Hope in the Community provides third sector organisations with a free space to run services, activities and groups that focus on wellness.
Based in the heart of Westminster, this community hub was designed through collaborative working with national charity, Chasing the Stigma, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations, patients, carers and local residents.
Its goal is to offer a safe haven and encourage equitable community access to mental health and wellbeing initiatives in a non-clinical setting. It should target and reduce entrenched health inequalities that remain pervasive throughout the population.
The space is owned by CNWL but branded in partnership with Chasing the Stigma. It is located on the ground floor of the Gordon Hospital but functions independently from The Gordon Hospital’s clinical spaces and is not subject to the current public consultation into the building’s future.
The day-to-day operations will be carried out by VCSE partners who have proposed various services and activities for the hub. These can range from:
- Drop in sessions for practical advice and support
- Training and development sessions
- Lived experience / peer support groups
- Physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing activities
- Any other sessions that incorporate learning, social prescribing or community support
Below you can find short descriptions and contact details for each of the activities currently running sessions in the space. Feel free to reach out to any session that interests you!
Hope in the Community is open to anyone who lives or works in Westminster borough.
Most activities and support services will be offered free of charge. The majority require prior booking but this can be done by contacting the respective activity leads (see below), without the need for prior appointments or referrals. Certain activities may only be open to specific groups. This is specified below where you can also find the contact details you'll need for each and every activity.
The hub is designed to welcome individuals who may feel marginalised and disconnected from the Trust’s mental health support services, as well as individuals with enduring mental health conditions who would benefit from ongoing day activities in a secure and non-judgmental setting, alongside their formal care plan.
Below you can find a link to our activity calendar that communicates upcoming events. This will give you the opportunity to plan and make necessary arrangements to attend.
Hope in the Community Westminster is located on the Ground Floor of the Gordon Hospital, Bloomburg Street, London, SW1V 2RH.
Nearest Tube Stations: Pimlico (Victoria Line); Victoria (Victoria, Circle and District Lines)
Bus Routes: 2, 24, 26, 36
Activities will run six days a week:
- Monday-Friday – 9am to 7pm
- Saturday – 9am to 2pm
Abbey Centre
Safe and confidential sessions with Community Mental Health Workers including one-to-one drop-in sessions and peer to peer support.
Email adam.greenhalgh@theabbeycentre.org.uk to book a place.
Age UK
Social get-together for local residents aged 60+ – residents will co-plan and co-produce activities like digital support, information & advice or building new friendships.
Email enquiries@ageukwestminster.org.uk to book a place.
Arts in Health
A step-down service for adults with complex mental health needs, using arts for wellbeing, offering creative activities to support wellness.
Closed session but email cnwlartsinhealth@nhs.net to learn more.
Beyond Diagnosis
Beyond Diagnosis courses provided for those newly diagnosed with HIV or those who have been diagnosed for some time but need further help re: acceptance.
Closed session but email mark.longman@nhs.net to learn more.
British Red Cross
Drop-in sessions for service users and their families with a service co-ordinator or support worker; also, community education sessions.
Email ZoltanAbbott@redcross.org.uk to book a place.
Carer's Network
Meetings for Unpaid Carers who the Network supports in the borough of Westminster. This could be on a one-to-one basis via use of pods or group activities in main meeting room.
Closed session but email Sandie.Roberts@carers-network.org.uk to learn more.
Dignify CIC
A space to co-produce helpful resources and training programmes for people at various stages of the mental health pathway including literacy, teamwork, interpersonal skills etc.
Closed session but email dignifycic@gmail.com to learn more.
Gamcare
Monthly drop-in sessions where individuals can access help and brief interventions covering Information, Advice and Guidance, and signposting to further support. Also, quarterly intervention workshops exploring gambling-related harms.
Email London@gamcare.org.uk to book a place.
Marylebone Project
A supportive space for women experiencing homelessness created by and for women who have experienced homelessness.
Closed session but email Cintia.Rodriguez@churcharmy.org to learn more.
Mind
Therapeutic exercise and Yoga for those experiencing mental health difficulties living in Westminster borough.
Email mtkachuk@BWWMIND.org.uk to book a place.
Paddington Health Chronic Pain Support
Ongoing community, peer support groups with supervision by Health and Wellbeing Coaches to build a sense of community and belonging for those experiencing chronic pain.
Email fiona.kennedy4@nhs.net to book a place.
Recovery College
Courses for local residents run in collaboration with other community partners and individual meetings with students to support people’s recovery journeys.
Email recoverycollege.cnwl@nhs.net to book a place.
Resonate Arts
Social gatherings for our Creative Befriender volunteers. This is a chance for them to meet other volunteers and connect to a wider support network, where they can seek advice, offload any worries they may have, collectively brainstorm challenges they are facing, share their stories and experiences of supporting people living with dementia.
You have to be a volunteer to partake. Email info@resonatearts.org if you want to volunteer and get involved.
Shaman PR
Regular community events, cultural celebrations and workshops to provide opportunities for residents to come together in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.
Email info@shamanpr.org to book a place.
The Listening Place
Training sessions for volunteers who can then offer face-to-face support and non-judgemental listening to individuals in need.
You have to be a volunteer to partake. Email volunteerrecruitment@listeningplace.org.uk if you want to volunteer and get involved.
University of Westminster
Creative workshops for the local LGBTQIA+ community, exploring identity and relationships with the aim of developing wellbeing and a sense of community.
To register interest, please email Qloveletters@gmail.com.
Visual Storytelling Workshop
A series of visual storytelling workshops that guide people through a wellbeing creative process using photos to create narratives inspired by daily life. In the workshops, we will focus on how visual storytelling can be utilised as a wellbeing and self-care tool to help people to be more present, express their feelings and enhance their resilience.
Email sally@sallysouraya.com to book a place.
Westminster Carers
A friendly space for carers, friends and family of adults accessing CNWL’s mental health services to meet other carers. Guest speakers will also be invited to share information, experiences updates etc.
Closed session but email laura.knight@nhs.net to express interest.
Please Click here to see our full programme of activities for the next several months. Here you can see when your preferred activities are running sessions in the space.
Hub of Hope is Chasing the Stigma's mental health directory, where you can search for mental health services local to your area. Just type in your postcode and you'll be directed to organisations in your locality that can support you.