Solent Mind

11/02/2026

Menopause is a natural stage of life, and it can affect mental wellbeing in many different ways. With the right understanding and support, workplaces can become places where people feel heard, included and able to do their best. 💙

In this 30‑minute session, our Workplace Wellbeing Training team will look at how menopause can influence mental health, offer practical ideas to support your own wellbeing and explore how you can support colleagues, friends or loved ones who may be experiencing menopause.

This session is open to everyone. You may be going through menopause yourself, wanting to learn more, or supporting someone else through the transition.

Sign up on our website: www.solentmind.org.uk/free-tasters

https://www.solentmind.org.uk/free-tasters?utm_content=sked_69860b59a424eeb2939c3b17&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook

10/02/2026

Have you entered Solent Mind's Big Charity Raffle yet? As well as giving you the chance to win a luxury stay in Marbella, your ticket will help to support our vital mental health services in Hampshire.

What your entry could fund:
- £5 could provide materials for a week of a creative peer support group
- £25 could fund 30 minutes of a drop-in support group at one of our wellbeing centres
- £50 could fund a full hour of 1:1 peer support for someone who needs it most

It takes less than a minute to enter. Get your tickets via www.solentmind.org.uk/big-charity-raffle/social*.

One small ticket. A big impact. 💙

*T&Cs apply. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook. Please gamble responsibly. For anyone concerned about gambling please contact Gamble Aware.

09/02/2026

Military Minds: Giving families of the British Army and Royal Air Force support with their mental health🎖️

Life in a military family can bring unique challenges: deployments, frequent moves, stress, loneliness and more. Solent Mind’s Military Minds service, run in partnership with the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, is here to help.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, isolated or just need to talk to someone with lived experience of military life, we’re here for you.

Support includes:
- A friendly chat with someone who understands
- Free resources and wellbeing tips
- Signposting to local services and groups

For more information or support, call 0303 003 4239, email militaryminds@solentmind.org.uk or visit https://www.solentmind.org.uk/support-for-you/our-services/military-minds/.

06/02/2026

NHS Talking Therapies Hampshire is launching a brand new course! 💫

If you frequently struggle to find the energy for everyday tasks, Motivation, Mood and Me can help you understand why, and give you some tools to help. 💙

When your motivation or energy feels low, even small tasks can feel overwhelming. Our new free online course, Motivation, Mood, and Me, is designed to help you understand what affects your mood and learn practical ways to make positive changes.
Across six one‑hour sessions on Zoom, you will explore how low mood cycles develop, how to bring more balance into your day, and how lifestyle factors can influence how you feel. We will also introduce you to strategies to gently increase your motivation, overcome common barriers and maintain the progress you make. Resources are provided to help you put the skills into practice between sessions, and a question-and-answer feature allows you to send questions to our facilitators.

The next course starts on Wednesday 18 March 2026, at 1pm – 2pm and will take place at the same time every Wednesday for six weeks.

Find out more or sign up at: www.italk.org.uk/how-we-help/wellbeing-sessions/

05/02/2026

Today is Time to Talk Day – a reminder that a small conversation really can make a big difference. 🛋️

This year, we are proud to be working with Southampton Mental Health Network Health Network on the campaign, encouraging our community to notice one another, start conversations and build connections across the city. 💙
If you are in Southampton today, Mayfield Garden Centre is hosting a Talking Table to give visitors a relaxed space to chat, enjoy a warm drink and connect with someone new. Everyone is welcome from 9.30am – 3.30pm. ☕

Find out more about our partnership with Southampton Mental Health Network as we work towards better mental health within our communities. Read the full article here: www.solentmind.org.uk/time-to-talk-26

04/02/2026

Young people in our 18-25 group at New Forest Wellbeing Centre had a special visit from Southampton-based African Activities in January, and took part in an interactive session. 💙

Kwame Bakoji-Hume, founder of the African artistry group, hosted a workshop, offering our young people the chance to try out Adrinka printing and drumming as methods of communication. 🥁

Charli Reed, Wellbeing Coordinator, said it was a great session: "Kwame arrived as a ball of positive energy, our young people often struggle with low self-esteem, and we found that taking part in these activities really helped build belief in themselves."

The young people who attended said that they'd found it really interesting, and that they'd learnt a lot about each other. One even said it was the best session he had attended! 🌟

Find out more about New Forest Wellbeing Centre on our website: www.solentmind.org.uk/new-forest-wellbeing

02/02/2026

Win a luxury Marbella penthouse stay and support better mental health in Hampshire. 💙

For just £5, enter Solent Mind’s Big Charity Raffle for your chance to win a 4-night stay in a stunning 2-bedroom penthouse in Marbella, Spain. Worth over £2,000, this incredible prize is generously sponsored by Mariposa Travel.

About the prize:
- 4 nights for up to 4 people
- Sea views towards Gibraltar
- 2 minutes from the beach and 15 minutes from the Old Town
- Flights and transfers included up to £800
- Travel dates: April–June 2026 or September 2026–March 2027 (subject to availability)

How to enter:
It takes less than a minute! Enter now via www.solentmind.org.uk/big-charity-raffle/social*.

Raffle closes on Monday 16 March 2026. The winner will be drawn and announced on Thursday 19 March 2026.

Every ticket sold will help us provide vital, life-changing support in our community.

*T&Cs apply. This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn. Please gamble responsibly. For anyone concerned about gambling please contact Gamble Aware.

Good luck!

30/01/2026

As we come to the end of the first month of 2026, we just wanted to say a big thank you to every corporate partner, workplace team and organisation that supported Solent Mind throughout 2025. 💙

Across the year, you gave your time, energy and resources in so many ways. From volunteering at events, taking part in challenge activities and running your own fundraising initiatives, to offering practical help such as painting, gardening, clearing spaces, donating items and providing free room hire, your support has helped us to create welcoming spaces for the people who access our services. 🛋️

You have helped to share our messages with wider audiences, provided vital sponsorship, loaned equipment when we needed it most and stood beside us at community events. Every contribution, big or small, has helped us reach more people and ensure that no one in Hampshire has to face a mental health problem alone.

Thank you for supporting us in 2025, offering your unique gifts to make a difference in your communities with enthusiasm and compassion. We're so grateful for your input so far, and look forward to continuing to work together in 2026. 🤝

28/01/2026

From 1 February, Solent Mind’s Portsmouth Peer Support Service, currently run from the Wellbeing Centre in Arundel Street, is changing.

We’ve been commissioned by the NHS to focus on providing peer support to service users within the primary care remit. This means a shift in our focus from peer support groups to dedicated one-to-one sessions, working alongside NHS colleagues in local community spaces.

To ensure a joined-up approach, people looking to access support will need to follow a new referral pathway. In the future, please speak to your NHS mental health service about a referral or contact the Portsmouth Mental Health Hub on 0300 123 6621, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Find out more and read the full news article on our website: www.solentmind.org.uk/portsmouth-changes

26/01/2026

Many of us offer understanding and patience to the people around us, yet find it harder to extend the same compassion to ourselves. When work feels demanding or pressures build, self‑criticism can become a familiar voice. Learning how to respond with kindness instead can make a meaningful difference to our wellbeing. 💙

This February, our Workplace Wellbeing Training team is hosting a free online taster session: A brief introduction to self‑compassion. The session explores what self‑compassion looks like in practice, how it can support resilience at work, and simple techniques you can begin using straight away. ✅

It is suitable for anyone who wants to strengthen their wellbeing, whether you are supporting a team or looking after your own mental health.
Everyone deserves the chance to feel supported and understood, including ourselves. You are welcome to join us, whatever your role, background or experience.

To reserve your free place, visit www.solentmind.org/free-tasters

23/01/2026

Steven kindly shared his experience of meeting Cathy, Intensive Engagement Support Worker for our Remind service, during a drop‑in session at Portsmouth Carers Centre. 💙

At a time when he felt overwhelmed, Cathy offered tailored, compassionate support that helped Steven, his mum and her care team break down the barriers to accessing training and information around dementia care. We're so grateful to Steven for sharing his story, talking about the impact that our service has had on him, his care team and his mum. 🧩

Remind supports people living with dementia and their carers across Portsmouth, offering practical guidance, personalised plans, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, activity groups and signposting to local services.

If you or someone you support could benefit, you can find more information about Remind on our website: www.solentmind.org.uk/remind

21/01/2026

Gina first came to Solent Mind as a teenager, when she was finding life overwhelming. The support she received at Mayfield Garden Centre helped her feel understood and less alone. 💙
Running has since become an important part of her life, supporting her mental wellbeing and helping her to feel grounded. After completing the 10k last year, Gina has now signed up for the half marathon at the 2026 ABP Southampton Marathon Festival to raise money for Solent Mind. 👟

If mental health has been part of your journey too, taking on a challenge for Solent Mind could make a real difference. Charity places for the 2026 event are now open.
Read the full story on our website: www.solentmind.org.uk/ginas-story