Group Descriptions
Check out a short description of our groups below! Please note that not all groups run at all our locations and some are season-dependent.
Don't see a group for you? Contact us and let us know what kind of group you would like to see.
Depression and Anxiety Group
Our depression and anxiety support groups have run for over 8 years in many areas of East Kent.
No diagnosis is needed but conversations develop from the check-in at the beginning of the group. There is no pressure to talk when you join the group, just meet other people and be around others- find things in common, learn ways of coping/ managing and have a safe space to vent and offload the stresses of life.
On the Farm
On the Farm is getting out from behind the 4 walls, meeting animals and getting your hands a bit mucky.
Attendees have a plethora of things to see and do at the farm each week. There are goats, horses, donkeys, chickens and a few sweet farm dogs. Many of the animals have been rescued and some have come from abusive homes.
There is an element of animal husbandry in which attendees can take part in the making of enclosures for the different animals.
Walking Group
In spring and summer, we explore our local areas with a group.
With isolation and the stress of illness hanging over us, come on a walk in the outdoors and see the world again.
"I've loved walking every week with the group, I don't normally get out much but they've encouraged me so I do it a bit more now. I'll think about walking during winter too if it's not too chilly".
Online Groups
Join our online groups, facilitated on Zoom so you can take part in talking or activity groups from your home. From Managing Depression to Creative Art, there are a range of groups to choose from. Get in contact to sign up or find out more.
IT Group
Borrow a laptop and we can help you access the internet; online groups; create documents; fill out forms, set up an email address and more. You can also bring your smartphone, tablet or laptop to get help with whatever you're stuck on.
Peer Support Activity
The group decide what activity they would like to do each week. This could include playing board games; chatting; doing crafts or cooking. This is a welcoming and safe space to meet other people and distract from the stresses of life, or chat about it and support each other. This group is currently only available in Dover.
Creative Group
These sessions are not always so much about the activity but more something to look forward to, to get out of bed for and to leave with more confidence and self-worth. They offer a relaxed atmosphere in a safe space where you know you have something in common with others.
The activity is something to base conversation around and can be helpful to those with social anxiety: to be around people without eyes being on you directly.
Activities in the art sessions have included: design tote bags, make keyrings, pottery, collages, painting, cyanotype and more.
Gardening Group
At The Garden in Faversham, attendees have the flexibility to join in with whatever they feel comfortable doing. Learn a new skill or rekindle old ones, share knowledge, socialise, get out of your usual scenery and reduce isolation. There's planting, painting and other activities to take part in, then a lovely seating area where we chat and have breaks, biscuits and tea.
Running from Spring to the end of Summer
Mood Group
The Mood Group (online) is open to those who have a diagnosis (or suggested diagnosis by GP/ waiting for Psychiatrist assessment) of EUPD/BPD and/or Bi-polar. The groups are flexible and we discuss whatever comes up in the check-in. From our experience, the symptoms under these labels are often similar and misdiagnoses frequently take place.
There are also opportunities for facilitators to refer you to other organisations/specialist support if we know about other services in your area. This group has run for over 5 years and is very successful in supporting those with these diagnoses. We know it is difficult to find like-minded people who are open to discussing life's struggles.
Cooking on a budget
The cooking group sessions are about gaining confidence in cooking.
The group will focus on cooking on a budget and we usually plan healthier meals (with a few cheeky dishes thrown in here and there).
Recipes have included: pasties, curries, vegetarian dishes, pasta dishes, chilli, pies and so much more.
PSCG
This is a referral only service for people in crisis or experiencing suicidal ideation. The group aims to provide distraction and peer support for people attending. It is currently run online. The purpose is the provision of support to help people manage their crisis, meet other people and keep themselves well. They can also be shown what other groups or services are available in the community. Running on a Sunday evening, it has been highly successful in helping people in distress to deal with difficult times when many other services are closed.
Please talk to your GP, Psychiatrist or Care Co-ordinator if you wish to engage with this service. To refer someone click here
Activity Group
Our activity group (online) provides service users with a much-needed distraction from their mental health difficulties and gives them an opportunity to participate in a social group which feels safe and secure. It has fast become one of our most popular groups. Activities within the group has included quizzes, guess the theme tune, Pictionary and articulate to name a few.
One service user has even designed his own interactive style quizzes for the group as well as a catchphrase style game which was incredibly popular with the group, providing them with some light-hearted fun without the pressure of feeling they need to talk, especially about their mental health.