| Issue #2, Spring 2026 Bringing you Sound Minds’ updates, upcoming events and creative inspiration Welcome to the spring issue of Sound Minds’ e-newsletter.We will be sending seasonal updates on our activities and sharing ways that you can be involved. We hope you enjoy and thank you for being part of our community. 🎨 Newsletter highlights: – Mia Morris on finding joy. – Members sharing their experience of the gig at The Bedford in March. – Sound Minds receives Quality Award. – Artwork by our art group members. – Upcoming dates for your diary! |
| MIA MORRIS ON FINDING JOY |
 |
| Mia Morris, Sound Minds’ Canerows Project Manager, shares her helpful reflections on finding joy, which may inspire some ideas for looking after yourself this Spring. Greetings everyone, Now that hopefully winter is behind us, the clocks have changed and some of us have celebrated Easter. It has made me reflect on the importance of finding joy again by exploring your creativity and broadening your horizons in regards to being exposed the rich cultural life of London. We all seem to have experienced a very dark winter in terms of weather and mood. So I have learnt the importance of creating joy in my life by reading more books, going to the cinema, theatre, art galleries and spending time with family and friends. Just to say that I have been a member of Cineworld for the last 15 years and so go to the cinema 2 to 3 times a week. Sometimes I have a coffee with other people who might have seen the same film. I also live quite near to Wandsworth common and go dog walking with my neighbour once a week. Going to the library gives me joy – I read a book a week and often pop in to browse and see what the latest books are plus get my library to order books I think that other people will enjoy. I also do tapestry (see image below) which is a piece that has taken me three years to complete. Plus I have done some artwork at Sound Minds. That reminds me to encourage you all to think about having a go at doing something different. I also received a wonderful toiletry set for Christmas which had this card, so bring on the joy, get into the sun and ring that friend. Go for the walk and come to Sound Minds and feel the joy with our amazing members and our array of wonderful activities – have a look at our sensational offer. Remember you are not alone, just reach out to us at Sound Minds – you never know we might be able to help or point you in the right direction. If you have any worries or concerns we are good listeners. Bring on the joy, Mia |
  |
| Artwork by Mia Morris |
| LIVE AT THE BEDFORD |
 |
| Our Live at The Bedford gig in March was a great success, showcasing a range of talent from our members and bringing the Sound Minds Community together. Here are a couple of comments from two performers, Gbenga and Andy: “The Gig was fantastic. It was my first performance in a while so I was really nervous. I chose two songs I knew well and that would hopefully perform well in a venue like The Bedford. Once I was on stage everything settled and I felt comfortable performing two songs I have written. Overall the experience was great, and I can’t wait to get on stage and do it all again.” – Gbenga “On the 25th of March I performed at the Bedford. It’s our biggest gig of the year and in the weeks leading up to the gig I spent a lot of time practicing for many weeks beforehand with a live band at Breathe to make sure It was perfect.We had a sound check at 5:30pm on the day with the live band to make sure everything was well prepared before, which I also found helpful as I was able to get comfortable in the environment.Then the moment came to perform with the band I was slightly nervous beforehand, but also excited. When I performed and closed the show I found it very enjoyable performing live. I had a lot of fun and was vibing with the band members when I performed. Overall it was an amazing night and a lot of fun.” – Andy |
| SOUND MINDS RECEIVES COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AWARD |
| We’re really pleased to share the news that Sound Minds has won the Community Partnership Award at the South West London & St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust 2025 Quality Awards. Here are some words by our nominee, Amanda Cummings: “Sound Minds is an exceptional community partner whose work with our Trust reflects the very best of collaboration, creativity, and service improvement. Their hospital visiting programme provides compassionate peer support to inpatients within the Acute and Urgent Care (AUC) service line, offering connection, hope, and a pathway into peer support roles within the Trust. This initiative strengthens our workforce with culturally capable, lived-experience-informed individuals who bring empathy and insight to mental health care. Sound Minds exemplifies the spirit of community partnership through their passionate and collaborative work with our Trust. Their commitment extends beyond clinical settings. Their commitment to partnership extends into cultural and community engagement. Their contribution is not only direct and practical, it is transformative. Their work is not only impactful, it is inspirational.” |
  |
| WELCOME DAY EVENT |
| We recently welcomed a group of people who were newly referred to Sound Minds for a ‘Welcome Day’. It was a chance for us to connect with new people and share what Sound Minds is all about. The day offered a relaxed introduction to our work, giving prospective members a feel for the supportive, creative space we’re so proud of. One of the highlights was a hands-on music song-writing session, where everyone had the opportunity to get involved, express themselves, and experience the power of creativity for wellbeing. It was inspiring to see people coming together, trying something new, and beginning their journey with us through music, connection, and shared creativity. We’re excited to see attendees become part of the Sound Minds community. |
 |
| Sound Minds hosts a regular free improvisation session, every last Friday of the month, 7pm to 9pm at Sound Minds. This is a chance to play music with others with no boundaries, rules or direction. It is all about playing whatever feels right in the moment. Sometimes the results are chaotic and discordant but more often everyone comes together to create moments of beauty. All are welcome and it is free to attend, if you want more info then contact Chas. |
| MEMBER VOICES |
  |
| Image caption: Artwork by Cathy Madden |
| Poem by Dust You can’t sell weapons to love You can’t sell weapons to love You can’t sell weapons to love Man woman and child Your only crime is to smile As the bombs Fall from the sky And those that survive You got blood in your eye You got blood in your eye Yesss you got blood in your eye And all you see is red Yes it is All you see is red All you see is red All you see is red But You can’t sell weapons to love But You can’t sell weapons to love No you can’t Ohh no you can’t But you can sing with us You can’t sell weapons to love You can’t sell weapons to love You can’t sell weapons to love You can’t sell weapons to love Watch this YouTube video – Wandsey – A Mixed Media Film About My Dog |
| DATES FOR YOUR DIARY |
 |
| Image caption: Artwork by Nikki Van Niekerk |
| Tuesday 2nd June to Tuesday 14th July 2026 Nikki Van Niekerk Presents: Expressions Of The Abstract Mind, in our Bloom Gallery Thursday 9th July 2026 Summer Music Showcase at Sound Minds More information will be uploaded to our Instagram page soon. |
| Please know that you are not alone, and any of the below services are available.Hestia Charity’s South West London Recovery Café in Tooting, provides immediate support for adults struggling with their mental health 365 days a year.Wandsworth Crisis Line: Call 0800 028 8000.If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E now. If you need urgent help for your mental health, get help from NHS 111 online or call 111. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. You will not be wasting anyone’s time. HelplinesSamaritans – 24/7 service that is here to listen. Call 116 123 SANEline – national out-of-hours mental health helpline. Call 0300 304 7000CALM – evening helpline. Call 0800 585858National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK – evening service. Call 0800 689 5652Papyrus – young person suicide support 24/7. Call 0800 068 4141Shout – national crisis 24/7 text service. Text ‘Shout’ to 85258Mind Infoline – mental health helpline. Call 0300 123 3393 Videos for supporting wellbeing:Brazilian Boogie, Disco & Funk Playlist – YouTube Yoga for mental health – YouTube 10 minute guided meditation: self-love – YouTube |
