Raising awareness: BEAM Café provides crucial mental health support in Boston

The BEAM Café (Building Engagement Around Mental Health) offers a vital non-clinical safe space for anyone in the community facing mental health and wellbeing challenges. This welcoming environment provides a listening ear, peer support, and connections to other essential support services.

Located at Centenary Church, home of the Boston Wellbeing Hub on Red Lion Street, the café operates on the following schedule:

-        Monday: 1pm to 3pm

-        Tuesday: 12pm to 3pm

-        Wednesday: 4pm to 7pm

-        Friday: 6pm to 8pm (in partnership with Night Light Café)

Heidi Freeman, Community Connector, said: "Our BEAM cafes have grown and now, in partnership with Centenary Church, we have our Wellbeing Hub which offers a welcoming and safe space within the community for people to access a wide range of information, guidance and support under one roof. 

"I think this is so important as when you are struggling with your mental health and wellbeing, it can be difficult to know what kind of support you might need, where to find it, and how to go about accessing it. I am so grateful for all the partnership working with other services and community groups and the support from my facilitators and volunteers. The hub aims to be at the heart of our community".

In addition to the regular café hours, BEAM also hosts wellbeing sessions designed to help individuals explore and learn useful techniques to support their mental health. These sessions include mindful arts and crafts, mindful movement, breathwork, and overall relaxation methods to reduce stress, calm anxiety, and promote self-care. The sessions are scheduled as follows:

-        Monday: 12pm to 1pm - Arts and crafts at Centenary Church

-        Thursday: 11am to 12pm - A mix of arts/crafts, meditation, and mindful movement at The Black Sluice, South Forty Foot Bank, Black Sluice Lock Cottages, London Road, Boston PE21 7RA

Emily Spicer, Assistant Director for Wellbeing and Community Leadership at Boston Borough Council, said: "The BEAM Café is an invaluable resource for our community, providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals facing mental health challenges. Initiatives like these are crucial in promoting mental wellbeing and offering practical support. We are committed to supporting and partnering with BEAM to ensure that everyone in our community has access to the help they need."

Attendees from the sessions gave their feedback:

"Coming to BEAM has made a big difference to me. I have sometimes felt let down by services and still have difficult days but going to the group has helped me feel better about myself.  The group is a space where I can feel safe".

"This group saved my life. I have met new people, people who are there to listen and don't judge me. Rather than shutting myself away in bed, I started to come out of the house and attended BEAM every week.  I've now gone onto do some volunteering and go to other groups in the community".

BEAM Café and its associated wellbeing sessions are essential resources for the Boston community, offering support and practical techniques to manage mental health challenges. Supported by Boston Wellbeing Hub, Centenary Methodist Church, St Barnabas, Night Light Café, NHS Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire County Council, Shine Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire Mental Health and Wellbeing Transformation.

For more information, or to get involved, please call or text Heidi Freeman at 07833 786816.