Mental health charity's guide to 'safe spaces'

Sharon Lockhard said after the Covid lockdowns it was "important to meet again in a friendly, safe environment"

A support group for people with mental health issues has been highlighting "safe spaces" out in the community.

The Phoenix Project, a social project in Ipswich, has a club that meets on Fridays offering morning activities and a chance to chat and have lunch at the Quaker Meeting House on Fonnereau Road.

Tracy and Paul, who attend, say it is really important to know where else you can go in town where you can get a warm welcome, especially if you have anxiety, stress or any mental health challenges.

In Suffolk, it is estimated that 106,250 residents (aged 16 or over) experienced at least one common mental health condition in 2020. The most common were generalised anxiety disorder, depressive episodes and phobias.

Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, which starts on Monday, Phoenix showed us a few of their favourite other places, starting at the Geek Retreat gaming shop and social centre.

It is a franchise that was set up about a decade ago offering food, games, or just somewhere to sit and spend time.

Sharon Lockhart, its manager, says she and her husband Rob liked this idea of coming together and helping others make friends while playing games, and as parents of a child with autism, they were looking for a suitable space and set up the Ipswich branch in 2021 on Upper Brook Street.

She says that for some people having activities to engage in takes the stress out of having to talk about themselves.

"Post-pandemic, it was important to meet again in a friendly, safe environment, especially with a dying town centre like Ipswich," said Ms Lockhart.

"You can proudly wear your [mental health] labels in this shop... and it's dog- friendly too.”

The Coffee Crawl meets in a different venue each Wednesday, such as Honey & Harvey near the Corn Exchange and King Street Cinema

Coffee Crawl is a social group which gathers on Wednesday mornings for a cuppa and a chat at a different outlet each week - and it is actually at the Geek Retreat this coming Wednesday.

They say it is all about just turning up and meeting like-minded people in a relaxed, informal setting. You can make friends, which is great for everyone.

The community garden and physical health project ActivLives was established 16 years ago and is based in Maidenhall.

Jack, site manager’s assistant, says that green activity such as its ActivGardens offer can dramatically improve your mental health - just by being in the fresh air and close to nature.

Carl who attends the group says it has changed his life: "It is work and social at the same time, you feel like you are giving back and are also part of something.

"Sometimes if you are down here, you can just sit for10 minutes, then grab a tea.

"Everyone has been through something, but the mindset is just to try and enjoy a bit of the day."

ActivGardens is one of the projects offered alongside ActivHubs, ActivSport and ActivSingers

On Norwich Road is The Hive - a cultural community centre based in the former West End Music shop. It offers free language groups, social sessions, sewing and craft workshops and has a lovely garden project that allows people to spend time outside in a very urban part of town.

Omar O'Connor supports one of the social sessions on Tuesdays and says The Hive has a unique offer of bringing so many different people together.

Anyone can come and meet others, get involved in arts and crafts, maybe make podcasts or help in the garden.

The Phoenix group says there are other safe spaces for your mental health in the town and they are talking about making a leaflet available in the future.