Reading Groups in Libraries
Reading groups are fun and rewarding and they change the private and personal experience of reading into a shared one.
This event runs every month
Nottingham Mental Health Awareness Weeks
Monday 5 to Friday 16 October
Location:
Basford Library,
Bilborough Library,
Bulwell Riverside Library,
Clifton Library,
Dales Centre Library,
Hyson Green Library – Mary Potter Centre,
Nottingham Central Library,
Radford-Lenton Library,
Sherwood Library,
Southglade Park Library,
St Ann’s Valley Library,
Strelley Road Library,
The Meadows Library,
Wollaton Library
When:
Monday 5 October to Friday 16 October
All about mental health in Nottingham!
We’re again supporting this annual awareness fortnight with a varied programme of events and activities – read on for all the details!
For more information about Nottingham Mental Health Awareness Weeks, and to see the full programme of events, visit their website below.
Meet Notts Talking Therapies
Feeling low, anxious or stressed and wonder if Talking Therapies is for you? Drop in to find out more about the service and what it can offer you.
Hyson Green Library | Tuesday 6 October | 9.30am to 11.30am
Bulwell Riverside Library | Monday 12 October | 9.30am to 11.30am
Sherwood Library | Tuesday 13 October | 10am to 12pm
Mindful Sketching with Niche Artefact
Tuesday 6 October, 3pm to 5pm | Nottingham Central Library
Drop-in session, no booking required.
Step away from the noise and reconnect with your creativity in our drop-in Mindful Sketching Workshop. This calming, hands-on experience invites you to slow down, observe deeply, and express yourself through simple, intuitive drawing. No artistic experience? No problem. This workshop is not about perfection—it’s about presence. Through guided exercises, you’ll learn how to:
- Quiet your mind and focus your attention
- Observe everyday details with fresh perspective
- Let go of self-judgment and draw with freedom
- Use sketching as a tool for relaxation and self-care
This event is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
- No experience needed
- All materials provided
- Friendly, guided session
- Open to anyone aged 18+
Tough Talk
Thursday 8 October, 7pm to 8pm | Nottingham Central Library
Free entry, booking required | For ages 16+
Recognising distress earlier. Reaching in sooner. Preventing Suicide.
A powerful, practical session exploring why people, particularly men, can struggle in silence even when support is available. This session is delivered by Tough to Talk founder Steve Whittle.
The Signature Tough Talk challenges the assumption that someone in distress will always ask for help. It explores how pressure and pain can show through changes in behaviour, why reaching out can feel difficult, and how the people around us can create opportunities for earlier support.
Using lived experience, practical insight and Tough To Talk’s upstream approach to suicide prevention, the session helps audiences understand the Reach Problem, recognise behaviour before words, and feel more confident starting the conversations that too often happen only after someone reaches crisis.
This is not simply an awareness talk. It is about helping people notice earlier, reach in sooner and understand the part they can play in prevention.
Reflect, Release & Realign
Saturday 10 October, 1.30pm to 3pm | Nottingham Central Library
Free entry, booking required
Come and EXPLORE, get ENERGISED and feel EMPOWERED with Nick & Jess of The 3E Space. on World Mental Health Day.
This will be an experiential opportunity to come together in community and put down the energetic weight you are carrying.
It is a space for anyone seeking a necessary pause from life’s challenges and chaos. A space to take a deep breath, put down the weight and calm the busy and overwhelmed mind, body and soul. Leave feeling more calm, connected, confident and courageous.
You can expect:
- A brief introduction from Jess & Nick.
- Reflective Wellbeing Journaling with optional sharing.
- A live Breathwork, Meditation and EFT tapping practice (20 mins) to help you release energetic weight and come home to yourself.
Stationery and water will be provided but feel free to bring your own.
TransformGen Future Leaders: Confidence, Voice, & Wellbeing
Saturday 10 October | Nottingham Central Library
11am to 12pm | 12.30pm to 1.30pm | 2pm to 3pm
Aimed at young people aged 16 to 24
Free entry, booking required
Join TransformGen CIC for an interactive and creative session designed to help young people explore confidence, self-belief, emotions and the world around them. Through activities and discussion, participants will have the opportunity to think about what is happening on the inside, explore the people and influences around them, and consider how they can use their voice, strengths and ideas to make a positive contribution. The session is designed to be welcoming, engaging and reflective, with no pressure to share personal experiences.
About TransformGen CIC
TransformGen CIC is a community organisation focused on helping people develop the confidence, skills, wellbeing and leadership capabilities to grow and thrive. Through inclusive programmes, workshops and practical learning experiences, we aim to widen access to opportunities, strengthen self-belief and help people recognise and develop their potential. Our work includes the TransformGen Future Leaders Programme, a funded youth development programme supporting young people in Nottingham to build confidence, communication, leadership, employability, resilience and skills for the future.
About your Facilitator
Chikodi Lori is the Founder and Director of TransformGen CIC and an experienced leadership and organisational development professional with over 15 years’ experience across community development, youth engagement, project development and organisational leadership. Her work has included developing and delivering programmes that support young people facing barriers to opportunity, alongside experience in safeguarding, partnership working and programme management. Through TransformGen CIC, she is passionate about creating opportunities that help people build confidence, recognise their potential, develop their voice and gain the skills and experiences needed to shape positive futures.
Calmness through Crochet
Monday 12 October, 2pm to 3.30pm | Nottingham Central Library
Free entry, booking required.
Join Olivia Dieterich for a workshop where she will share her personal story including her struggles with mental health, and how crocheting became an unexpected lifeline during some of her hardest moments.
We’ll explore the genuine wellbeing benefits of crochet: how the repetitive mindful rhythm can ease anxiety, quiet racing thoughts, and offer a sense of calm and control. You’ll get hands on with patterns from Olivia’s book, working through them together, with tips and support along the way. I’ll also share the story behind Random Acts of Crochet Kindness, and how small, thoughtful gestures can ripple outward to make the world a little brighter. Because sometimes the best way to help yourself, is to start by helping someone else.
You’ll leave with new skills, a finished (or well-started) project, and maybe a fresh perspective on your own wellbeing journey.
This session is for people with experience of crocheting – please bring your own hook and wool.
Heartfelt Tags
Tuesday 13 October, 1pm to 3pm | Nottingham Central Library
Free entry, booking required
Join Janet from When Women Gather for a relaxing, women-only creative workshop marking Mental Health Awareness Week at Nottingham Central Library.
Create your own heartfelt tags using collage, ribbons, distressed inks, felt-tip pens and other mixed-media materials. Add positive words and personal messages that encourage hope, strength and kindness.
No artistic experience is needed, just come along, explore the materials and enjoy creating in a welcoming space with other women.
Janet is part of When Women Gather and has a warm, inclusive approach to bringing women together through creativity, conversation and shared experiences. When Women Gather is a Nottingham-based women’s organisation that creates welcoming spaces where women from different backgrounds can connect, express themselves, build confidence and support their wellbeing.
Mindful Colouring Sessions in Libraries
Colouring is a great way for adults to unwind while being creative – drop in to any of our sessions throughout the fortnight to take some time out while creating a lovely picture! Materials provided.
| Library | Session Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Bulwell Riverside Library | Thursday 8 October | 2pm to 3.30pm |
| Clifton Library | Thursday 8 October | 2pm to 3.30pm |
| Dales Centre Library | Friday 9 October | 11am to 12.30pm |
| Hyson Green Library | Wednesday 7 October | 1.30pm to 3pm |
| Nottingham Central Library | Thursday 15 October | 3.30pm to 5pm |
| Radford-Lenton Library | Wednesday 7 October | 2pm to 3.30pm |
| Sherwood Library | Wednesday 7 October | 10.30am to 12pm |
| Southglade Park Library | Wednesday 7 October | 2pm to 3.30pm |
| St Ann's Valley Library | Friday 9 October | 12.30pm to 2pm |
| Strelley Road Library | Monday 5 October | 11.30am to 1pm Monday 12 October | 11.30am to 1pm |
| The Meadows Library | Monday 12 October | 3.30pm to 5pm |
| Wollaton Library | Friday 9 October | 2pm to 3.30pm |
Nottingham Recommends: Feel Good Books
We’re celebrating the power of reading for wellbeing and need your help in finding Nottingham’s favourite Feel Good Book!
Library staff and volunteers nominated their favourite feel good books and we’ve reached a shortlist of 6 for you to read and vote for your favourite.
The winner will be announced during Nottingham Mental Health Awareness Weeks, on World Mental Health Day, Saturday 10 October.
Discover and Get Involved
Write Queer Nottingham
Join us at Nottingham Central Library for our monthly sessions of creativity and community at Write Queer Nottingham!
When:
Third Mondays, 4.30pm to 6pm
This event runs every month