"I came upon this cafe completely by chance. I had a friend staying with me from the Midlands and took her to Sunderland for the day and found this Café in the city centre. I was very impressed with the warm and friendly welcome we received and the choice of food at reasonable prices. The Café is run by staff and volunteers, who are all friendly and helpful. We were shown around and I was impressed by the services offered.

One in four adults experience mental health problems at some time in their life. This can be something quite mild to much more serious and long-term issues. The staff and volunteers work alongside professionals and charities to support people in need. The support is offered in various ways ranging from individual counselling, women's groups, men's pie club, a library, financial advice and advocacy, arts and craft, as well as sound bath medication to name a few of the groups and services on offer. One of the most important services offered is that of companionship. There is always at least one volunteer or member of staff who will sit and chat to you if you need a little company. This is particularly welcoming for people who live alone and may be desperate to see a friendly face and to have someone listen to them whether they have worries, need to know where to go for appropriate advice about an issue or simply just to talk."

 

Sound Bath and Meditation Group

"I was very interested to attend the sound bath and meditation group, which was offered free of charge due to lottery funding. A sound bath and meditation session has been proved to have many health benefits, This includes reducing stress, tension and anxiety, improving sleep quality, reducing blood pressure and heart rate and giving an increased sense of well being. The session starts with people lying on the mats provided, although people with reduced mobility can still take part by sitting in a chair.

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Relaxing music forms a background for the session which starts with deep breathing. We listen to the instructor telling us to breathe deeply whilst emptying our minds of thoughts. We are told that if thoughts or noises start to intrude to simply put them to one side. Then begins the sound bath music. Various instruments are used including various sizes of crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes, rattles, rain sticks and rain drums.

 

The sounds these instruments make create an unbelievable magical out of this world sound. They resonate around the room and fill the room with vibrations. Instantly, I personally begin to feel all the stress and tension melting away as i am transported to a level of great peacefulness. I enjoy all the musical sounds as they drift from ear to ear, washing over my body. We are then brought back by the instructor as he gently brings us back into the room, into this reality, as we lie for a few more minutes stretching and opening our eyes, ready to get on with whatever life has to give us, feeling much less stressed and calmer than before the session.