Follow-up and Peer Supports
Social Meet-ups
At the I Can Centre we offer our clients a range of optional follow-up fun opportunities and supports to meet / socialise with like-minded others. These 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" is getting underway - a committee of elected class reps from each of our community classes. They help organise opportunities for members to meet with like-minded others for fun, enjoyment and ongoing peer support, incl Stress Café meetups. They can also be a source of support and a friendly-face on any virtual or physical meetups. To find out more, check out our community Stress Busters CBT course; or link with us on social media.
In-house Supports
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 hope shortly to have a "Young Moodsters" subgroup (for those aged around 18-34 years) and an "Over 60s Moodsters" group.
Medsters - those with an interest in meditation
"Medsters" is the name we came up with to describe those who have completed our six week mindfulness meditation course. Those graduating from our basic 6 week mindfulness meditation class are invited (but not obliged) to join Medsters. Medsters has many benefits:
- discounted prices at further meditation classes.
- opportunities for social meetups with each other, incl fellow-Medsters who have completed the same course at other classes, or from other regions.
At each class, members will be invited to nominate one or more class reps, who will help organise follow-up meetups. Reps and members will decide on the frequency and form of meetups.
DAKtivists™ - those committing to Daily Acts of Kindness
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.]
Anyone who believes in kindness every day is a DAKtivist, but becoming a formal one just helps build a peer community of support, e.g. to test and share ideas; make new friends; find encouragement, and also contribute to real change for individuals and whole communities. Come join us because lindness can change lives and whole communities.
Stress Cafe Meetups
Stress Cafe™ is open to all Moodsters (ie all those who have completed our "Stress Busters" course OR 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.
External Supports
- NI Direct offers information and advice on a range of issues incl motoring, money (tax, pensions), employment, and/or travel