West Kent Mind

24/09/2025

✨ A Day of reflection and connection! ✨

What an amazing day! Our Creative Minds artists and facilitators gathered at Stag Sevenoaks for a day bursting with creativity, collaboration, and celebration. 🎨💙🎉

From dancing and storytelling to big conversations about growth and the future, the room was buzzing with talent, inspiration, and hope. 🌟

We left feeling uplifted, energised, and excited for what’s to come! 🙌

Read more about the day and the reflections shared 👉westkentmind.org.uk/evaluation-development

Thanks to all the amazing artists and Creative Minds programme leads that attended. Thanks also to Esther Springett for producing the most wonderful and inspiring illustration.

'Live Illustration by Esther Springett'
Instagram handle: .Sketches
Website: https://www.esthersketches.com

🔹Laura Hollis Ceramics and Silk Painting
🔹Paddock Wood Community Voices
🔹Jennifer Godfrey - Author
🔹Clare Summons Glass Artist
🔹The Amelia
🔹Jane Mucklow Photography
🔹Moving Memory Dance Theatre
🔹Imogen Partridge Illustration and Design
🔹Strangeface Puppets

22/09/2025

💙 Wear It Blue is back on Friday 10 October. There’s still plenty of time to get involved and help us paint West Kent blue for World Mental Health Day. 💙

We’re inviting schools, workplaces and individuals across West Kent to show their support for West Kent Mind by wearing something blue and donating £1. 👖

Your support can make a huge difference to children and adults experiencing mental health problems in our local community.

💙 £10 provides refreshments for one of our support groups – a vital part of the process.
💙 £50 enables us to offer one-to-one support to a young person facing mental health challenges.
💙 £100 buys enough peat-free compost to fill one of the raised beds tended year-round by our Mindful Gardening group.
💙 £300 supplies art resources for a 24-week Creative Minds programme.
💙 £500 opens up a place on our two-month specialist counselling programme for people moving on from domestic abuse.

📅 With just a couple of weeks to go until Wear It Blue, head to the link below to find out how you can get involved.

💙 westkentmind.org.uk/wearitblue

19/09/2025

Feeling overwhelmed or just need a space to talk? 💙

Join our 12-week Life Skills wellbeing group and connect with others who truly understand.

Led by a qualified West Kent Mind Wellbeing Worker, this group offers a safe, compassionate space to explore your thoughts, feelings and emotions. You’ll gain valuable insights into your mental health and wellbeing, and learn practical coping strategies to help build resilience.

✨ Whether you're looking for support or simply want to understand yourself better, this group is here for you.

📅 Thursdays, 10–11.30am, starting Thursday, 25 September
📍 West Kent Mind Wellbeing Centre, Sevenoaks (you may also be able to join online via Teams)
🔷 Limited spaces available - sign up today!

Interested? Visit our website via the link below to sign up:

👉 westkentmind.org.uk/life-skills

17/09/2025

🐾Help us to Lead the Way for Better Mental Health in West Kent! 🐾

Join us for a feel-good dog walk at Bedgebury Pinetum on Saturday 11th October, 4–6pm.

Bring your furry friend and help raise vital funds for West Kent Mind. Entry starts at £10 and we’re asking each dog to aim to raise £50 in sponsorship (with a little help from their humans!).

🦴 Every dog gets a goody bag, thanks to our kind sponsors, and those raising over £25 before the event will receive a special bandana!

🚗 Parking: £4 per car
👉 Sign up online and set up your dog’s JustGiving page today!

🔗 westkentmind.org.uk/lead-the-way-11-october-25

Step out with your dog and help make a real difference in our community. 🐶💙

15/09/2025

At West Kent Mind, we’re here for everyone living in West Kent who needs support with their mental wellbeing. Whether you're facing anxiety, depression, stress, or simply feeling overwhelmed, our groups, services and counselling offer a safe space, understanding, and practical help.

💙 We're West Kent Mind
💙 We're here for you

If you live in West Kent, please know that we're here to help you. We're here to support your mental health, and walk beside you.

Head to our home page, to find out more information about what we offer to our local community.

👉 westkentmind.org.uk

12/09/2025

💙 Wear It Blue is back for World Mental Health Day! 💙

Friday, 10 October is fast approaching, and we’re encouraging schools, workplaces and individuals across West Kent to show their support for West Kent Mind by wearing something blue.👖

Whether it's a blue wig, a t-shirt, or a full outfit, dress in blue and donate £1 to help make a difference for children and adults with mental health problems in your community.👔

📅 It’s now less than a month away, so save the date and let’s paint West Kent blue for better mental health!

🔷 Head to the link below to find out more.

🔗 westkentmind.org.uk/wearitblue

11/09/2025

Thank you to Kent County Council for your generous support. The funding from the Better Health and Wellbeing Community Fund grant will go towards our Children and Young People Early Intervention Service. And will make such a difference to the children and young people that we're able to reach with this vital service. Thank you. 💙

To help mark ***dePreventionDay we're unveiling the 8 brilliant Kent and Medway projects to be awarded this year's Better Health and Wellbeing Community Fund grants.

Every one of them is making a difference and around su***de 💛

Full story: https://loom.ly/cH_5GYc

NHS Kent and Medway
Medway Council

10/09/2025

💙 This video and post mentions su***de and suicidal thoughts, please watch and read with care. 💙

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day. Here at West Kent Mind we want to change the narrative and create a world where fewer people die by su***de.

But supporting someone who’s really struggling with their mental health can feel daunting. In this video, our Training Manager, Ceri Hodgkiss, talks about how to have a conversation with someone who might be contemplating su***de.

If you're worried about someone, it's okay to ask them how they're feeling and help them get the support they need. You don't need to have all the answers. You don't need to be an expert. Being there to listen and showing you care can save lives. 💙

***dePreventionDay

08/09/2025

💙 This week, we’re hosting free open sessions for our Arts and Minds programme in Sissinghurst and Westerham, and we’d love for you to join us. 💙

Drop in for a cuppa, a chat, and the chance to learn more about Arts and Minds and the work West Kent Mind is doing in your community. 🍵

Delivered in partnership with Live Well Kent, Arts and Minds is a fantastic opportunity to spark your creativity, meet new people, and support your wellbeing; all while trying your hand at drawing, watercolour, paper crafting, glass painting, and much more. 🎨

📍 Sissinghurst Village Hall
📅 Tuesday, 9 September
⏰ 1–2.30pm

📍 St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Westerham
📅 Thursday, 11 September
⏰ 10–11.30am

Tap the link below to find out more.

🔗 westkentmind.org.uk/arts-and-minds

05/09/2025

🫖 Fancy joining us for a warm drink and a friendly chat? ☕

At West Kent Mind, we believe in the power of conversation; it lifts our mood, strengthens connections, and supports our mental wellbeing. ✨

Feeling low or a bit isolated? Then you’re not alone, and we’d love to welcome you to our Chat Room. It’s a warm, welcoming space where you can:

💙 Meet new people
💙 Build your confidence
💙 Discover self-care strategies
💙 Find out about volunteering opportunities

Join us at Tonbridge Baptist Church on Wednesdays, 2pm–3.30pm.

⭐ Tap on the link to find out more.

👉 westkentmind.org.uk/chat-room

03/09/2025

Join us for Wilder Wellbeing! 🌿

Reconnect with nature, boost your mental health, and meet like-minded people through our 6-month Creative Minds programme.

Set in the stunning Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, you’ll enjoy creative and nature-based activities designed to build resilience, reduce stress, and foster connection, all in a calm and supportive setting. 🌳

💙 When: Wednesdays 10.30am-12.30pm
💙 Where: Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH
💙 From: Wednesday, 1 October for 24 weeks

Take time for yourself in a peaceful setting, with space to reflect, connect and recharge. Head to the link below for more information and to register today. Spaces are limited, so sign-up as soon as possible. ✨

👉 westkentmind.org.uk/wilder-wellbeing

Wilder Wellbeing Experience the wellbeing benefits of nature in a supportive group setting through this 6-month Creative Minds programme, designed to help improve mental wellbeing, build resilience, and drive connection through creative and nature based

01/09/2025

Domestic abuse can have a lasting impact on young people.

Growing up in a home where abuse is present can leave a young person feeling anxious, confused, and emotionally distressed. It can affect their self-esteem, relationships, and overall outlook on life.

At West Kent Mind, our Early Intervention Service provides a safe and supportive space for young people. Through five focused sessions with a trained practitioner, each young person will begin to build their own wellbeing toolkit, providing practical and empowering strategies that they can use to manage their mental health moving forward.

If you know a young person in West Kent who may benefit from this service, please don’t hesitate to get in touch:

📧 cyp@westkentmind.org.uk
🌐 westkentmind.org.uk/children

We are currently welcoming young people to our office in Sevenoaks, as well as offering sessions in Tunbridge Wells.

Early Intervention Service for Children and Young People impacted by Domestic Abuse This service was created in collaboration with young people and their trusted adults, ensuring it reflects the support they truly need. The service is here