Discover how your church can establish a wellbeing space
How can your church simply, safely, and sustainably attend to mental and emotional wellbeing for both church and community?
To help meet this need, Renew Wellbeing is a registered Christian charity which helps churches open spaces of welcome and inclusion in partnership with mental health teams.
The charity, which works with many Christian denominations, was started by Ruth Rice (above) after she suffered her own mental health crisis.
Ruth will be visiting Northern Ireland in September and will speak in both Magheralin and Willowfield parishes on Sunday 28 September:
10.00am in Dollingstown; 11.30am in Magheralin; 7.00pm in Willowfield
You’re warmly invited to send along one or two representatives to hear Ruth and to learn more about Renew Wellbeing.
You are also very welcome to visit the Renew Wellbeing space hosted by Magheralin Parish which is open every Monday afternoon (currently closed for a summer break but open again from Monday 11 August onwards).
Rector of Magheralin, Revd Simon Genoe says:
“Our Magheralin Renew Room is a sacred space where people, both from within and beyond the church community, gather for a time of peace, gentle games and activities, and meaningful friendship, all with a focus on wellbeing. There are optional prayer activities for those who wish to take part, but there is absolutely no pressure.
"I personally love dropping into Renew now and again for a coffee and a game of Scrabble, and to hear how this special place, where it’s OK not to be OK, has been a real lifeline for so many. I would commend Renew Wellbeing to every parish."
What are Renew spaces?
Renew spaces are simple cafe-style spaces run by local churches where hobbies and activities are shared or co-produced.
Each cafe space is attached to a quiet room or prayer space where inner habits of wellbeing are shared.
Each church partners with a mental health professional from the local council or other suitable organisation to ensure good inclusive practices for safe spaces where it's OK not to be OK can be sustained.
Visit renewwellbeing.org.uk