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.
Assistance and pets as therapy (PAT) dogs
Please note that there is potential for assistance PAT dogs to be in the college. If this may cause you any difficulty, please speak to a member of college staff.
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
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 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.
Intermediate photography (five sessions)
Weekly from Tuesday 29 July, 1.30pm to 4pm
This course is aimed at students who have previously completed the ‘introduction to photographyʼ course.
Structured into five sessions based on specific genres of photography, such as animals and wildlife, portraits and people, landscapes and cityscapes, documentary, events and sports, and architecture and details.
Participants will utilise a number of manual techniques such as aperture control and use of flash, and learn about the specific lenses, filters or other equipment best suited to different types of photography.
A dedicated camera with manual control settings is highly recommended.
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
Coffee, cake and conversations (monthly)
Friday 19 June and 17 July, 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.
Neurodiverse tea (monthly)
Friday 5 June and 3 July, 2pm to 3.30pm
A relaxed monthly talking space for neurodiverse individuals. Each monthly session will have a different set topic.
June: Boundaries
July: Acceptance
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.
NEW! Exploring Sleep (three Sessions)
Wednesday’s from 10 June, 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Getting a good nights sleep is hugely beneficial to our mental and physical health and gives our body and brain the chance to rest and heal.
This course looks at why sleep is necessary for our wellbeing, the causes of common sleep problems, and practical ways as to how you can improve your own sleep.
Many of us experience poor sleep or sleep-related disorders that include bruxism, sleep apnoea, and restless legs. Over a third of UK adults struggle with insomnia on a weekly basis, and an estimated two out of every five adults snore.
NEW! Nature and wellbeing (three Sessions)
Weekly from Tuesday 9 June, 1.30pm to 4pm
Nature can have a myriad of benefits to our health and wellbeing. This course follows the ‘five ways to wellbeingʼ structure by looking at how we can ‘take noticeʼ of nature, ‘connectʼ with nature, ‘be activeʼ in nature, ‘learnʼ from nature, and ‘give backʼ to nature.
We explore some of the barriers people can experience to connecting with the natural world and how to overcome them. T
his course will have a classroom session where we discuss the benefits of nature from a lived experience perspective, before having a short walk outside to be mindful of and appreciative of nature.
NEW! Everyday mindfulness (four sessions)
Weekly from Friday 19 June, 10am to 12noon
This course will give you the tools to learn how to pause, step back, find stillness and regain control.
Becoming more aware of the present moment can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves better. When we become more aware of the present moment, we begin to experience things that we take for granted. This awareness helps us notice signs of stress or anxiety earlier and helps us deal with them better.
NEW! Let’s talk adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis (two sessions)
Weekly from Monday 1 June, 1.30pm to 4pm
Covering the ADHD experience from the perspective of ADHDʼers. Join a group of likeminded individuals, discuss coping strategies, and build on innate strengths.
Designed for those who are newly diagnosed as adults, on the waiting list or self-identified ADHD.
NEW! Let’s talk: adult autism diagnosis (two sessions)
Weekly from Monday 22 June, 1.30pm to 4pm
A two-session weekly course designed for those who are autistic, on the waiting list for diagnosis or self-identified.
Weʼll discuss ‘living wellʼ whilst on the waiting list. What to expect from diagnosis and what comes next. Weʼll also have the opportunity to share our own lived experience as adults identifying autism later in life.
NEW! Let’s talk dual diagnosis: autism and ADHD (two sessions)
Weekly from Tuesday 21 July, 1.30pm to 4pm
For those of us with dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD, life can be a conflict. We might be exhausted and need a sensory detox, but craving connection we seek out novelty and excitement.
These two sessions designed for adults diagnosed, or on the waiting list for combined ADHD and autism, will explore coping tips, information around diagnosis and a chance to meet like minded neurodivergent people.
NEW! Can video games be good for mental health? (one session)
Friday 24 July, 1.30pm to 4pm
For some, video games are a welcome solace, a social experience, or a place to challenge themselves. For others it can lead to addiction and dependence.
During this workshop there will be open, balanced discussion and opportunities to learn more about video games and why we find them so irresistible!
NEW! Keeping safe online (two sessions)
Weekly from Tuesday 7 July, 1.30pm to 4pm
More of us work remotely, shop online, and use social media to catch up with friends, with 90% of UK citizens using the internet on a daily basis. While being online does bring its own risks, it is possible for all of us to remain safe, well, and keep our personal information private and secure.
This course looks at online safety, and discusses internet scams, virus protection, the benefits and pitfalls of social media, and how to tell if a news story is accurate.
