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)
Thursday 3 July and 7 August, 10am – 12.30noon
If you would like to register as a student at ARCH, or simply come in for a chat and find out what we can offer over a cuppa, you are very welcome to pop into one of our monthly enrolment sessions.
Booking is not required. Just turn up!
Physical Health and Wellbeing
Photography Walk (Weekly)
Fridays, 10.30am – 12noon
Facilitator: Nigel and Pete
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)
Mondays, 10am – 11am (Not on bank holidays)
Walk Leaders: Christine and Luke
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 the Seasons (Monthly)
Friday 11 July and 8 August, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Venue: Botanic Gardens, Hollingside Lane, South Road, Durham, DH1 3TN
Facilitator: Peter and Janice
A monthly walking meditation, taking place on the second Friday of every month, lets you observe and experience the changing of the seasons. You’ll be encouraged to use your senses to connect with nature. As seasons change, we’ll suggest what to look out for, so you can experience things in a new and different way.
Meet in the car park near the entrance to Botanic Gardens.
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, Link: Move walking (thriveleisure.co.uk) or Follow on Facebook
Walking for Wellbeing (Weekly)
Thursdays, 10.30am – 12noon
Walk Leaders and Assistants: Alison, Janice, Peter, Barry, Luke, Christine
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.
Wellbeing Skills and Tools
New! Creative Writing Drop In (Monthly)
Wednesday 2 July and 6 August, 10am – 12noon
Facilitator: Kay and Kyle
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!
Dealing with Loss (5 Sessions)
Starts weekly from Thursday 3 July, 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Facilitator: Paul and Kay
Loss is part of life and yet it can threaten to destroy us. Types of loss vary, from bereavement to loss of status, from losing our hearts to losing our minds. And though we show a brave face to the world most of us carry the scars of these losses.
This course is an opportunity to think about this, to be open about how it feels and to consider how we move on. If you have had any kind of loss that has affected you, this is your course. It requires no expertise, just a willingness to be vulnerable about your own losses and be empathetic to those of others.
Paul Walker was once a Vicar, then a mental health Chaplain and now works as a Family Liaison Officer. He is in his 60s and has had his fair share of loss.
Coffee, Cake and Conversations (Monthly)
Tuesday 29 July and Wednesday 20 August, 10.30am – 12.30noon
Facilitator: Peter and Ryan
Coffee, Cake and Conversation is an informal, monthly event whereby we come together to discuss a specific issue concerned with wellbeing and positive mental health while enjoying some light refreshments.
Theme for July: Self-Care in the Summer. This session focuses on the different ways we can care for ourselves mentally, physically (and spiritually) during the summer months.
Theme for August: Letting Go. In this session we talk about ‘letting go’ – how do we let go things that no longer benefit us – whether habits, toxic individuals, or unhelpful thoughts, and what are the challenges with doing so.
Mind, Body and Spirit (Weekly)
Wednesdays, 1pm – 2.30pm
Facilitator: Janice and Luke
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.
Positive Psychology Toolkit (3 Sessions)
Starts weekly from Wednesday 9 July, 10.30am – 12.30noon
Facilitator: Kay
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 students 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.
Introduction to Photography (6 Sessions)
Starts weekly from Wednesday 16 July, 1.30pm – 4pm
Facilitator: Peter and Nigel
This 6-session 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.
This course involves both a classroom element and a practical element, where the group will visit nearby places in Durham to take photos and to put what they have learned into practice. Places visited include the Miner’s Hall, Cathedral, Cosin’s Library, and Wharton Park.
There will be an opportunity for people to share their photos with the group and receive feedback. Everyone who would like to improve their photography is welcome, whether they have a phone camera or fancy DSLR.
Introduction to Recovery (1 Session)
Monday 21 July, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Facilitator: Kyle and Nigel
A session designed for people new to ARCH recovery college. Meet some new people in a relaxed and welcoming environment. This interactive session is a gentle introduction to the CHIME recovery principles, Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning, Empowerment. Discuss what recovery means to you and start to plan your next steps!
New! Understanding Resilience (1 Session)
Tuesday 22 July, 1.30pm – 4pm
Facilitator: Peter
Resilience is a skill that helps you recover from difficulties and grow from the experience. But how do you develop resilience? What does ‘being resilient’ mean? Join us to discover tips, techniques and learn with fellow students!
Let’s Talk Late Autism Diagnosis (2 Sessions)
Starts weekly from Friday 25 July, 1.30pm – 4pm.
Facilitator: Kyle and Nigel
Designed for adults who are either on the waiting list or have recently been diagnosed as autistic. Join us to discuss the lived experience of being diagnosed late in life. Session one will look at challenges we may face whilst session two is focussed on autistic strengths.
New! Men and Mental Health (3 Sessions)
Starts weekly from Tuesday 29 July, 1.30pm – 4pm
Facilitator: Peter and Liam
With around one in eight men experiencing mental health problems like depression or anxiety, it is surprising we are still finding it difficult to talk to each other about it!
This three-session course will welcome you to learn more about taking care of your own mental health and break down the stigmas that can prevent us seeking help when we need it most.
Let’s Talk Late ADHD Diagnosis (2 Sessions)
Starts weekly from Monday 11 August, 1.30pm – 4pm
Facilitator: Kyle and Ryan
A session to discuss all things ADHD! Aimed at adults who are either on the waiting list, recently diagnosed or interested in seeking a diagnosis.
The first session will cover what ADHD is and how it can affect us with a chance to talk about our personal experiences. The second session will look at the diagnostic process and what to expect. This is a loose format session, focussed on conversation.
New! Are Video Games Good for Mental Health? (1 Session)
Friday 22 August, 1.30pm – 4pm
Facilitator: Kyle and Ryan
This one-off workshop will explore the theme games and how we play them. Sometimes as adults we can lose the ability to play, where we can explore, fail, and learn in a safe environment.
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 some small activities, open discussion and opportunities to learn more about games and why we find them so irresistible!
New! Social Media and Mental Health (1 Session)
Tuesday 26 August, 10am – 12pm
Facilitator: Peter
Social media is a major part of our life, helping us to stay connected to people across the globe. However, it can also adversely affect our self-esteem and mood.
In this session we will discuss the benefits and disadvantages of social media while encouraging you to think about your own online habits, with the goal being to promote a healthier approach to participation in online communities.
Exploring OCD (2 Sessions)
Starts weekly from Tuesday 26 August, 1.30pm – 4pm
Facilitator: Peter
This two-session course will provide students with an introduction to OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), looking at why it develops, its manifestations, and how it can persist and evolve with time. It will also look at the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments which have been successfully used to manage this condition.
