Our group is managed by the Barnsley Assertive Outreach Team, but is open to anyone who hears, sees or senses things others don’t.

If you would like to find out more about our group, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

A new Hearing Voices Group in Bedford launched on 8th April, 2015.

The group takes place at 1pm – 2pm, at Scott Hall Community Centre in Bedford.

For more information, please contact John or Clair on 07955 341 820 / bedfordhearingvoicesgroup@gmail.com

Download: Bedford Hearing Voices Group Flyer

This group is open to people who use the services of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, only. Please contact Hannah for more information.

Note: The group currently meets online

Hearing Voices Bognor aims to run a self-help group for people who hear voices, or who have visions, tactile sensations or other sensory experiences. In line with the national Hearing Voices Network’s approach, the purpose of the groups is to provide an opportunity for people who have (had) such experiences to talk freely about them together, and to support those who seek to understand, learn and grow from them in their own way.

Please come along if you would like to:

• Meet others with similar experiences
• Talk openly about experiences in a respectful, safe and supportive setting, without being labelled ‘ill’ or ‘psychotic’
• Reduce isolation and socialise
• Share and learn new ways of coping with difficulties

The group runs entirely independently of mainstream mental health services, and is not for the purposes of ‘assessing’, ‘monitoring’ or ‘treating’ so-called ‘symptoms’.

The group is facilitated, but not ‘led’ by the facilitators. Group members will have a big part to play in shaping the group to fit with what they need and want.

It is an open, drop-in group, which means that you can join at any time and come as often or as little as you want to.

We are also looking for facilitators, service users who are willing to commit to helping run the group some weeks.

If you are interested in being kept informed about the groups’ sessions, please get in touch with your contact details or just come along

People wanting to join this group are welcome to self refer – they can contact Marc on the details above.

They say:

Aims of The Hearing Voices Groups

Hearing Voices Groups offer a safe place for people to feel accepted and comfortable sharing their experiences of voices, visions, tactile sensations and other unusual experiences and perceptions. People meet together to help and support each other, to exchange information, and to learn from one another. Groups also offer an opportunity for people to accept and “live with voices” in a way that enables them to regain some control over their lives.

We feel that the group provides a great transition for those who may be discharged from your services as it will help prevent relapse into poor mental health.

Who Might benefit from the Group?

As a part of Mind, we hope to create an open and inclusive group that will support anybody who experiences of voices, visions, tactile sensations and other unusual experiences and perceptions.

People who have these experiences may have a diagnosis of –

• psychosis
• schizophrenia
• bipolar disorder
• severe depression
• Schizoaffective disorder

Alternatively, the experiences may not be connected to these diagnosis but as a result of things like – Bullying, Bereavement or Trauma.

The aim of BHVN is to promote positive explanations of voice hearing, intrusive thoughts, and other unusual experiences, and to give people a framework for developing their own ways of coping. In order to cope with their experiences people need to take control over their voices/ intrusive thoughts, and regain some power over their lives.

No referral necessary: just turn up!

Do feel free to contact us (see Find Us) to say you might be coming.

The facilitator will be there before the meeting, from 2.30 for 3pm start.

For more information,

Email: bristol.hearingvoices@outlook.com

Bristol Hearing Voices Network (BHVN) offer training.

Covering Voice Hearing and other unusual experiences.

• Give people an understanding so they can approach Voice Hearers with some empathy.
• Dispel misconceptions of the Voice Hearing experience. STIGMA.
• A perception of a Voice Hearing experience outside the medical model.
• Not seeing the experience as an illness.
• A different view of a disability.
• The joys, perils and pitfalls of Hearing Voices.
• Medication – a magic wand?
• Exploring where Voices come from.
• Delusions and Hearing Voices.
• Coping strategies.
• The efficacy of a Self-Help Group.
• What is a Voice Hearing experience?
• Types of Voices and unusual experiences.
• Unusual experiences relating to the use of street drugs and alcohol.

Quotes from trainees:

“Yeah it (training) went really well, very well attended and we have received a lot of very good feedback from service users who have commentated on how much they got out of it”- Simon Dix, Second Step.

“It was a pleasure to hear two speakers from The Bristol Hearing Voices Network give their own personal accounts of their experiences and what their voice hearing means to them. The informal setting helped in being able to hear particularly human stories told in very human ways” – Psychiatry Trainees Forum, November 2013

“Really enjoyed the Bristol Hearing Voices Network. Really interesting and challenging perspective. Liked having guest speakers who can challenge the accepted wisdom…” – Psychiatry Trainees Forum, November 2013

For more information and training rates/cost, please contact Don Swift – 07748638766 and or e-mail – bristol.hearingvoices@outlook.com

The SLAM Bethlem Adolescent Unit’s Voice Collective Group is a partnership between Mind in Camden’s Voice Collective project and South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

The group, running every Monday at 4.15pm for one hour, is open to inpatients at the unit to self-identify as hearing voices, seeing visions or having other unusual sensory experiences.

The group provides a safe and confidential (within limits) space for young people to share their experiences, support one another and find ways of dealing with distressing experiences. As this group is only available to inpatients, it has strong links to the Voice Collective project (www.voicecollective.co.uk) so that young people can access support on leaving hospital too.

I always felt that the voices were stronger than me. They ran my life. The group has given me the strength I need to stand up to them.

Did You Know …?

• Around 1 in 5 young people hear voices at some point in their lives.
• Lady GaGa, Carlos Santana, Gandhi, St Joan of Arc, Johnny Vegas and John Frusciante (ex Red Hot Chili Peppers) have all talked about hearing voices.
• In some cultures, hearing voices is seen as a special gift.
• But, sometimes (especially if the voices are critical, overpowering or confusing) they can cause problems.
• No matter how scary the voices or visions are, people can – and do – recover.

This Peer Support Group Is:

Confidential (unless your safety is at immediate risk); Open to different ways of understanding voices & visions; Optional (you can talk about whatever you feel OK with – not just voices & visions); Space for you to feel heard, believed & accepted.

Who Can Come?

The group is open to young people (aged 16-25) who hear voices, see visions or have other unusual sensory experiences.

It is free and open to young people no matter where they live.

How To Join

If you’d like to come along, or just want to find out more about the group, get in touch. You can contact us at: referrals@mindincamden.org.uk or 020 7241 8973.

Download: Group Flyer

A Safe Space to Share Taboo Experiences

Chester Hearing Voices is a support groups run for voice hearers by voice hearers.

If you are a voice hearer, or experience other unusual sensations and are interested in joining us please drop in to one of our regular meetings.

Chester Hearing Voices is supported by:

• Mind in Chester
• Cheshire & West Cheshire Council
• Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Download: Chester HV Poster

The Cleveleys Hearing Voices Support Group (formerly known as the Fleetwood Hearing Voices Group) launched on 1st November 2011.

It now runs monthly, offering a safe space for people who hear voices, see visions or have other unusual sensory experiences to meet and develop coping strategies and support.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Michael directly.

Hearing voices groups offer support to people experiencing auditory and other sensory hallucinations and explore matters of interest and importance of them. The networks operate outside the medical model- groups are safe confidential space.

Other groups operate in other parts of cornwall. Please see below for details.

This group meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, from 7 – 9pm.

It is open to people from all areas, and it’s OK just to turn up. No referral is needed.

As they sometimes plan activities, it is helpful to contact them before attending to make sure you that you have the right details.

Note: This group is currently running online (via Zoom)

Do you hear voices, see visions or have experiences that other people don?t? Or do you/have you cared for someone who has had these experiences? If so, this group might be for you.

Derby Hearing Voices Group aims to give people a safe, non-judgmental space to talk about voice hearing experiences and to support each other. We also involve carers and supporters, as their experiences are just as important. We have a recovery focus and aim to help people achieve a quality of life, whatever their circumstances.

We are part of the Hearing Voices Network and promote the aims of raising awareness, breaking down stigma and encouraging a positive response to voice-hearing.

At the moment the group meets online. It is run by Derby City Life Links.

You can find out more by contacting City Links. You can book a space on the online group using Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hearing-voices-peer-support-group-tickets-122225454625?aff=

Derby Hearing Voices Network Group are looking to recruit peer supporters who can help facilitate the sessions. We are interested in finding people who have lived experience of hearing voices, seeing visions and/or sensing things other people don’t. We are also keen to include carers and supporters who would like to help run the groups.

In return for your free time, we offer a range of benefits including access to high quality training.

If you think you have the skills for the role and want to apply, please get in touch today. Alternatively, you can find all the application information you need on our volunteer webpage.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Check out their A-Z of coping strategies (created by members): https://derbycitylifelinks.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/A-Z-coping-strategies-HV.pdf

Talking Heads is a group for people who hear, see and believe things that other people do not (such as hearing voices).

People with these experiences are seen as the experts in their own experiences. Talking Heads offers a place for people to support each other and share their experiences and knowledge. The group is based on the principles of the Hearing Voices Network.

Group members have agreed to treat people respectfully and keep conversations in the group confidential.

What happens at the Groups?

Some topics that have been talked about in the group are:

• What it’s like to hear voices
• Coping strategies; how people manage their experiences day to day
• Helping and supporting one another at times of distress
• Medication
• Making the most of the mental health service
• Overcoming difficulties or stigma
• How family and friends may react to voices or unusual experiences

Who can come?

There are Talking Heads Groups meeting in Hull, Driffield, Goole and Pocklington.

People who have attended Talking Heads Groups have found it helpful and reassuring; realising they are not alone with their experiences.  The Talking Heads group is open to anyone who hears voices, has visions and/or experiences unusual beliefs. People can come to whichever dates they choose. There is no need for a referral.

This group welcomes both self-referrals and referrals.

It is open to people from either Enfield or Haringey.

To find out more, please contact Mind in Enfield.