Better Health Hub

Our service

At the Centre for Better Health, we focus on hands-on activities and crafts, such as baking, bike mechanics, painting and ceramics. Although these activities all seem very different, they share characteristics that make each of them well suited for self-care and promoting wellbeing.  

The multi-sensory engagement involved, the methodical, repetitive and meditative nature of the making process, and the promise of an end 'product' help to reduce stress and anxiety in the maker. These acts of making and repairing help us to slow down and be more present, and also provide a healthy distraction from other stresses in our lives. 

Our Hub offers a range of creative, movement and therapeutic groups and courses. We design our courses in a way that encourages you to learn at your own pace, to make 'mistakes' and overcome setbacks, to feel that your skills are valued, and to meet and interact with other people.

Current groups and courses 

Take a look at our current and upcoming creative, mindfulness and movement courses. We also run therapeutic support groups.

Don’t see anything that interests you? We’d love to hear from you. While mental health doesn’t discriminate, we do know that it affects some communities disproportionately. We want to make sure we’re meeting your needs too. Tell us what you’re interested in by completing this form.

What can I expect?

What we offer: Relaxed, engaging courses and one-off workshops delivered in a supportive and inclusive environment. You can take a look at our Better Health Hub Participant Guidelines to read more about what you can expect from us and what we expect in turn from our Hub participants.

Our Hub activities are designed and delivered with the aim of improving wellbeing. We believe that by feeling included and listened to, meeting new people, overcoming set-backs and experiencing a sense of achievement, you will feel better connected and more confident in your own abilities. 

Who our service is for: Our courses and groups are designed for individuals 18+ that are struggling with feelings of low wellbeing, isolation and loneliness, anxiety, depression and other forms of mental ill health. You do not need to have a mental health diagnosis to access our courses. Our courses and workshops cater to mixed-ability participants with different paces of learning.  

Our tutors: Our tutors are experienced with working with a range of needs; however, they are not able to offer one to one support during or outside of the course sessions. You may like to consider our counselling service, alongside doing a Hub course, if you feel you need more support. 

How can I apply?

There are two pathways into our Better Health Hub.  

Pathway one: Through the City and Hackney Wellbeing Network, which you are eligible to join if you reside in the City of London or London Borough of Hackney. As a member of the Network, you can access our courses free of cost to you. Click here to read more about the Network.

If you are already a member of the Network, please email your Network Coordinator to request a place on the course you would like to join. If your Network Coordinator is Nathan from the Centre for Better Health, you can email him by clicking here.  

Pathway two: Through completing a form and making payment to secure your place (click on ‘Register for a Hub course here’ at the top left of this page).

How much are the courses?

We are committed to offering low-cost services, to provide greater accessibility to people who otherwise may not be able to access non-statutory mental health services and wellbeing activities.

For pathway two, we operate a sliding scale for our daytime groups and courses based on your circumstances, with the top rate helping to subsidise our lower rates.

• Full price (A): if you are working and earning £25,000+ (gross salary)

• Concession price (B): If you are working and earning less than £25,000 (gross salary) and not claiming benefits, or claiming a non-means-tested benefit

• Concession price (C): If you are working (including self-employment) and claiming a means-tested benefit; a full-time student or retired

• Concession price (D): Not working, sick or a carer and claiming a means-tested benefit

You will need to provide proof of circumstances to access a concession rate.

Seeing yourself progress is really nice. Now I look at stuff I made a year ago and think ‘Good God, that’s awful!’

Megan joined the Better Health Hub two years ago. Her mum had joined a year prior, and pottery had opened up a new lease of life for her. After Megan joined, the family representation just grew and grew; in addition to Megan and her mum, her sister, step-mum and God Mother all now take part in the ceramics courses, and her dad is doing one of the exercise classes! 

[I think my mum joined originally as] It’s a nice thing to do if you’re struggling in different realms. For me, I have been doing therapy, and doing this as an alternative to talk therapy was really helpful. Even if you don’t come here as a source of therapy, it’s really good for your well-being and mental health to spend some time doing something creative that’s also quite relaxing.

[It] is really nice that everyone is at different levels. I think that’s really important for your mental health. If you’re in an environment that is encouraging of whatever level you are and you have the freedom to progress or [know] it’s OK if you mess up, that’s really helpful. It gives you that mentality in other parts of your life too.

Seeing yourself progress is really nice. Now I look at stuff I made a year ago and think ‘Good God, that’s awful!’ And now I am getting better. That’s really nice for your mental health. You can see your potential to progress even if it’s in a different part of your life. It gives you the chance to see that you are capable.

The classes alone haven’t been enough to sate Megan’s passion for pottery. A few months ago, Megan successfully applied for a voluntary role as a Ceramics Technician, and is trying her hand at the ‘behind the scenes’ work; loading kilns, reclaiming clay and making slips. 

[My family] were really pleased when I said I was going to take part. They really supported me in the decision to do it. They all know that this is a really nice place to be. […] [Being part of a group of volunteers] has been really nice as they have the same interests. It has been a nice opportunity to explore something that we are all interested in.