MA Centre Community Support is an outreach service with a mission to improve health and wellness for
Call us on 0800 009 6353 between 2-6pm or email befriending@macentre.org.uk if you feel lonely or isolated + would like someone to speak to. Befriending Companions is a free service offered nationwide across the UK.
06/01/2022
Happy New Year to all 🌟
If anyone has resolutions to learn something new this year and be more mindful….this course may be of interest.
The course is only 3 hours long and is being held at the MA Centre, Bromley, this Sunday, 9th January 2022.
This beautiful, 20 minute practice combines movement, breathing and visualisation. Open to all 18 +, you just need to commit to practising for 21 days.
If you are interested, you can book your tickets here:
https:/buytickets.at/macentre/621169
Hope to see you in Sunday!
💕🌟🌸
25/02/2021
We always have hope, even when it feels like we have nothing.
If you're looking for hope, we can help. On regular phone calls, you will be helped to overcome feelings of anxiety and lack of social contact with compassionate, non-judgmental support.
Contact our team by calling 0800 009 6353 between 2pm and 6pm daily.
Have you ever tried to meditate? It can be a little tricky to do on your own, but there are loads of great apps you can use!
Some of our favourites include , , and ! We'd encourage you to give them a try.
23/02/2021
It's so difficult to say no - even when you're asked to do something that you REALLY don't want to do.
Well, here is your permission to say NO.
It's okay to say no to the coworker who is always asking for more and more input on a task. It's alright to say no to the friend who borrows your things and never returns them. And it's a good idea to say no if it means that you can look after yourself properly.
You're just setting boundaries - and that's important to do.
22/02/2021
We know that parenting has been tough recently. Here are some tips for making it a little bit easier.
1. Go back to basics. Try setting your priorities for the day in the morning. What absolutely has to get done?
2. Find a few minutes a day for yourself. These days, the old cliché of “putting your mask on first” has taken on a new meaning. But the idea that if you can’t help yourself, you can’t help your child, stills holds true.
3.Acknowledge that right now, you are in survival mode. Be kind to yourself, and remember that though it may feel lonely, you are not alone.
21/02/2021
There's always something to look forward to - right now, we're looking forward to spring. Warmer temperatures, flowers everywhere and new life beginning to bloom...
What are you looking forward to?
20/02/2021
Why does make you happy?
When you dance your body releases endorphins. This is a chemical that triggers positive energy and good vibes! It helps improve your emotional state and reduce perception of pain.
So if you need a bit of , have a dance! Let us know what song you like to dance to!
19/02/2021
When was the last time you went outside? This weekend, try to take a short walk in a park or around your neighbourhood. Look for flowers and birds, and mindfully feel the ground under your feet. There's nothing like a bit of fresh air and exercise to help with your mood.
18/02/2021
“Some beautiful paths can't be discovered without getting lost.” ― Erol Ozan
17/02/2021
Exercise is so important for mental health - but it doesn't have to be boring! Why not try jumping rope or dancing to your favourite music?
Here's an article about looking after your mental health using exercise by . Give it a read!
Sometimes it feels easier to look after other people rather than looking after yourself. Fixing their problems somehow feels easier than fixing your own!
Do you know someone who needs to hear this? Share this post with them 💖
15/02/2021
Keeping in touch with friends and family members is so important right now, especially if you've been living alone during lockdown.
Think to yourself - who haven't you chatted to in a while? Why not send a simple message asking how they're doing? They'll probably be glad to hear from you - everyone is in need of a friendly chat now and again.
14/02/2021
It's easy to prioritise your relationships with others over your relationship with yourself. This weekend, try and work on that! Treat yourself to a fun activity, like watching a favourite movie or eating a delicious meal.
Because Dr Steve Maraboli is right - the most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself. ❤️
13/02/2021
When was the last time you did something to make yourself happy? Whether that's baking a cake, listening to some upbeat music, or dressing up in a nice outfit?
If it's been a while, why not do it today? It's okay to treat yourself!
12/02/2021
Is there anything better than cosying up on a cold day and reading a book? There are lots of fantastic books about mental health that we would recommend, including:
📚 Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
📚 The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
📚 Jog On by Bella Mackie
What is your favourite book about mental health? Let us know!
11/02/2021
With Valentine's day just around the corner, it might be time to think about the relationships in your life. But we don't just mean your relationships with friends and loved ones - we also mean your relationship with yourself.
Are you treating yourself the way you should be treated? Are you talking to yourself kindly, and being patient when you make mistakes?
10/02/2021
It is possible to be alone without being lonely.
Kei Hysi writes: "The moment you learn how to live alone without feeling lonely you will see how beautiful and amazing life can be. You will start to love your life, the way you handle things, the food you cook for yourself, the songs you sing in the shower, the way you dance while cleaning the house, the way you deal with your responsibilities and the relationships you create with the people around you."
Are you looking for a bit of support? Our Befrienders can offer a friendly ear and a meaningful connection, as well as provide coping and wellbeing strategies which can help you gain the strength to manage your daily tasks independently.
Call us any day between 2pm and 6pm daily on 0800 009 6353. We would love to hear from you ❤️
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to MA Centre Community Support - UK:
Lockdown and the Covid-19 pandemic has made millions of people feel lonely and isolated. Many do not have anyone to share anxieties and worries with and we know that loneliness across societies is on the increase. Our FREE Befriending Companion Service was launched in May 2020 to support these needs. The service is run entirely by warm-hearted volunteers. We will put you in touch with someone who will provide a friendly listening ear, and a meaningful connection. Not only will the service help overcome common feelings of loneliness, isolation, anxiety, and lack of social contact, it will provide compassionate, non-judgmental support and further assistance to accessing other services and community resources which might be beneficial.
What is a befriending service?
The Befriending Service is an outreach provision, which offers a listening ear and friendly voice during these challenging times. The service is run by fully trained volunteers with the aim of providing support and encouragement to help improve health and wellness. Befrienders provide friendly chats to enable anyone feeling lonely or isolated and seeking help to feel connected and emotionally supported.
A befriending service is usually a voluntary, charitable service aimed at helping individuals or groups of people to develop and achieve improved levels of independence in the situational context of their specific and individual needs.
The service focuses on the development of a friendly and less formal approach which will facilitate understanding and acceptance of an individual and their current state of physical, mental or spiritual being.
The friendly relationship is central to the service provided and will be the means through which understanding, acceptance, guidance, sharing, listening and participation will be achieved.
The connection has the fundamental ingredients of all social relationships such as, communication, being genuine, respect, honesty, integrity, understanding and trust.
The service engages individuals with a view to supporting full participation in daily living and facilitating their ability to access other community-based services.
It provides a service which focuses on needs of the individual and supports any action which will ensure preservation of safety to self or others.
A friend must always be willing to act in the best interest of clients. Ready and willing to advocate on client’s behalf, in ensuring preservation of their human rights and to safeguard their rights and access to public services. An essential civil duty.
Please Note: The Befriending Service is not a counselling service and cannot provide medical advice.
Who is the service for?
The service is open to anyone experiencing difficulties in daily living and feeling isolated or lost in the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic. The service can also help navigate access to other services or community resources.
If you are interested in becoming a Befriender we have listed some of the required skillsets below - please reach out to us for further information:
A vetted and fully trained individual who has the time, commitment and willingness to help and befriend others in need. Training and time commitment are essential.
Qualities – Friendly and helpful disposition, a good listener, politeness, tolerance and willingness to learn from others.
One who can show empathy and be compassionate when relating to others.
A simple common-sense approach to daily living problems and able to identify problems requiring more specialist help. And the ability to request such specialist help.
One who can function with boundaries and awareness of self in dealing with stressful situations.
One who is a friendly facilitator and will encourage clients to solve their problems, rather than solving the problems for them.
