Beyond Barriers CIC

30/06/2025

Sorry it’s been a while… but I bet lots of you can relate to this feeling..

Like many small businesses our director (me) does most of the socials. And as someone with a neurotype that can easily get pulled into scrolling and loses a lot of time, I decided to have a social media detox in January. I deleted my apps, felt a lot more focused, more present at home and work, and so one week turned into many.
But.. the reality is that much community engagement is via the world of social media so I’ve been looking at ways to reintroduce it back without taking over. So as we launch new programmes this summer you’ll start see us back again. Feel free to DM for any info on our therapy, coaching, staff support and room hire, Zoe x

28/05/2025

Perfectly put…

17/03/2025

Meet Zoe, our director and lead psychologist at Beyond Barriers. With 20 years experience in Clinical Psychology within the NHS, Social Care, and Non-profit settings.
Zoe founded Beyond Barriers in 2019 with a vision of something more progressive. Her journey has been dedicated to understanding and healing the effects of adversity and trauma, especially within relationships.

Driven by a passion for inclusive mental health services, Zoe believes in empowering individuals to heal and thrive beyond mental health difficulties. She champions the movement towards trauma-informed communities and advocates for high quality, accessible support for all.

Zoe's approach is deeply rooted in compassion and tailored interventions. Specialising in various therapies including Compassion Focused Therapy, EMDR and body based approaches, she fosters healing within progressive therapeutic relationships. Zoe's expertise extends to group therapy, recognising the power of shared experiences in recovery.

Beyond her clinical practice, Zoe finds fulfilment in supporting teams and organisations through consultation and training. Her commitment to supporting employees and small - medium business workplace wellbeing reflects in her dedication to her role within her community.

Learn more about Zoe's journey
https://www.beyondbarriers.uk/zoe-rivers

25/12/2024

🎄❤️ WELLBEING ADVENT CALENDAR - Day 25 🎄

▶️ Watch this reel https://www.facebook.com/reel/3931626030398047?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V

24/12/2024

🎄🌟 WELLBEING ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY 24 - Embracing Everyday Mindfulness at Christmas 🌟

🎄Christmas is about more than just presents and decorations; it's about connecting with moments that bring us hope ❤️

But with all the changes to our routine, our attention is often pulled away from the things that we would usually be aware of. Like how much we are eating, moving, sleeping or feeling connected to someone or something - all the things that keep us well.

This Christmas🎄 let's grab opportunities to be mindful in everyday ways. Whether that’s focusing our attention while wrapping presents, eating, being creative or even doing the washing up!

As insignificant as all these glimmers of mindfulness might seem, they ask add up to respite from festive overload and bring us a sense of peace and comfort.

We wanted to offer something that was possible for everyone to do so here’s a short exercise called The Visitor for you over Christmas 🎄

🚶 Wishing you all a Christmas Eve filled with peace, and mindful moments. 🎅❤️

🎁

23/12/2024

🎄WELLBEING ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY 23 - Remember ROUTINE 🎄

The idea of routine can sound incredibly dull this time of year can't it.. But getting a balance of some order in between festive changes can be incredible helpful for our emotions and energy levels.
Here's why:

1. Creates Stability
2. Reduces Stress.
3. Supports Boundaries around Self-Care
4. Manages Expectations
5. Maintains a feeling of Balance & Control

Including these elements into your routine, can definitely help you ride the wave of the next few says.

What routine could you include in your days over Christmas? Maybe you could make pledges? Could there be 3 elements of routine in your day for the next 4 days?

It could start with making your bed everyday?
Enjoying the exercise you do on normal days? Even if you're not at home for Christmas, you could still plan in a walk?
Could you make sure some of your personal Christmas traditions figure in the next few days?
Eat the food you usually enjoy in your weekly meals, as well as festive treats?

And maybe most importantly, could you keep the pockets of alone time you need, or connect to people you need to in your routine - regardless of your Christmas plans?

Sometimes it can feel hard to prioritise our own routine over other's plans for us, but remember, while Christmas is a time for celebration, it's equally important to take care of our emotional wellbeing. Drawing on your courage to hold on to a routine that creates stability, self-care, and realistic expectations can go a long way in ensuring a more balanced and healthy Christmas for you.

🎄WELLBEING ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY 23 - Remember ROUTINE 🎄 The idea of routine can sound incredibly dull this time of year can't it.. But getting a balance of…

22/12/2024

🎄WELLBEING ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY 22 - REMEMBERING with love🎄

I imagine many of us will be missing someone this Christmas. They may have been gone for a long time now or it could be one of those early Christmases without them. So it’s likely that this time of year will connect us to some feelings of grief.

We live in a world that tends to push down emotions and sometimes even treat them as problems or illnesses, but grief is one of those times were sadness is not only understandable, but also important because it reminds us of the meaning that someone brought us and the need to heal from that loss.

So the invitation today is to draw on your courage and move towards that grief with the wisdom that you will be able to cope with it. And I want to share a lovely idea for remembering loved ones from our lovely neighbours Full Circle Funerals Partners in Altrincham

Or maybe you want to think about your own meaningful way of remembering loved ones over the next couple of days?

Take care x

21/12/2024

🎄WELLBEING ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY 21 - RESPITE to avoid festive overwhelm 🎄

Hi festive friends. I’m so glad you’re still joining me on our advent wellbeing journey. Given its the 21st December, we felt it was the right time to think about the benefits of respite and revisit some of the things that we’ve talked about this month that can help us manage our nervous system and protect us from festive overwhelm.

Whether you’re feeling disorganised and stressed, organised but spinning plates, or maybe a bit shut down at the moment, take a look at the video today and see if I can persuade you on the volume of finding pockets of respite in our lives.

Carving out 5 minutes to pause, breath and do something that we need allows our minds to unwind, recharge, and regain clarity. Whether it's reading a book, going for a walk, or simply enjoying a cup of tea, these moments of respite can provide a much needed mental break.

📚 Reading a chapter of a book or a magazine.
🌳 Taking a brief mindful walk, soaking in your surroundings
☕ Enjoying the peace of a quiet coffee on your ownsavoring the flavors and the moment.
🧘‍♀️ Practicing meditation or yoga to really soothe your nervous system (up at the top of the ladder we talked about previously)”.
📷 Taking a few photographs, capturing the beauty around us.

Let's try to make space for these moments and reap the benefits they bring into our lives. Once you’ve felt it, you’ll want to prioritise them more and more - and your both and mind will definitely thank you 🙏 ❤️ ✨

20/12/2024

🎄WELLBEING ADVENT CALENDAR - DAY 20 - Finding Hope🎄

Hello everyone. Today you get a break from my face on the screen because today is about quiet reflection. It’s about drawing on the doors we’ve opened together so far, to create a sense of hope.

Feeling hopeful is such a fundamental part of our wellbeing. Sometimes it’s just a state of being, and sometimes we have to really dig deep and do it intentionally.

Finding hope in difficult times can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Here are a few ways to cultivate hope when we are facing adversity:

1. Embrace gratitude: like we talked about, taking a moment to appreciate the positive aspects of your life, no matter how small they may seem. Gratitude shifts your focus, reminding you that there is still goodness and potential for better days ahead.

2. Seek support: Reach out to people who can provide comfort and understanding. Sharing your burdens with someone who gets it can provide a fresh perspective, encouragement, and a reminder that you're not alone in your struggles.

3. Prioritise your basic needs - by doing things that remind you that feelings of joy and peace are possible. Whether it's moving , meditation, or spending time in nature, self-care helps to restore your energy and resilience, allowing hope to flourish.

4. Set realistic goals: Break down your challenges into manageable steps. Accomplishing even small tasks can give us a sense of achievement and progress, fueling your optimism and belief in a brighter future.

5. Find inspiration: maybe inspirational posts or memes, books, podcasts, uplifting music, or inspiring stories of people who have overcome adversity. These sources of inspiration can really reignite your hope and provide the motivation to keep going.

6. Practice mindfulness: Staying present helps you cultivate a sense of acceptance and resilience, allowing you to find hope in the midst of difficulties.

Remember, finding hope is a journey, and it may take time. Be patient with yourself and trust that hope can be found, even in the darkest of times.