For many of our Supported Housing customers, getting out and about and meeting up with others can make such a big difference to their mental health and wellbeing.
That’s why we run our Rise Up walking group and Coffee and Culture group.
To find out more, we spoke to the organisers of both groups and some of the customers who take part.
Coffee and Culture group
Karbon Homes Support Worker, Stephen Bell is one of the organisers of the group which run in conjunction with Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums.
“The Coffee and Culture group is a very welcoming group. It gives our supported housing customers the opportunity to meet other like-minded people that enjoy visiting local cultural sites. They can enjoy a coffee and chat afterwards.
“This group helps people to explore and learn about local history, build positive social interactions and chat with others that have similar interests.”
Staff from the Museums and Archives service take the group around different museums, giving guided tours of the exhibitions and the stories behind them.
Service user Rachel has enjoyed being part of the Coffee and Culture Group.
“It was a very friendly atmosphere, lovely people. The museum, and talks by Aileen were very informative and fascinating. There was lots of discussion on the various topics that came up, particularly on our mining heritage and history.
“We were also given the chance to get creative, write and share our responses and connections to the mining art we saw. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.”
Karen, another service user, said “The staff helped me feel relaxed while attending the coffee and culture group.”
Here a list of our upcoming Coffee and Culture group visits:
- Thursday 20 April - Hatton Gallery
- Thursday 4 May - Laing Art Gallery
- Thursday 1 June - Segedunum
- Thursday 6 July - Newcastle Cathedral
- Thursday 3 August - Arbeia Roman Fort in South Shields
- Thursday 7 September - Literary and Philosophical Society
If you’re a Supported Housing customer and would be interested in attending the Coffee and Culture group, please speak to your Support Worker and they'll helped you get signed up.
Rise Up walking group
Now that spring has sprung, there’s no better time to get out and about and enjoy a good walk.
Senior Support Worker, David Scott, who organises the group, really believes in the benefits of a good walk.
“Rise Up has been so good for our service users. A big part of what we do is to try and engage service users in the community with different activities to help them meet new people and reduce isolation.
“The walking group does wonders to improve mental health. When you come out on these walks you really get a feel for what’s around you, you’re breathing in the fresh air and seeing the world around you. It also improves your confidence and self esteem.”
David has been taking part in 100 Miles in March a fundraising challenge from mental health charity Mind to raise money and awareness for better mental health. You can find out more about David’s jaunt’s around the North East here.
Dan, one of our service users who takes part in the walking group has really enjoyed the trips:
“The trip to Hamsterley Forest was marvellous from the beginning right to the end, something that I definitely needed. The walks that we went on were just right and the weather was just… one word… beautiful!”
“It was such a delight to meet the people who joined me including a couple of people who I’ve met in the past. It was great to see them again. This is something that I’ll definitely be putting my name down for again.”
Our upcoming Rise Up walking trips are:
- Friday 31 March - Rising Sun Countryside Park, Benton.
- Friday 28 April - Shibdon Pond and Derwent
- Friday 26 May - Tynemouth coastal walk
If you’re a Supported Housing customer and wish to attend, please email David Scott at david.scott@karbonhomes.co.uk or speak with your Support Worker and they'll help you get signed up.
For many of our Supported Housing customers, getting out and about and meeting up with others can make such a big difference to their mental health and wellbeing.
That’s why we run our Rise Up walking group and Coffee and Culture group.
To find out more, we spoke to the organisers of both groups and some of the customers who take part.
Coffee and Culture group
Karbon Homes Support Worker, Stephen Bell is one of the organisers of the group which run in conjunction with Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums.
“The Coffee and Culture group is a very welcoming group. It gives our supported housing customers the opportunity to meet other like-minded people that enjoy visiting local cultural sites. They can enjoy a coffee and chat afterwards.
“This group helps people to explore and learn about local history, build positive social interactions and chat with others that have similar interests.”
Staff from the Museums and Archives service take the group around different museums, giving guided tours of the exhibitions and the stories behind them.
Service user Rachel has enjoyed being part of the Coffee and Culture Group.
“It was a very friendly atmosphere, lovely people. The museum, and talks by Aileen were very informative and fascinating. There was lots of discussion on the various topics that came up, particularly on our mining heritage and history.
“We were also given the chance to get creative, write and share our responses and connections to the mining art we saw. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.”
Karen, another service user, said “The staff helped me feel relaxed while attending the coffee and culture group.”
Here a list of our upcoming Coffee and Culture group visits:
If you’re a Supported Housing customer and would be interested in attending the Coffee and Culture group, please speak to your Support Worker and they'll helped you get signed up.
Rise Up walking group
Now that spring has sprung, there’s no better time to get out and about and enjoy a good walk.
Senior Support Worker, David Scott, who organises the group, really believes in the benefits of a good walk.
“Rise Up has been so good for our service users. A big part of what we do is to try and engage service users in the community with different activities to help them meet new people and reduce isolation.
“The walking group does wonders to improve mental health. When you come out on these walks you really get a feel for what’s around you, you’re breathing in the fresh air and seeing the world around you. It also improves your confidence and self esteem.”
David has been taking part in 100 Miles in March a fundraising challenge from mental health charity Mind to raise money and awareness for better mental health. You can find out more about David’s jaunt’s around the North East here.
Dan, one of our service users who takes part in the walking group has really enjoyed the trips:
“The trip to Hamsterley Forest was marvellous from the beginning right to the end, something that I definitely needed. The walks that we went on were just right and the weather was just… one word… beautiful!”
“It was such a delight to meet the people who joined me including a couple of people who I’ve met in the past. It was great to see them again. This is something that I’ll definitely be putting my name down for again.”
Our upcoming Rise Up walking trips are:
If you’re a Supported Housing customer and wish to attend, please email David Scott at david.scott@karbonhomes.co.uk or speak with your Support Worker and they'll help you get signed up.
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