OsMINDS is a mental wellbeing group with a focus on the interpersonal. The idea occurred while I was facilitating the Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide group in Oswestry, I found there was a lot of social isolation in Oswestry and the surrounding areas, so once I found a free space (I’m unfunded so needed somewhere free which is why I’m so grateful to OsCAH, their support has been invaluable.) Anyway, they let me use their space on Mondays and I set up the group with the idea of focussing on reducing social isolation whilst keeping the focus on mental health rather than just becoming a coffee morning. The idea is people leave more resilient than when they accessed the group. It’s a drop-in, free and friendly.
We welcome anyone interested in mental wellness to come along on Mondays 11-1pm for a confidential peer group discussion on mental wellbeing, plus psychoeducation talks, wellbeing activities, art making, writing, mindfulness, and self-care tips. Those who need extra support are signposted on with their consent and/or offered free therapy (as I run a free therapy scheme too, providing free EMDR psychotherapy and hypnotherapy to anyone who needs/wants it in Oswestry and surrounding areas. I treat a range of issues from smoking to PTSD). You do not need a mental health diagnosis to attend OsMINDS, just an interest in learning more about mental wellness and meeting others who are focussed on improving their mental health. It’s a gym for the mind, only with tea and cake. We have a lot of laughter within the meetings too. We encourage the building of empathy and a non-judgemental environment, so everyone is welcome. We have a range of people from 16 to in their 60’s, all genders too. It’s a great mix of people.