Follow-up Supports

Social Meet-ups

The I Can Centre offers a range of social opportunities and meetups for men and women of all ages, backgrounds, cultures etc to meet or socialise with like-minded others who have an interest in health and well-being. These social events we hope are fun, and a valuable source of ongoing peer support. They are organised by members for members through "The I Can Club", and meetup groups are open to all those who attend our classes and courses, plus their guests. Some of these groups are just getting underway, but we hope you will give them your full support.

The I Can Club

"The I Can Club" committee are elected class reps from each of our community classes. They help organise opportunities for members to meet with like-minded others, across the region, for fun, enjoyment and ongoing peer support, incl Stress Café meetups. To find out more, join our email list, or link with us on facebook and/or Twitter.

Follow-up Groups: The I Can Centre

Moodsters - those with an interest in mood/stress

While "youngsters" describes people who are young, "Moodsters" describes those with an interest / some basic training in 'mood' i.e. those who have completed our Stress Busters course, or its 1-1 CBT equivalent. Moodsters avail of discounted prices at many of our Centre classes and events, including meditation classes. Moodsters also go out socially for fun, enjoyment and can meet once a month for Stress Cafe - an informal catch-up and craic over tea/ coffee.

NOTE: We have a "Young Moodsters" subgroup (for those aged around 18-34) and an "Over 60s Moodsters" subgroup getting underway.

Medsters

"Medsters" is the name we coined to describe those who have completed our six week mindfulness meditation course. Those graduating from this basic 6 week mindfulness meditation class are encouraged to join Medsters, to avail of discounted prices at further meditation classes. Medsters are also encouraged to meet socially with each other, incl fellow-Medsters who have completed the same course from around the region.

DAKtivism™

Compassion and kindness underpins everything we do. For this reason, all our clients, friends and supporters, plus their families and friends, are encouraged to become DAKtivists™ - those who commit to performing at least one daily act of kindness for themselves, or others in their families, organisations, or communities. [More information here.]

Stress Cafe Meetups

Stress Cafe™ is open to all Moodsters (those who have completed our "Stress Busters" course / had 1-1 CBT with us). These meetups over tea/coffee offer a golden and fun opportunity to:

share experiences and updates, or just help others by listening,
troubleshoot queries or problems;
continue learning by getting further updates on techniques;
enjoy catching up with like-minded friends, and draw on their experiences / advise; and
keep building momentum and confidence towards "better" which includes greater self-awareness and well-being. The latter is especially important as it is easy to slip accidentally back into "old ways", even temporarily.

Additional Supports: External

Physical and Emotional Health

External groups can also help in trouble-shooting queries, or in building momentum towards "better", incl those operating via local community centres and/or family hubs. Further sources of support are listed below, for information purposes only as we have no control over external sites.

The Samaritans offer round-the-clock supports and listening (Tel 116 123)
Lifeline a Northern Ireland crisis response helpline for people who are experiencing distress or despair (Tel 0808 808 8000)
OCD Ireland is an Irish organisation for people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), trichotillomania (TTM) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
Dunlewey offers support, advice and counselling for anyone with addiction problems incl gambling, alcohol or drugs
Cuan Mhuire offers addiction treatment services and residential rehabilitation for drug, alcohol and gambling problems
New Horizons (Action Mental Health) supports those with emotional health probelms who wish to progress towards further education, training or employment.
The multi-disciplinary Condition Management Programme (CMP) operates in each of the five trusts in NI, and aims to help those who are unemployed manage physical, practical or emotional health barriers preventing a return to work / training.
Hospital A&E departments, GPs and GP out-of-hours can all offer help for emotional or mental health emergencies, as well as physical health problems.

A&E departments, GPs or GP out-of-hours can provide help for emotional or mental health emergencies.

Aging and Older Adults

As part of AgeSPIRE we hope to bring quality of life and health to later years. The following organisations have similar aspirations.

Men's Sheds offer community spaces for men to connect, converse and create.
U3A (University of the Third Age) is a movement of retired and semi-retired people who come together to continue their educational, social and creative interests
Active Retirement Ireland is a national network of groups that stand up for older people, empower them and support them to get the most from their retirement.
Linking Generations NI aims to bring generations together in order to build communities for all ages
Age Friendly Ireland aims to create an inclusive, equitable society in which older people can live full, active, valued and healthy lives

Adding quality of life and health to later years.

Crisis Pregnancy Supports

LIFE NI is the leading pregnancy care charity in Northern Ireland set up in 1980 to provide care and support for those facing unexpected pregnancy, or needing help during pregnancy or after having a baby
Gianna Care offers a range of free resources and supports throughout Ireland incl ultrasound, baby equipment and financial help.
Stanton Healthcare Belfast offers a range of free and practical supports incl free pregnancy tests, counselling, ultrasound referrals, and practical supports incl baby supplies and financial support.
Both Lives Matter provides advocacy support and information towards the well-being of mothers and their infants.
Refuge for women and children at risk from domestic violence (tel 0808 2000 247).

Supports in (crisis) pregnacy are available.

Children & Parenting Supports / Advice

NSPCC for advice on issues to do with children / young people incl sexting
Childline for telephone support and information accessed directly by children. Call free on 0800 1111
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) for advice about online sexual abuse / grooming
Home Start for parenting advice, support and friendship, especially with younger children
Sure Start provides support services to parents with children aged under four years old, living in disadvantaged areas in NI (click here)
Parening NI offers free, confidential parenting support and advice on 0808 8010 722
Get Safe Online is the UK’s leading source of factual and easy to understand information on online safety.
Samaritans offers 24X7 listening support by phoning 116 123 in NI / RoI

Access parenting classess or supports even for information and prevention.

Debt / Other Advice

Citizens Advice offers impartial and free advice on a range of issues, incl debt, housing, and law.
Advice NI offers advice on welfare issues, incl independent advice on welfare changes such as Universal Credit
National Debt Line offers debt information and help
Credit Unions offer an alternative to borrowing from, or saving with national banks.
NI Direct offers information and advice on a range of issues incl motoring, money (tax, pensions), employment, and/or travel
St Vincent de Paul offers supports to those struggling economically

Money/debt advice and supports are available even for information