Churches across the Diocese of Winchester are providing a vital role in supporting mental health not just in their congregations but in our local communities too. It is estimated that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year.
Churches are providing a safe and supportive space for people to explore their problems, find tools to cope and experience the love of God. Here are some of their stories.
St John’s Church, Hartley Wintney
For the last 5 years St John’s has run a Kintsugi Hope course and in that time the church has helped over 80 people both from the congregation and the local community.
A special service of celebration was recently held to mark the 5th year of the course. It was attended by founder Patrick Regan who shared his life story and struggles with the congregation. The service was followed by a special lunch for volunteers and some of those who have taken part in the course.
The 12-week course offers a space for participants to explore mental and emotional wellbeing, provide tools for managing issues such as disappointment, loss, anxiety, anger, shame and forgiveness and what it means to have positive mental health.
Sylvia Evans-Pritchard, Pastoral Care Co-ordinator at St John’s said, “It’s really encouraging when you see people come and they’re very low and they don’t really know anyone and then they listen to other people and realise they’re not alone in how they feel, and somehow, I think it gives them hope. The course is very good at giving practical tips, not just understanding about the conditions, but things that you can do to help with anxiety or with depression or loss. It has a very positive feel about it. People can go away thinking that there is something that they can do, whereas before those feelings were overwhelming. You see by the end of the course, people who were by and large strangers at the beginning, suddenly have built strong, meaningful relationships and these often carry on after the course. People seem more confident in understanding who they are and how to manage their mental, emotional health.”
The course is run once a year over three months thanks to a team of committed volunteers. There’s one course during the day and one in the evening to offer as many people as possible the chance to join. It’s one of the church’s biggest adult outreach initiatives for those with faith and those without.
Ian and Jac Coster did the course together. Ian said, “We did the course because it was there and we wanted to experience it, but what came through was the community that formed. We all arrived and met people we didn’t know, but within a short time you find common ground and form good bonds because of the nature of what’s discussed. I look back at a helpful time but mainly the camaraderie, great leaders and the materials we were sent home with.”
Hazel has also taken part in the course. She said, “At the beginning of the course, you are told that everything you say is confidential. I found that significant and felt I could get more involved and free to share. Everyone was so caring and supportive and that meant such a lot and there was a general authenticity of love.”
The Kintsugi Hope charity was founded in 2017 with the first wellbeing courses run in 2018. Now more than 300 churches across the UK have been trained to deliver these for their communities.
Kintsugi is the Japanese art form of mending broken pottery with golden glue. It makes a feature of the cracks and the item can become more beautiful. Kintsugi Hope believes that by facing the cracks in our lives instead of trying to hide them, we can discover treasure in our scars, beauty in our brokenness and hope for the future, and to begin the journey to become the people God intends us to be.
Rathna, Jan and Pam met through the Kintsugi Hope course at St John’s in 2023.
Rathna said, “I was in a bad place after losing my Mum. My daughter noticed I was depressed and saw a notice about the course in the parish magazine. I came two days later, and it literally saved my mental health. I made new friends, and it changed my outlook on life. My family commented on how I looked happier.”
Jan said, “I’d not long been coming to St John’s and I’d recently lost my husband. I’d been away from church for a few years as he wasn’t a Christian. I’ve met new friends through the course and we continue to support each other. I was very down but I began to feel life was worth living. I used to feel “why me?” and I don’t feel that anymore. The church has pointed me in directions that have calmed me and made me feel supported. I feel like they are my family and we can all lean on each other.”
Pam added, “The course has made a huge difference to me. It’s given me coping strategies. I felt shame at the breakdown of my marriage and the course took away that shame. I’ve met other people who have a shared experience. God has brought us together and we’ve been friends ever since. It was a life changing experience.”
The three friends also attend The Well, which is a free wellbeing drop-in space for all the community on a Monday morning with tea and coffee, colouring, knitting or just a space to connect with others.
Ratna added, “I like coming to The Well to meet other people, to share our problems and do something creative. We can help each other with the big or little things in our lives. I don’t think I could manage without coming here.”
This year’s Kintsugi Hope began in January and ends at the end of March. Three quarters of the participants are from outside the church and this year more men than ever are doing the course.
“I think, it’s recognising that Jesus walks alongside those who are broken,” Sylvia adds. “Kintsugi Hope is a big investment of time. It’s a 12-week course with an hour and a half or two hour sessions but we’re putting aside time to say to people, we’re here to journey with you. I think it’s when we journey alongside people and we’re real about ourselves that they can be real with us. When we invest our time with those people and we listen to them, it shows them they’re valued, whoever they are, however they come.”
St Denys Church, Southampton
St Denys Church this year marks 10 years since it started its ‘Friendlies’ group which supports those with social isolation, anxiety, depression, addiction and other mental health concerns, welcoming people from all walks of life.
Leader Antonia set up the group in 2015 after seeing a need in the local area. She has since gained many qualifications around mental health, safeguarding and dementia care to further support those in need of help.
She said, “I think people get so much from the friendship in the group and feeling that they’re not isolated. I think that’s what makes them come back regularly because they feel part of something. What I’ve learned over the last 10 years is how groups like this break isolation and prevent loneliness. The fact that people have got somewhere to go, someone to talk to, who is trained but is also there to listen. I don’t preach, I don’t judge, I don’t criticise, I purely listen and give them pastoral care advice. I have had mental health problems myself and so I can relate to people through my lived experiences. It’s a privilege and a joy to be able to help people with such difficulties. To see what God’s done in this last 10 years is fantastic.”
She added, “The fact that you have changed somebody’s life, even if it was for 10 minutes, you’ve made them feel worthy, loved and comfortable in their own shoes when day-to-day they don’t. I want people to know that we’re here for them and no job is too big or too small. We have limits, obviously, but within reason if I can help, I will do it.”
Friendlies runs on a Monday and Thursday. Around 8 to 15 people attend each week, and many have been coming regularly for several years. Some are referred to the group by their doctor or mental health team.
The group starts with a catch up called ‘Morning Thoughts’, giving people the chance to talk through their worries and concerns, often finding support from others who are facing similar situations. There’s also an opportunity for 1-to-1 help.
Antonia added, “The reason we do ‘Morning Thoughts’ is that some people don’t talk to anybody all week and that could be the only time that they speak and pour out if they have a problem or something concerning them. It’s all confidential but everybody helps each other.”
Vicki attends the Monday sessions and said, “It’s a good place to be when you have problems. Coming here has built up my self-esteem and Antonia has really helped me. I’ve had a lot to deal with in my life, but I’ve made good friends and we all understand and care for each other. It’s a nice community.”
Tim has Parkinson’s disease and has had anxiety and depression. “We’re pretty open here and we share together what’s happening. I think being able to support others, helps me too. I enjoy being here with other people and they’ve all become good friends.”
Morning Thoughts is followed by a group word challenge, then there’s a chance for people to play games, do some colouring or a craft activity. There have also been guest speakers, workshops, exercises, baking sessions and outings. Grants have funded trips to garden centres for afternoon tea and the seaside.
Alan has a long-term illness and is unable to work and came to the group 8 years ago to meet new people and now also helps out. “This group means a lot to me and without it I would struggle. There’s great understanding and support.”
Revd Sera Rumble said, “In a society where social isolation is an increasing problem and where there’s a wide range of mental health challenges, to have a solid, reliable, constant presence where week by week people can come together, know they can find friendship, know they can find support, know they can find understanding, is crucial. It’s giving them that reliability, that safe space, that understanding and acceptance, that sense of not being judged but being valued and accepted.”
“I think we are expressing Christ’s love to people in many different ways and if the need around us is mental health issues, we need to be here doing what we can. We cannot do everything. We have the motto of warmth, respect, compassion and limits. We know we are limited, but what we can do is offer something like this group to people who need it and who are part of the community.”
St Wins Church, Totton
The Pillar is a church-lead mental health project for young people aged 11 to 18 years of age, based at St Wins Church in Totton. The Pillar aims to equip churches to provide mental health support to young people, by combining evidence-based mental health interventions and a relationship with Jesus. The project is led by Christians who are health or social care professionals, alongside a team of volunteers.
One volunteer said, “I love being part of The Pillar. As a young person I often wished that I had a safe space to be with safe people. I consider it a great privilege to spend time with young people and talk with them about whatever is on their minds.”
The Pillar projects include The Pillar Space which is weekly after school drop-in, emotional and practical skills sessions and work experience programmes. Young people also have the opportunity to empower other young people via The Pillar Stories, where they learn to share their experiences through spoken word, song writing, art and film making.
Since the project launched in 2023, it has grown and now sees 25 young people attend The Pillar Space; some of these young people have been keen to explore who Jesus is, and what Christianity means for them. Young people have started attending Friday youth ministry at St Wins, and 8 now regularly attend Sunday Services. Over the Summer, young people from non-church families attended Focus Festival with St Wins, and one was baptised at the end of 2024.
One young person commented, “I went to The Pillar where I grew so much as a person and felt like I really was meant to be in the church. Since coming to church, Jesus has shown me that I can change for the better. I have been healthier physically and mentally; I’m such a happier version of myself after meeting God.”
In January this year, The Pillar expanded by partnering with and supporting the launch of The Pillar Space at Lords Hill Church in Southampton.
Project Co-Lead Tori Reid said, “By attending The Pillar, young people begin to believe that they belong, are valued, have purpose and can bring change to others. Our prayer is that we continue to see God move in young people’s lives at St Wins and Lords Hill throughout 2025 and beyond. The Pillar takes referrals for young people who live or attend school/college in Totton, Lordshill or the surrounding areas. To find out more, visit https://stwins.org/thepillar.”
Dibden Churches
St Andrew’s Church in Dibden Purlieu hosted a mental health friendly church training day, welcoming people from the church and across Southampton Waterside.
It was a chance for particpants to gain more understanding and awareness of mental health conditions and explore how the church can make a difference by helping to erase the stigma surrounding mental health, provide support and a safe space for those who are struggling. The course was run by Kintsugi Hope.
Fiona Needham is the church’s Kintsugi Hope leader. She said, “I think in terms of mental health; we have become much more aware of the issues people face. I think it was highlighted with the COVID pandemic and that has brought it to the forefront of people’s minds. I think it’s important to understand a little bit more about the kinds of things that people face and the feelings that they have. I know as a church we have people coming in every week who are facing some form of mental health crisis and it’s important that we know how to help and support them. It’s good to have this training day so that across the Waterside we can equip people. For them to commit to a day’s training shows just how passionate people are to help.”
The training day involved pastoral workers, small group leaders and others involved in caring or support roles within their church both with the young and old.
One of the participants said, “I have a history of anxiety and depression and I’ve been well now for 12 years so it’s something that’s really close to my heart. I think there’s still too much stigma attached to mental health. I work at the church here and I think it would be good to have more insight into how I can support people that come into the church that maybe need help in that area.”
Moira is from St Andrew’s Church and attended the training day. She works with children and young people and is also a befriender in a local care home. She said, “There are so many people particularly the young who are struggling with their mental health in our community and in the world. To have someone who can understand, can listen, love and come alongside them is so important. It’s often the ones who need help who don’t ask for it. It’s important to be able to encourage them and reach out to them and be able to address their needs. I think it’s important that the church is involved as we want people to see God as part of the solution. Faith can help them through these difficult times. I know it has changed my life.”
Anne had come along with her husband. “I help run a group for families who are dealing with drug and alcohol addiction and quite often those families have mental health issues. I thought it would be interesting to learn a bit more about how to help people in that journey. As a church, we’re often the place that people turn to, and Jesus has the answer for all our needs and from that comes healing and wholeness and love.”
This is the first training day held at St Andrew’s, but the church is now in its third year of running Kintsugi Hope courses which have already helped around 25 people. One of the groups still meets once a month to support one another, others chat over WhatsApp.
Fiona added, “We’ve had people who, even though they didn’t say very much when they were in the group, have finished the 12 sessions and said how much it has impacted their life. There have been people who have said that a little nugget from one of the sessions really struck them and that has been something that they’ve held on to. I rely so much on the Holy Spirit leading me as I prepare for these courses and I think that’s so important because at the end of the day, it’s not my group, it’s God’s group and it’s all about what God wants to do in people’s lives.”
The Diocese of Winchester is running a two-day Mental Health First Aid Training course for clergy. Find more information here: Mental Health First Aid – Diocese of Winchester
