Local group members chatting at an MS Society event

Wellbeing Hub NI - Reach Out Connect

Are you living with MS in Northern Ireland? Reach out to us! We're here to help you live well with MS and help you connect online with other people living with MS right across the province.

Event/service information

We’re working with a number of organisations and local experts including Caim Counselling, Aware NI, Scottish Book Trust and other independent professionals, to offer you a number of online experiences.

All of these services are delivered remotely on Zoom or over the telephone. They're available to anyone living with and affected by MS in Northern Ireland. The services include:

1:1 counselling
Living life to the Full & Mood Matters group programmes
Art workshops
Journaling courses
Breath for health and yoga nidra workshops
Facial reflexology sessions
Monthly book club
Digital story telling
Cookery demonstrations and cook-alongs

You can explore what’s on offer using this page by signing up on our Eventbrite page. Or find out more by calling us 02890 802 802 or emailing [email protected].

Explore our services

Counselling

This service is provided by our partner CAIM counselling a counselling organisation in Northern Ireland with counsellors who are experienced in MS.

They deliver up to 8 free counselling sessions per person on Zoom or over the telephone.

Counselling is a therapeutic process where you can be open and honest with a trained counsellor. You can explore challenges and difficulties in a safe space. Counselling can help you grow in self-confidence as you talk through issues.

Living Life to the Full and Mood Matters sessions

Aware NI are experts in delivering mental health and well-being programmes to many people across NI. They’ll be delivering bespoke Living Life to the Full programmes and Mood Matters sessions that will give you tools and techniques to help you live well with MS.

Yoga nidra and breath for health workshops

These require no movement and are solely for relaxation and calmness. You can join our weekly yoga nidra sessions from a comfy chair, or lying still with a blanket as you’re led to a place of calm. Often with a good night’s sleep to follow.

Our breathing workshops allow your body and mind to feel the benefits of mindful breathing. To come into your breath and understand the benefits that a regular mindful breath practice can have for your health and mind.

Digital Story Telling

Facilitated by Scottish Book Trust, for a small number of participants. You will be able to benefit from the opportunity to tell a story using your spoken narrative accompanied by visuals.

The unique appeal of digital storytelling is that it puts you in complete control of how your story is told: all stories are scripted and edited solely by you (their creators). It's your story told the way you want to tell it.

Art and journaling classes

Each month our qualified art teacher will help you create your own masterpiece during the course of a two hour workshop. All materials can be posted to you in advance. It's a great opportunity to meet others and create something to feel proud of. No experience necessary.

Our journaling classes run in four week blocks. They’re the perfect opportunity to take some time to learn about and experience journaling for wellbeing. Allowing you to carve out a little space for calm and quiet reflection while being guided by our expert.

There's no obligation to share with others, simply come as you are and enjoy the atmosphere this class creates.

Cookalongs

Our cooking demonstrations happen at different points in the year and they're inspired by the season they take place in. The atmosphere in our cookalongs and demonstrations is one of light hearted fun.

You'll create a dish (or two!) that you can be very proud of. You can even invite family or friends and neighbours along to chip in and then enjoy the fruits of your labour together.

Book club

Join our book club us to discuss a book you might never have chosen yourself, but may well enjoy. And even if you don’t, we'll enjoy discussing it!

We keep the options varied and choose a different title each month using a poll.

Facial reflexology and massage

Join us as our qualified reflexologist guides you through a home facial or body massage. They'll use store cupboard staples that will allow you to feel relaxed and your skin to feel rejuvenated.

MS connect cafés

We have a range of virtual café meet ups running on Zoom, including a younger person’s café.

These are monthly informal gatherings where you can meet other people living with MS in a relaxed and friendly environment. It's an opportunity to make connections, support one another and have a virtual coffee together.

Our Connect Cafés each have volunteer hosts who will be online to welcome you and introduce you to others who live with MS.

How do I join?

All our activities are free and open to anyone living with or affected by MS in NI. We use a video meeting software called Zoom. All you need to get involved is a laptop, phone or computer with access to a stable internet connection. You can download zoom for free.

If you’re not sure what's right for you or you have any questions, please contact the team at [email protected].

About our project

Our Wellbeing Hub NI, is made possible through funding from our donors. Especially our 18 month Reach Out Connect (Roc) project which is being funded by the Department of Health’s Mental Health Fund, through the Community Foundation NI and the National Lottery Community Fund.