Our Services - Updated May 2021
⚠️ IMPORTANT INFORMATION ⚠️

Advance Brighter Futures (ABF) is committed to provide the best support we can while following the government guidance during this uncertain climate.

It is okay to feel low, worried or anxious, or concerned about your finances, your health or those close to you. Everyone reacts in their own way to challenging events and uncertainty. It is important to remember that following the government guidelines may be difficult, but you are helping to protect yourself and others by doing so.

As a result of these unprecedented times, we have adapted (and will continue to adapt) our services for the foreseeable future. We are still accepting referrals and want to reassure you that we can still be contacted by telephone or email.

You can keep updated by signing up to our mailing list, or visiting Facebook, Twitter or our website. We predominately continue to provide support by telephone, social media and video conferencing (with options to do so by video, audio, or both).

Our building is currently open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays but, until such a time that we can safely reopen, there will be a longer waiting list for face-to-face appointments.

All of the services are clearly labelled with the correct admission criteria but please call 01978 364777 or email info@abfwxm.co.uk if you require further clarification or more information.

Tools and Strategies for Coping and Resilience or for Helping Others

Please note: We may have to postpone the dates of any planned courses if we do not receive sufficient interest.

COMING SOON: Five to Thrive

Learn 5 actions we can all take that can help improve mental health and enable us to thrive in life.

This FREE 6 week course is aimed at anyone who is unemployed or over 50.

• Session 1: Introduction to the nationally recognised '5 Ways to Wellbeing' developed by the New Economics Foundation. In this session, you will also explore what wellbeing means to you.
• Session 2: Giving promotes cooperation and social connection. This session reveals why we enjoy giving; whether that is through volunteering, helping a neighbour or giving a gift. It turns out it’s actually good for us too.
• Session 3: Relating to others is a human instinct. Understand how connecting with others is in fact intrinsic to your overall wellbeing.
• Session 4: Exercise is scientifically proven to improve physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This session explores how you can make small, sustainable changes to integrate more exercise into your life.
• Session 5: Appreciating things is linked to positive wellbeing and overall happiness. This session encourages you to really take notice of the world around you, be in the present moment and to pay attention to what you are grateful for.
• Session 6: Trying something new keeps your mind active. Identify the benefits of learning something new in this session and make a plan how you can implement each of the '5 Ways to Wellbeing' into your life.

6 weekly sessions (times/dates to be confirmed)
Access online via Zoom video conferencing software*
Cost: FREE

* Participants will first be required to sign up for a free account and then download the software. Instructions to be received via email.

To register your interest, please call 01978 364777 or email courses@abfwxm.co.uk.

Helping with Mild to Moderate Mental Health Difficulties

Please note: If you are interested in any of the courses listed below, we encourage you to contact us as this helps us plan appropriate times and dates. Even if no sessions are currently available for the course(s) that appeal(s) to you, we will put something on as soon as we can if we know there is sufficient interest. Please also be aware that we may have to postpone the following courses if we do not receive enough numbers to deliver the sessions.

 Building Confidence and Self-esteem (Group Sessions)*

This course involves a series of interactive sessions intended to help you accept and feel better about yourself. You will gain an understanding of how and why low self-esteem develops and becomes a part of your identity and discover what you can do to change the fundamental core beliefs at the heart of the way you see yourself. You will also gain tools that will help you maintain a healthy self-esteem, improving the way you think about yourself and your life.

6 weekly sessions from 31^st March - 5^th May 2021
Wednesdays | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Access online via Zoom video conferencing software†

 NEW: Managing Stress and Anxiety (Group Sessions)

This course is made up of interactive workshops designed to help you manage difficult emotional states.  During the interactive sessions you will get to explore and understand more about what is causing your stress and why you are getting anxious.  You will discover how to change the way you are thinking about this and also learn some great practical ways to help you relax and reduce the stress and anxiety you are experiencing.

6 weekly sessions from 26^th May - 30^th June 2021
Wednesdays | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
3 Belmont Road | Wrexham LL13 7PW‡ 

 COMING SOON: Mindfulness (Group Sessions)

This is an experiential course, i.e. learning through the reflection of doing, which allows you to develop greater self-awareness, live fully in the moment and be more in touch with yourself. Practicing with a number of techniques and approaches, you will be able to integrate mindfulness into all aspects of your life and realise the benefits. The course runs for 2½ hours each week and includes one full day of practice. Manual and guided practice CDs are provided to support you at home and in your ongoing mindfulness development.

8 weekly sessions from 10^th June - 29^th July 2021
Thursdays | 6:30pm - 9:00pm
3 Belmont Road | Wrexham LL13 7PW‡  

 COMING LATE SUMMER: Dealing with Depression (Group Sessions)

This course is highly interactive and designed to give you an overview and understanding of your depression. Providing you with an insight into the importance of the link between your thinking and the way you are feeling, you will identify the depressive thoughts and actions that keep you in a negative place. You will also discover tried and tested tools and strategies to help you challenge and change your thoughts to enable you to manage your depression.

6 weekly sessions from 8^th September - 13^th October 2021
Wednesdays | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
3 Belmont Road | Wrexham LL13 7PW‡  

† Participants will first be required to sign up for a free account and then download the software. Instructions to be received via email.

‡ Please be aware that these sessions may also have to be facilitated via Zoom video conferencing software rather than at our venue. You will receive confirmation on our decision regarding this nearer the time.

* Course has now started. To register your interest, please call 01978 364777 or email courses@abfwxm.co.uk. Please bear in mind that a telephone assessment from Parabl will still be required before you can attend these sessions.

 

Online Sessions Shaped by You to Make Connections

Additional Support for Parents

PRAMS (Parental Resilience And Mutual Support) is available for mothers and fathers who would like some additional support through the challenges of early parenthood. As many as 10% of all new parents experience periods of feeling low following the birth of their baby and the service is particularly suited to help people find their feet in these times. We currently offer various forms of support that provide the opportunity to talk and learn about emotional wellbeing and resilience.

 COMING NEXT MONTH: PRAMS Group (incorporating 'You & Your Baby' sessions)*

'You & Your Baby' involves several FREE weekly sessions aimed at challenging negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours and making lasting, positive changes in your life. The group also provides a great opportunity to meet other parents online.

6 weekly sessions from 10^th May - 14^th June 2021
Mondays | 10:30am - 12:00pm
Access online via Zoom video conferencing software†

COMING NEXT MONTH: PRAMS Group (incorporating 'You & Your Bump' sessions)
 

Expectant parents can learn more about getting the most out of their pre-natal experience while making friends in an informal setting online.

'You & Your Bump' involves several FREE weekly sessions aimed at improving how you feel so that you enjoy your pregnancy and future life as a parent. The group also provides a great opportunity to connect with other people online preparing for parenthood.

• Session 1: Expectations, Should's and Ought's
• Session 2: Understanding your feelings
• Session 3: The Vicious Cycle
• Session 4: Bonding with your baby
• Session 5: Planning for the arrival

5 weekly sessions from 10^th May - 7^th June 2021
Mondays | 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Access online via Zoom video conferencing software†

Facebook Support Group

This online Facebook group provides the opportunity to catch up or refresh your learning. If you are new to PRAMS, you can join anytime and meet others that have already attended the project and find out how they have benefited.

Access online through the Advance Brighter Futures - PRAMS Facebook Group (Facebook account will be required)

Monthly Support Group

This monthly group provides the opportunity to have an informal meet up via live video link.

Tuesday 4^th May 2021 | 10:30am - 11:30am
Access online here (tinyurl.com/wmzum7s4) via Zoom video conferencing software† (Meeting ID: 967950 | Passcode: 967950)

Coffee and Conversation

Put the kettle on and join in for an online chat in a relaxing and supportive atmosphere.

Tuesday 11^th May 2021 | 10:30am - 11:30am
Access online here (tinyurl.com/wmzum7s4) via Zoom video conferencing software† (Meeting ID: 955 5400 9488 | Passcode: 413986)
 

One-to-one Talking Therapy‡

This service gives you an opportunity to talk confidentially without judgement. Talking therapy is great for those who may struggle in groups or would benefit from talking through more complex issues.

Please note: Face-to-face appointments will be introduced incrementally in order to avoid high volume or density at our premises so the waiting list will be longer than for virtual meetings. If you would prefer to avoid a longer waiting time and access this service via video link, you will either require a phone or internet connection with Zoom video conferencing software installed on your device†.

Supporting Family Relationship (Couples Counselling)‡

This service provides up to 12 sessions of therapeutic counselling with a fully qualified therapist for families whose relationships may have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The service can be provided over internet, video or face-to-face.  

The main intended outcome of the service is to help individuals and couples develop more resilient mental health to benefit the relationships in their family unit.  

If you are making a self-referral to this project, Wrexham Family Information Service will be able to assist you with completing the referral form. Please contact them on 01978 292094, or email fis@wrexham.gov.uk.

* Referrals are accepted from parents with babies who are not yet walking.

† Participants will first be required to sign up for a free account and then download the software. Instructions to be received via email.

‡ This service is targeted at parents with mild to moderate mental health difficulties who have children under the age of 16. As it is considered more of an early intervention approach, this particular service is not accessible to people already receiving support from the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT).

To find out more, please call 01978 364777 or email info@abfwxm.co.uk.