Ripon Rural Wellbeing Support
Do you live in Ripon or the surrounding villages? Are you struggling with your mental health? We’re here to help!
Our outreach service provides local access to kind and compassionate mental health support in the more rural areas of Harrogate district. Confidential, personalised and accessible appointments are available on Fridays at Ripon Library.
Suitable for low-level mental health problems, we offer:
- Information on mental health conditions, including coping tips.
- Assistance in finding groups and activities to improve social connections.
- Signposting and referrals to other helpful services, such as befriending or counselling.
Ripon Library
How to Book
Contact Kirsty Dawson, Rural Wellbeing Coordinator [email protected]
Telephone: 07305 049296
We are also able to offer Mental Health First Aid training courses in Ripon. For more information on our training courses, please see Mental Health Training for Businesses.
Our Befriending Coordinator, Dave, is also available to meet at our community locations. If you have any questions about this service or wish to book an appointment with him, please visit our Befriending page.
Our Work at Ripon…
Cost-of-Living Support
We have hosted free cooking demonstrations as part of our work to support people through the cost-of-living crisis. With recipes specially created around items commonly available at local food shares, we empowered attendees to be able to create healthy meals on a budget. Mind in Harrogate District staff were also on hand to provide mental health and wellbeing support.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
As part of our commitment to supporting people in rural areas to achieve the best possible mental health, we delivered a fully funded Youth Mental Health First Aid training course at Ripon Grammar School. These courses equip participants with the knowledge and skills to recognise signs of poor mental health, feel confident to start a conversation, and direct individuals to appropriate support.
Wellbeing Groups
We delivered a series of scroll saw workshops alongside the local men’s shed, and in partnership with our Route One to Wellness Partner, Claro Enterprises.
Woodworking can have several benefits for mental health, including:
- Mindfulness and Relaxation: Woodworking often requires focus and attention to detail, which can promote mindfulness. This concentration helps to divert our attention away from stressful thoughts and promotes relaxation.
- A Sense of Accomplishment: Completing a woodworking project can boost self-esteem and provide a sense of achievement.
- Connection with Nature: Woodworking often involves working with natural materials, which can foster a sense of connection with nature. Being in contact with nature has been shown to have positive effects on mental health and well-being.
- Social Interaction: Woodworking can be a social activity, whether through joining a woodworking club, attending classes, or simply sharing your projects with others. Social interaction and a sense of community can help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.
