What is Renew HG1?

Renew HG1 is one of the 100+ Renew Wellbeing café style spaces, inspired by the umbrella organisation Renew Wellbeing, who help churches around the country offer an outlet to promote both emotional and mental wellbeing. Renew HG1 is hosted by Harrogate Baptist Church.

There are 3 key aspects to all Renew Wellbeing spaces:

Being present - we want Renew HG1 to be a respectful and quiet space where everyone feels welcomed and accepted. But also, a shared environment. There are no ‘clients’ but hosts and regulars - everyone has struggles and each of us needs to attend to our wellbeing.  We recognise that every person who comes through the door has gifts of head, hands and heart to share with others, where we can each both give and receive because we’re in this together.

Being prayerful - at the heart of Renew HG1 is a simple pattern of reflective prayer and Christian meditation, to make space for the spiritual aspect of wellbeing. Everyone is welcome to join our short meditations, but there is absolutely no obligation. 

Being in partnership - we’re not a service and we’re not qualified professionals or trained counsellors so we value and need partnership with mental health and other services, charities and organisations to help us be a quiet, valued, safe outlet, useful for and used by the community. We also want to have lots of helpful signposting information where additional help can be provided, if required. If you’re in this field and want to know more about partnership working we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch by emailing renewhg1@gmail.com so we can discuss how we may be able to work together.

When is Renew HG1 open and where is it?  

Renew HG1 officially launched on Monday 13th September and runs every week from 10.30am-12 noon here in our community hall.  You can find Renew HG1 at Harrogate Baptist Church Community Hall, Marlborough Road entrance, Harrogate HG1 5AL.  

Who is Renew HG1 for?

Renew HG1 is for anyone but is particularly relevant if you are an adult who:

• needs to see some friendly faces on a regular basis,
• is feeling lonely, anxious, isolated or worried
• wants to take part in something
• would like to have somewhere to go
• is experiencing mental health difficulties

What happens at Renew HG1?

It's really up to you in terms of what you want to take part in, but at every session, there will always be:

• a warm welcome and friendly smile for you
• free tea, filter coffee and treats for you to enjoy
• a quiet area if you just want to reflect
• newspapers to read
• colouring and a craft table to have a go at, if you're feeling creative
• puzzle and games if you want to test your brain
• someone to listen if you do want to chat
• the opportunity to take part in a short 10 minute reflection time around 11.15am.  This is entirely optional.  

 

Renew HG1 testimonials 

Here are just a few examples of feedback we've received from those who attend our session:

“I’ve been so grateful for Renew HG1 this past year. It’s helped me get through some difficult times.”

“I’m so glad I found Renew HG1. It’s the one place I always want to come every week and I try my best not to miss a session. I love it so much because the people there are very kind and welcoming. Their warm smiles give me exactly what I need to see.”

“I come to Renew HG1 just to chat. I love talking to people and this group has given me the opportunity to do what I love.

We now also host Youth Renew on a Tuesday. Aimed at High School aged young people, it offers a place of safety, a warm welcoming environment and a place to de-stress. There’s great free hot chocolate on offer too!  For more information, visit our standalone Renew HG1 website - here's the link.