This is a brief outline of how our group operates. Hopefully it will help you to decide whether the group would suit you and give you some idea of what to expect when you come for the first time.
Who we are
We are one of over 50 peer support groups originally set up by the national charity Depression Alliance which merged with Mind in 2016. We now run as an independent, not-for-profit voluntary group. We have been meeting in Barnet for nearly 30 years (since 1997), with the sole aim of providing peer support to fellow sufferers of depression and depression with anxiety. The emphasis is on self-help, and the group is not a therapy group. All members of the group, including the group organisers, have suffered from depression.
Where and when we meet
We now meet twice a month – at a venue in North Finchley on a Tuesday evening, and online (via Zoom) on a Monday evening. In addition, we also run a programme of social activities. The full timetable of meetings is given in our newsletter which is issued three times a year.
What we do
Our meetings vary in their format. Most of our Tuesday meetings will feature a planned activity e.g. a group discussion, video, talk by a guest speaker or one of our members with a break for tea or coffee in the middle. After refreshments, we divide into small groups and have a “check-in” time where members can share how they are coping with depression. At our online Monday meetings, the entire time is devoted to “check-in” with a short comfort break in the middle. We also arrange regular socials to give people a chance to get to know each other better. Socials include meals out, an annual summer “bring and share” supper, walks, cinema outings and coffee meetups. Many members also meet up socially outside of the group.
Resources provided by the group
Newsletter: Our newsletter, which is issued three times a year, gives full details of forthcoming meetings and socials with particular emphasis on events and resources available in Barnet.
Email list: we also have an email distribution list where we send members meeting reminders and updates. We also send out other relevant items of interest some of which relate to events in Barnet or news items about depression. Emails are sent using blind copy and members can opt in or out of the email list at any time.
Group library: We have a small library of books, magazines, and leaflets on depression and related subjects which regular attendees are welcome to borrow.
Website: Our website gives an overview of the group including forthcoming meetings. You can also read our Annual Reports which give information on group activities year by year. There is a facility to contact us via the website if required, or we can be contacted directly by email. Our resource lists (detailed below) are also available on this website.
Local resources lists including our Low-cost counselling list: Barnet DA produces several lists detailing current resources available in Barnet and nearby which may be of interest to people suffering from depression. One of the most popular is our Low-cost counselling list. We also have a list of depression resources available as well. These can be found and downloaded from this website.
Joining the group
The group is open to any adult (18+) who lives in Barnet and suffers from clinical depression. We regret we cannot accommodate carers. We currently have about fifty people on our mailing list, and while there is a core of regular attendees, we automatically remove people from the mailing list if we have not seen them in the past six months. The number of people attending meetings varies but if numbers get too large, we divide into smaller groups. Please note that the group is not a drop-in – we need to speak to you first and will then arrange to send you an information pack. You can send us an email from the contact form on this website.
How the group is run
The group is led by a group organiser with the help of a small committee of longstanding group members. Group organisers were originally vetted by the former charity Depression Alliance (which later merged with Mind) and all have been DBS checked. The group was supported financially by Barnet Council until March 2026. We are currently self-funding and are relying on member voluntary contributions while we seek alternative funding.
Confidentiality policy
Within the group we emphasise the importance of complete confidentiality. No personal information that is shared within the group should be repeated to anyone outside. Members’ names, addresses and ‘phone numbers are held by the group organiser and are seen only by the group organiser and one committee member who manages the group phone. We never give out any personal details without permission from the person concerned. However, in very exceptional circumstances the group organisers may breach confidentiality if there is an immediate risk of serious harm occurring to someone. We ask group members to discuss any such concerns with the group organiser or committee in the first instance.
Contribution towards room rental and refreshments
We ask members for a small voluntary contribution (suggested amount is £2 per person per meeting) to help to cover our costs. However, for anyone who finds this difficult we ask you to contribute whatever you can afford. Copies of our accounts are made available to all members at our AGM and full accounts are available for inspection by any member upon request. They are also available on our website AGM reports.
Coming along for the first time
We do appreciate how very difficult it can be to walk into a room of strangers for the first time, particularly if you are feeling depressed and anxious. It is for this reason that we offer to meet newcomers one-to-one 20 minutes before the face-to-face meetings (at 7:10 pm) if this would be helpful. For the Zoom meetings newcomers are invited to join us 15 minutes early (at 7:45 pm) if this is helpful. Otherwise feel free to join us at the start of the meeting. You will be made very welcome, and we hope you will find some solace in finding yourself in the company of people who know first-hand what it is like to experience depression. Please feel free to phone or email us if you have any queries. We do hope that you will find the group helpful, and we look forward to seeing you at a meeting soon.
Page last updated on 06/05/2026
Barnet Depression Alliance 