Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service

25/03/2026

✨Wellbeing Wednesday!✨

Ever felt a wave of anxiety, irritability, or brain fog hit out of nowhere? 💭It might not be just your head, it could be your blood sugar.

When we go too long without eating, our blood sugar drops. 📉This triggers a stress response in the body, releasing cortisol and adrenaline. For someone already managing a mental health condition, this internal alarm can feel exactly like a panic attack or a depressive dip. 😱

Managing your mood through food isn’t about being a master chef; it’s about consistency. Here are three ways to keep the "hangry" blues away:

⌛ The 3-Hour Check-In: Aim to eat something small every 3 to 4 hours. This keeps your glucose levels steady and prevents those sharp mood crashes.

🍎 Pair Your Carbs: If you have a snack (like an apple or crackers), try to add a bit of protein or fat (like peanut butter or cheese). This slows down energy absorption so you don't crash later.

🚨 The Emergency Stash: Keep a low-effort snack (like a cereal bar or a bag of nuts) in your bag or by your bed for days when your energy for cooking is at zero.

We know that when mental health is tough, even making toast can feel like a marathon...

1. On a scale of 1–10, how much do you notice your mood changing when you're hungry?

2. What is your "go-to" easy snack for those days when you just don't have the energy to cook?

Share your tips below! You might just give someone else the idea they need to get through their afternoon. 👇

19/03/2026

🎨 New Art & Wellbeing Sessions at The Croft 🌿

We’re excited to introduce a new biweekly Art & Wellbeing group, facilitated by Terri, at The Croft. These sessions gently combine creative activities, aromatherapy, and mindfulness to support your overall wellbeing.

Art can be a powerful way to explore and process emotions linked to stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. This group offers a relaxed, non-verbal and sociable space where you can express yourself creatively at your own pace – no experience or artistic ability needed.

✨ What to expect:
• A calming environment with natural essential oils
• A short grounding meditation to help settle the mind
• Time to explore your own creativity – from card making to scrapbooking and more
• Freedom to create in your own way – there’s no right or wrong

These evening sessions are open to both colleagues and clients and offer a great opportunity to experience the benefits of creative wellbeing.

📅 Next session: 26th March
📍 Location: The Croft

Come along, unwind, and enjoy the process of creating in a supportive space 💚

📩 Message us for more information or to book your place.

18/03/2026

📣Amber Valley📣
Great news! We currently have no waiting list for those living in Amber Valley who are looking for goal-based, community support.

If you feel you could benefit from support, we’re here to help. 💚

📞 Our referral and enquiry line is open 9:00am – 12:00pm. If you contact us outside of these hours, please leave a message and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

📄 All contact details can be found on the poster below.

If you have any questions or would like to make a referral, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

18/03/2026

✨ Wellbeing Wednesday: Setting boundaries guilt-free ✨

Does saying "no" make your stomach do flips? For many of us, setting boundaries feels mean. But here's the truth:

❌ Boundaries aren't walls to keep people out, they are gates that keep you healthy!

When we overextend ourselves to avoid disappointing others, we risk burnout and resentment. Setting a limit isn't rejection, it’s an act of honesty that helps your relationships last. 💖

🛠️ Practice the guilt-free scripts in the image below 👇

✨ A Quick Reminder...

You are responsible TO others, but not FOR their reactions. If someone gets upset because you prioritised your mental health, it’s usually a sign that the boundary was even more necessary.

17/03/2026

💜 Better Ways to Better Days – Peer Support Group 💜

Living with chronic pain or a long-term illness can sometimes feel isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone. Better Ways to Better Days is a supportive peer group where you can connect with others who truly understand.

Join us for a welcoming space to share experiences, find encouragement, and support one another on the journey to better days. There’s no pressure to speak. Just come along and be part of the community.

📍 Location: United Reformed Church, Long Eaton
📅 When: Third Tuesday of every month
⏰ Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Contact details on the poster below.

16/03/2026

12/03/2026

🎓🧠 University Mental Health Day! 🎓🧠

Between deadlines, living costs, and imposter syndrome, university is a pressure cooker. Whether you're a mature student or not, your wellbeing shouldn't be at the bottom of the To-Do list.

This , let's look at realistic ways to protect your peace:

- Audit Your "Shoulds": Swap the "I should study 24/7" mindset for a Top 3 list. Once they’re done, you’re done. Give yourself permission to stop. 🛑

- The 20-Minute Rule: Overwhelmed? Commit to just 20 minutes. If you’re still struggling after that, stop. Resting today prevents burning out tomorrow. ⏳

- Find Your Non-Academic Space: Join a group that has nothing to do with your degree. Maintaining an identity outside of being a student is vital for resilience. 🎨

- Use the Support You Pay For: Tuition covers more than just lectures. Wellbeing services and peer groups are there for you, don't wait for a crisis to use them. 🤝

The bottom line: A degree is a qualification, but your health is your foundation. You can retake an exam, but you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Struggling to cope? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Comment below with one way you’re looking after yourself today. ⬇️

12/03/2026

🤝 Ilkeston Self Help Group

Looking for a friendly and supportive place to talk, connect, and feel less alone? The Ilkeston Self Help Group is here for you.

Join us for a relaxed and welcoming space where you can share experiences, listen, and support one another in a safe environment. There’s no pressure to speak – just come along and be part of the group.

📍 Location: The Cantelupe Centre, Ilkeston
📅 When: Every Monday & Thursday
⏰ Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm

Everyone is welcome. Contact details on the poster.

11/03/2026

We loved being a part of the leaflet drop! Thank you for having us Derbyshire Mental Health & Su***de Prevention

11/03/2026

🌿 Free Gardening for Your Wellbeing 🌿

Looking for a gentle way to boost your wellbeing? Come and join us for a relaxed Gardening for Wellbeing session. Spend some time outdoors, connect with nature, and enjoy friendly conversation while helping care for the garden.

No experience needed – just come along and enjoy being outside.

📍 Location: The Croft, Slack Lane, Ripley
📅 Dates: Monday 16th March & Monday 23rd March
💚 Cost: Free

Gardening can help reduce stress, lift your mood, and support your mental wellbeing. Everyone is welcome.

11/03/2026

✨ Wellbeing Wednesday! ✨

When you’re in a meeting, a lecture, or a busy shop, you can’t always stop to meditate. That’s where discreet grounding comes in, tools to anchor you back to the present without anyone even noticing. 👀

Here are 3 techniques to try anywhere:

1. Focus on your feet: 👣 Shift your entire awareness to the soles of your feet. Feel the floor supporting you. Notice the pressure on your heels and toes. It’s the quickest way to get out of your head and back into your body.

2. Describe one object: 🔑 Pick up something near you (e.g. a pen, your keys, a cup.) Describe it to yourself in boring, granular detail. What is the texture? Is it cold? Are there any scratches? This forces your brain to switch from "panic" to "observation."

3. The Cold Water Reset: 🧊 If you feel a spiral starting, run cold water over your wrists or take a sip of ice-cold water. The sudden temperature shift acts as a physiological "reset button" for your nervous system.

Grounding isn't about fixing the problem, it’s about finding enough steady ground to take the next step.

Which of these sounds most helpful to you? Let us know in the comments. 👇

04/03/2026

Is your "Yes" costing you too much? 🚩

We’ve all been there: saying "yes" to a favour when you’re already exhausted, or staying on the phone for an hour when you really needed an early night.

When our boundaries are unhealthy, we often feel resentful, drained, or even trapped by our own commitments. But healthy boundaries aren't about shutting people out, they are about showing people how to love and support us without burning us out. Check out the image for some tips 👀

The Golden Rule: You don't need to be "in crisis" to set a boundary. You’re allowed to protect your peace just because it’s yours. 💚

Which of these "swaps" do you find the hardest to use? Let’s support each other in the comments. 👇