Feedback

Active Minds has significantly improved my mental and physical wellbeing.I feel energised. My mood has lifted and my motivation has returned

I just wanted to thanks Active Minds as being able to attend a group that was really welcoming and was a safe space with no judgment I finally felt comfortable to start attending these kind of classes again and move my body which is having a positive impact on my mental and physical wellbeing’s, friends have commented they notices a difference in my after just a few weeks, thank you Active Minds.

Contact Details

Telephone: 020 8253 8205

Email: activeminds@mindincroydon.org.uk

Address: Orchard House, 15a Purley Road, South Croydon, CR2 6EZ

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