A gentle, welcoming space to talk, breathe, connect and simply be
Feelgood Friday is all about creating a calm, judgement‑free space where you can take a breath, slow down and spend time with people who genuinely care about your wellbeing. As part of the Ilkeston Festival, we’re opening our doors for a day of support, conversation, listening and kindness.
We know it can feel hard to walk into a new place. So:
- Take your time.
- Take a deep breath.
- Walk up the steps, or wheel up the ramp when you’re ready.
- And come on in.
At Our Crafty Place, you’re welcome exactly as you are. If all you want to do is sit on a sofa with a cuppa and quietly watch the world go by, that’s perfect. If you’d like to chat, we’re here. If you want to take part in something gentle and grounding, we’ve got that covered too.
Who you can meet
A wonderful group of local organisations will be with us throughout the day, ready to chat, listen and share what support is available. They include:
- The Will Garvey Foundation — supporting young people’s mental health and suicide prevention
- Rethink: Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service — offering mental health support for all ages
- Erewash Voluntary Action CVS — connecting people with community support, wellbeing activities, local services and many opportunities
- Live Life Better Derbyshire (DCC) – free health and wellbeing advice, including free blood pressure check up
- Kooth – online support and counselling for young people aged 11-25 years
Alongside conversations, you’ll have the chance to try gentle, calming activities designed to help you slow down, relax and reconnect with the present moment.
And of course, we’ll have refreshments available to buy, so please do stop for a cuppa.
Feelgood Friday is a reminder that you’re not alone, support is out there and you deserve space where you can feel safe.
We can’t wait to welcome you.