Centre Activities

Self-organised and supported activities structures the week at Middle Street. In the 1970s, activities were run by occupational therapists and focussed on mental health recovery. Since 2015, the programme has been run by volunteers and is called the Mindset programme. From a relaxation group to gamelan drumming, from music appreciation to walking, activities at Middle Street support mental health, and the programme follows the interests and talents of Middle Street’s members. 

“Well, at first, I was just doing the poetry group. And then, because I’ve managed to get a bit of improvement on my mental health, I wanted to do some on my physical. So I started doing the walking group, which was just short, local walks, nothing strenuous. It seemed perfect for me, and got me out in fresh air and meeting a few new people. As well as helping my physical condition a bit, it also helped my confidence in meeting and talking to people.”

Centre user


“There’s a big music community here as well. And things like music, communicate on transcendental levels. So it’s really a question of, a mood that can be created, so we often have events here where music’s featured, as is poetry. ”

Staff member


“A woman from the craft group took great pride in showing me a folder in which she kept all of her creative inspiration and projects. She told me about several different projects, what they meant to her and how much being creative helps to occupy her mind, helping her to cope with the difficulties she has faced in life. Each project in her folder marked a key memory in her personal life. Visiting the craft group at Middle Street helped her to stay focused on her projects.”

Lauren, Artist