Stepping Stones

New online Stepping Stones courses – spring 2021

Free of charge, starting in January. 

Register your interest now to reserve your place and enrol from 4^th January 2021.

Please see details below of how to join Stepping Stones online courses running during the spring term 2021.  These courses are open to all Harrow residents with mental health needs.  We understand that these are challenging times and apologise that we are not able to run any face-to-face courses at the moment because of social distancing requirements.

All our Stepping Stones spring term courses are now being offered free and online using Zoom video conferencing with tutor guidance.

Please note that you will need to have the technology required to access these courses; a smartphone, iPad/tablet or computer/laptop with Wi-Fi internet access for Zoom video calling so that you can view our tutors teaching a live class. 

You will also need to have an email address so that we can send you a link to join the class.  You will need to download Zoom first to your device to be able to participate.  In the pre-group session we will show you how to use Zoom so that you can make the most of the course.

The spring 2021 Stepping Stones online courses on offer are:

1. Calling all men – Resilience & Brilliance

Wednesdays and Fridays 11.00am-12.30pm

A course for men only; which will equip you with the tools to build your self-confidence and resilience.

The course will cover ways to be more active in your life and set goals for your self-development, how to be more assertive and stand up for yourself.   All men are welcome to join this course and stay connected.

2. Doodle Art for Wellbeing

Tuesdays 10.00am-11.30am and Wednesdays 1.30pm-3.00pm

Doodle Art is a wonderful form of art therapy, allowing its users to slow down, focus and de-stress.  It is a fun way of expressing yourself, but is also a great way of experimenting and learning how to draw.

See how drawing simple shapes and patterns materialize into works of art. Doodle Art helps to reduce anxiety and also boosts memory.

3. Creating Imagery for Fun and Mindfulness

Mondays and Thursdays 3.30pm-5.00pm

You will learn a number of creative things to do for relaxation and enjoyment.

Each week will cover a separate subject and these will include:  Photography, Creative writing, Video, Vision boards, making a calendar.

4. Singing for Fun

Tuesdays and Fridays 2.30pm-4.00pm

Singing is the most wonderful and natural form of self-expression. If you enjoy singing, or the idea of being able to sing, then this is the course for you.  No previous singing experience is required.

The focus is on you developing your singing skills, building your confidence and finding your inner melody.  From simple songs and rounds and an introduction to basic vocal and breathing techniques, you will be able to share your ideas and passion for the music you like, explore new and familiar styles of music, learn from others and play musical games.

5. Yoga for Men and Women

Mondays and Thursdays 11.00am-12.30pm

You will be taken through gentle stretches to relieve stress, breathing techniques to promote calm, yoga poses to improve posture, and periods of meditation and relaxation.  This course is for men and women.

These online courses run over a 9 week period.  This includes a pre-group session, six weeks of classes guided by a tutor, a post-group session and a one week break for half term.

• The pre-group* session is one meeting of 1.5 hours. These meetings will start from 20^th January 2021.
• Classes are 1.5 hour long, there will be two classes each week for each course for 6 weeks starting from 25^th January – March 2021.
• The post-group* session is one meeting of 1.5 hours. This will run the week after the courses end.
• Please note the time required for each course:
  • 1 course – 3 hours a week
  • 2 courses – 6 hours a week
  • 3 courses – 9 hours a week

Please ensure that you can make the time commitment before expressing your interest in any courses, as we could lose funding from non-attendance.

* It is essential that learners attend the pre and post group sessions. 

How do I join Stepping Stones online courses?

Step 1: Email us your course preference choices as soon as possible

To: SteppingStones@mindinharrow.org.uk with the following information:

1. Your full name.
2. Your first and second choice of course preference. You may add a third course choice but we will be allocating places according to availability.
3. Please let us know if you would like to do one or two courses or three courses if you can make the time commitment.
4. Have you completed a Stepping Stones course with us before?

Step 2: Please wait to receive an email from Stepping Stones at Mind in Harrow with further instructions on how to enrol

1. We will be allocating places from the emails that we receive at SteppingStones@mindinharrow.org.uk on a first-come first-serve basis.
2. Once we have noted down your course choice/s, we will email you with a link of how to enrol from Monday 4^th January 2021.
3. You can then fill in an online enrolment form from the link we have sent you.
4. We will contact you to confirm your place.

We will let you know which course/s you have been successful in enrolling on.  All new learners will be required to have a short interview with the Stepping Stones team to assess their suitability for the course.  All learners who are interested in joining the physical activity course will need to complete a physical activity questionnaire.  We cannot guarantee any places until all forms have been completed and we are satisfied of your suitability for the course.

We try and ensure that all applicants get a place on at least one online course.  If there are places left we will try and offer you a place on a second course, if you have requested this in your email to us.  If you can make the time commitment we may offer you a place on a third course if there is availability.

We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to the spring term 2021 of Stepping Stones courses.

Please email us at: SteppingStones@mindinharrow.org.uk for any queries.  We will respond to any queries in the New Year.