Q. Are you able to tell us a bit about yourself?

Hoi Yin: Hey! My name is HoiYin, and I’ve been working as a Good Lie Facilitator for the Good Life Service at CPSL Mind for almost six years. I have worked in various roles to help and support individuals to understand their needs, working both in groups and on a 1-1 basis.

After studying health and social care in college, I decided to develop my knowledge and skills in mental health. I chose to study clinical psychology for my undergraduate degree at Anglia Ruskin University. I found my passion and self-worth at CPSL Mind while volunteering and in my current role as a Good Life Service Facilitator. I further developed my skills by doing a lot of research, using my knowledge that I learnt at university and listening to podcasts to understand more about mindfulness and how I could improve the experience of the calm space at CPSL Mind.

Delivering the calm space sessions is really enjoyable and I am grateful to those people who have attended so far. I am always looking to challenge myself and to continue my learning and I am currently studying a master’s degree in psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy and the University of Essex. When I’m not working or studying, I am normally found at the gym or outside exploring some good food and natural scenery.

Q. How can the CPSL Mind calm space support positive mental health?

Hoi Yin: Our calm space sessions are there to practice mindfulness exercises as a group, with facilitator guidance. Mindfulness helps us to be more grounded in the present and enables us to be more aware of how we feel mentally and physically. But, most importantly, being non-judgemental to your own self. So, we are reconnecting the simple moments in life to rediscover a sense of peace and enjoyment. Here are a few of the benefits:

• The calm spaces are there to help bring about valuable changes and health improvement in yourself.
• It is a way to connect with facilitators like me and other people in the group.
• The benefits of mindfulness can increase experience of calm and relaxation, bring higher level of energy and enthusiasm for living, increase self-confidence and self-acceptance, reduce negative impacts stress, depression and anxiety, and bringing more compassion in yourself and for others.

 Q. Are you able to share some insight into how the calm space sessions are structured?

Hoi Yin: Before the session, we recommend you find a room where it is quiet and comfortable. You can either lay down on the bed or sit in your comfy lounge chair or you could be outside in your garden if it is sunny and warm. The benefit of our calm space is that you can join us from the comfort of your own home and no travelling is needed. We would mute all mics to prevent any distractions throughout the session. You are welcome to have your cameras on or off throughout the session to make yourself feel more comfortable.

So, we would normally start off with check ins to see how you are. Then we would go into four different mindfulness exercises.

We’ll begin with a body scan or a muscle relaxation exercise. This is a way to check in with yourself, noticing how you feel and observing any sensations or changes throughout your body. After that, we’ll move on to a sensory exercise, where we engage all five senses to practice being fully present. This can be especially helpful when our minds are cluttered with thoughts, making it difficult to focus, which can increase feelings of anxiety and stress. By bringing our attention back to the present moment, rather than getting caught up in thoughts about the past or future, we can enhance our focus on whatever we’re doing right now.

Next, we’ll transition into a visualisation exercise. This practice allows you to mentally transport yourself to a calming, imaginary place—like a beach, an island, or any location that feels peaceful to you. My personal favourite is visualising a meadow, because I love camping and being surrounded by lush, green forests. Visualisation is a wonderful way to calm a busy mind—it’s like taking a mental vacation.

Finally, we’ll wrap up with a breathing exercise. Breathing is essential for grounding ourselves, helping us regain control over our thoughts and release the tension we’re carrying in our bodies.

These sessions can be practiced at any time and these sessions are guidance to learn how to practice mindfulness techniques.

Q. If I’m interested in coming along, what else do I need to know?

Hoi Yin: The calm space is a safe and confidential space. It is an open friendly group. It is also FREE. However, it is not a crisis support or peer support. It is a space to learn and practice mindfulness together.

I am here to guide you using my own knowledge and experience about mindfulness from the past. We have a number of facilitators, and each calm space session varies because our facilitators bring their own unique experience to the session.

If you are looking for something to do on the last Friday of the month in the afternoon, if you want to learn how to feel calm in a stressful event, or you are struggling to focus in the present and need a distraction, then this is a good space and opportunity to try our calm spaces.

There are no requirements to join this group. Anyone is always welcomed.

The calm space starts EVERY LAST Friday of the month at 1pm – 2pm. Be sure to add it onto your calendars so you don’t forget!

CPSL Mind also runs in-person sessions in the community. Our session times do change from time to time, so the best thing to do is to get touch to find out more. Please email goodlife@cpslmind.org.uk or you can register online here.