Welcome to our timetable of courses, workshops and outdoor activities.
We hope you find something of interest and look forward to seeing you. All courses and activities are designed to contribute to your wellbeing and recovery.
Enrolment
Drop-in enrolment morning (monthly)
First Tuesday of every month, 10am to 12.30pm
As a new student at ARCH, you will need to enrol. You can pop in for a chat and find out what we can offer over a cuppa at our monthly enrolment sessions. Booking is not required. Just turn up!
You can also contact us by:
Email [email protected]
Telephone 0191 451 0890
Physical health and wellbeing
Dragon boating with adventure access (three sessions)
Training: Wednesday’s 22 and 29 April, 4.30pm to 6pm
Tournament: Saturday 2 May 10am to 3pm
Green Lane, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3JU
Weʼre super excited to share a fantastic opportunity for ARCH Recovery College students to take part in free dragon boating sessions on the River Wear in Durham City in conjunction with Adventure Access, a community interest company based in County Durham.
There are a maximum of 20 places available on the dragon boat, and places will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis so get in there quick!
We ask that students can commit to all 3 sessions before booking.
No previous experience is required, and the sessions are suitable for complete beginners and all levels of fitness. The sessions can be quite physical but they will be tailored to attendees/group needs and there will be the opportunity to take breaks throughout the sessions.
If you have any questions at all, we are happy to put you in touch with Adventure Access staff who will be happy to answer any queries.
Photography walk (weekly)
Weekly, Fridays, 10.30am to 12noon
This is a slow-paced walk based specifically around looking out for photographic opportunities. We share advice on photographic techniques, how to improve composition skills and other advice as to what makes a good photo.
In Durham, we have previously visited Wharton Park, the Cathedral and the Town Hall. We often visit a café afterwards as well!
Gentle paced walking group (weekly)
Weekly, Mondays, (not bank holidays) 10am to 11am
A gentler paced walk, taking place on flat ground and supported by friendly and supportive walk leaders. The walks are at a much slower pace with the option to rest, if needed. These walks are great for helping to build your confidence and increase activity levels gradually.
Walks will alternate between Chester-le-Street Riverside Park (meeting in the car park) and Durham. We will confirm the walk venue and meeting arrangements when you contact us to book.
Places must be booked on a weekly basis.
Walking for wellbeing (weekly)
Weekly, Thursdays, 10.30am to 12noon
Join our weekly walking group, leaving from outside of St Margaret’s Health Centre at 10.30am on Thursday morning, for a 90-minute walk around beautiful Durham City and the surrounding countryside. All you need is comfortable, supportive footwear and clothing suitable for the weather (water and sunscreen in warm weather).
Please note that whilst our walks are inclusive and available to all, a basic level of fitness and mobility is needed to be able to tackle some of the steep hills and banks that Durham City is renowned for. If you would like to chat to a walk leader about the walks before booking, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Walking the seasons (monthly)
Monthly, Fridays 10 April, 8 May, 12 June, 10 July, 1.30pm to 3.30pm
A monthly walking meditation, taking place on the second Friday of every month, leaving from the Botanic Gardens, Hollingside Lane, South Road in Durham, DH1 3TN. The walk lets you observe and experience the changing of the seasons. Youʼll be encouraged to use your senses to connect with nature. As seasons change, weʼll suggest what to look out for, so you can experience things in a new and different way.
Introduction to photography (six sessions)
Weekly from Thursday 16 April, 1.30pm to 4pm
This course aims to teach you how to improve your photography, looking at techniques of composition, using manual settings on your camera, and how to discover new photographic opportunities.
It involves both classroom and practical elements, where the you will visit nearby places in Durham to take photos and to put what you have learned into practice. Places visited include the Miner’s Hall, Cathedral, Cosin’s Library, and Wharton Park.
There will be an opportunity for you to share your photos with the group and receive feedback.
Everyone who would like to improve their photography is welcome, whether they have a phone camera or the latest mirrorless camera!
Join a walking group in County Durham
Did you know that Durham County Council run a programme of free, weekly walks throughout County Durham? The walks are a fantastic opportunity for those wanting to take first steps to being active via Gentle Steps to Walking / Get Ready Walks, or for maintaining a healthy lifestyle (Wellbeing Walks) in the company of others. For more information and to book onto the walks, visit the Move Walking website.
Wellbeing skills and tools
NEW! Pioneering your way to resilience (five sessions)
Weekly from Tuesday 7 April, 1.30pm to 3pm
Pioneering your way to resilience and wellbeing is about daily routines and occupations and how to make healthy changes/choices during a 5-session programme.
By designing your own personal wellbeing guide with the use of mindful skills, meditation, learning new skills, healthy choices and daily activities, you will be able to redesign your routines by making small changes and creating achievable goals for improved wellbeing.
Note: This is a Pioneering Care Partnership course, participants should enrol at https://dcrsinterface.azurewebsites.net/Referral?R=1B36CC1D making sure that you put ‘attending pilot group ARCH’ in the blank box at the bottom of the form.
Coming off medication (one session)
Wednesday 8 April, 1.30pm to 4pm
While prescribed medications for mental health can work well for some people, for others, they may experience a range of side effects which can be worse than the condition that they are being treated for.
At the same time, however, many people who try to come off these medications find that they experience a range of discontinuation effects, some of which can be distressing and can persist for weeks after stopping. As a result, people often have to go back on the medication in question.
This course suggests tried and tested ways in which you can, should you wish, reduce or discontinue any medications while minimising any distressing symptoms.
Neurodiversity and energy management (one session)
Monday 13 April, 1.30pm to 4pm
Pain, mental health difficulties and masking neurodiverse differences can all have an enormous drain on your energy. This can have an impact on your day at work, caring for your family and socialising.
This one-off interactive session will explore managing energy, recognising burnout and what activities drain or help us recover energy and tools to help us cope.
Roll for recovery (seven sessions)
Fortnightly from Thursday 16 April, 10am to 12.30pm
Did you know that tabletop role playing games can be a great way to make connections with new people and explore social situations in a safe environment?
Join us to roll many dice and tell a story of daring adventure, all whilst exploring the theme of recovery!
This game is designed for complete beginners.
Music and nature (two sessions)
Friday 17 April and Monday 18 May, 10am to 12noon
Sound can play an important role in wellbeing; in these sessions we explore both musical sound and the sounds of our natural environment and make creative connections between the two.
In each session we will practise attentive (or ‘deep’) listening in Durham’s rich natural spaces and develop musical responses (inside and outside) to our experience of this environmental sound. No prior musical experience necessary, but dress for the weather.
You will participate in sound-making activities in groups. You do not need any previous musical knowledge or experience.
The course will be focused on fostering a deeper attachment to nature and processes of ecology, through music.
Coffee, cake and conversations (monthly)
Friday 17 April and 15 May, 2pm to 3.30pm
Coffee, cake and conversation is an informal, monthly event to come together and discuss a specific issue concerned with wellbeing and positive mental health while enjoying some light refreshments.
Exploring phobias (one session)
Tuesday 21 April, 10am to 12.30pm
A phobia is an overwhelming fear of particular places, objects, animals, or situations. Phobias can have a considerable impact on someoneʼs life, resulting in them organising their life around the thing that is causing them anxiety.
This session looks at both specific and complex phobias, looking at the causes, how they are sustained, and, importantly, how they can be treated.
NEW! Neurodiverse tea (monthly)
Friday 1 May, 2pm to 3.30pm
A relaxed monthly talking space for neurodiverse individuals. Each monthly session will have a different set topic.
Positive psychology toolkit (three sessions)
Starts weekly from Wednesday 6 May, 1.30pm to 4pm
This short course explores a range of practical tools used in positive psychology to enhance subjective wellbeing.
We will briefly present the theory and evidence of several practices and you will be supported to try out these techniques for themselves and reflect on them.
There will also be an opportunity for the group to share ideas of other wellbeing strategies.
Managing uncertainty (one session)
Tuesday 12 May, 1.30pm to 4pm
It is common for us to get trapped in a spiral of worrying about the future, with many people focussing on the ‘what ifsʼ. As humans we generally prefer order, security, and familiarity, and when donʼt have the answers, it is common for us to feel in danger.
This workshop seeks to equip participants with the tools and strategies to better manage uncertainty in their day to day lives, for example, by looking at what we can/cannot change, building resilience, and looking at situations where we had to manage uncertainty in the past.
NEW! Singing for wellbeing (weekly)
Weekly from Friday 15 May, 10am to 12noon
Come and join the Arch Singers, no singing experience or ability needed.
The aim of the group is to have fun, laugh, socialise, connect with one another in a relaxing environment.
There are many benefits to singing, it improves mood and feelings of belonging, reduces stress and increases feelings of relaxation. It promotes connectedness, positive feelings, self-identity and boosts our immune system.
New! Neurodiversity and masking (one session)
Monday 18 May, 1.30pm to 4pm
Designed for neurodiverse individuals, this session will explore what masking is, why we do it and asks: should we mask at all?
Understanding Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) (one session)
Tuesday 19 May, 1.30pm to 4pm
CBT is a form of talking therapy that is effective at treating a wide range of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
This course outlines the history of CBT, the theories and research that underpin it, and discusses what you are likely to experience during CBT sessions.
As well as looking at the benefits of CBT, it also looks at the possible criticisms and disadvantages associated with this kind of therapy.
New! Dealing with loneliness (one session)
Tuesday 19 May, 10am to 12.30pm
This course talks about what loneliness is and how it can make you feel.
You will find out what makes you more likely to feel lonely, why loneliness has increased and how people can feel lonely whilst among a crowd of people. It also discusses tips to combat feeling lonely, how to support someone who is feeling lonely and the benefits that solitude can sometimes have.
New! Neurodiversity and focussed interests (two sessions)
Weekly from Tuesday 26 May, 1.30pm to 4pm
Designed for neurodiverse individuals. In this course we celebrate our differences and focus on the topics that bring us joy and a sense of wellbeing.
Week one will be a general discussion on neurodiversity and focussed interests.
Week two participants are invited to share their own interest with the group.
Creative writing (fortnightly)
Thursdays, 10am to 12noon
Writing can be a great way to be mindful, explore your emotions and enjoy being creative. Aimed at all abilities, these monthly sessions will focus on writing prompts and short exercises designed to inspire and kickstart your inner writer!
Mind, body and spirit (weekly)
Wednesdays, 10am to 11.30am
Weekly sessions are practical and informative, covering practices such as Tai-Chi, breath work, relaxation techniques, acupressure and mindfulness. No prior knowledge or experience is required. The practices aim to promote relaxation, whilst nourishing the mind, body and spirit. They can positively affect our emotional and physical wellbeing and increase our energy levels.
Weather permitting, we may hold some sessions outdoors.
