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Tyneside mindfulness company secures £10k Lottery funding

A Tyneside-based mindfulness company has been successful in obtaining £10k National Lottery funding enabling it to provide free classes and courses across the region.

In operation since 2013, Mindfulness Based Therapies, co-founded by Rachel Jones-Wild, a qualified counsellor and mindfulness trainer, is now set to launch the Mindful Communities Project.

The 48-week project has been funded by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund and will provide eight drop-in classes per week in meditation and mindful exercise such as yoga and Pilates.

Mindfulness is a means of becoming more aware of the present moment, rather than being caught up in worry about the past or the future.

Practices learned in mindfulness classes help people to appreciate some of the more pleasant aspects of their lives, accept some of life’s challenges and make positive choices.

This can help people to manage difficulties such as chronic pain, stress, depression and anxiety.

Jones-Wild said: “I was over the moon when I found out about the National Lottery funding. It is such a great opportunity for us and for the communities we work in.

“The practice of mindfulness is becoming increasingly popular as a way of helping people to take a break, take a breath and appreciate the moment.

“While this has the potential to benefit so many people, courses can often be too expensive for people on low incomes.

“When I retrained as a therapeutic counsellor in 2010, this was very apparent. I realised that so many people were missing out on something that could potentially give so much and this seemed totally unfair.

“When we started the not for profit company over a year ago, it was always the intention to offer donation-based and subsidised classes to make them more accessible to people on low incomes or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“The classes we already run have been working extremely well and we have already taught over 200 people in the time we have been going.

“Our existing students have a range of needs such as anxiety disorders, depression and fibromyalgia.

“It was seeing the progress in our current students that made us want to do more free classes and this funding has allowed us to do that, it really is fantastic.

“People can expect very gentle classes such as meditation, chair-based yoga, chair-based Pilates, mindful yoga, and Tai chi.

“Classes will be open to all, and are particularly suitable for those experiencing chronic pain or mental health problems.

“The classes are taking place in easy-to-access venues, close to public transport and have parking for those who drive.

“We are all so excited to get this project off the ground and hope to see a lovely mix of people attending.”

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