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Social engagement
Meals, workshops and a variety of activities to build connection.
Good Friday community space: Fridays, 11am–2pmconnect@shepherdsstar.orgUnited Reformed Church, First Cross Rd, Twickenham TW2 5QA
Connecting community, inspiring hope
A first step to positively change your life, for adults in Richmond and surrounding boroughs.
Meals, workshops and a variety of activities to build connection.
Opportunities to gain motivation and grow in confidence.
Healthy lunches provided each week.
Gardening with Kew Gardens, cooking and baking with Relish & Grace, and DIY with Richmond Furniture Scheme.
An introduction to money matters delivered by Crosslight Advice.
Befriending, further study and training at RHACC, volunteering through RCVS, cooking courses through Cooking Up, plus Shine barista training.
Begin with a cup of tea or coffee and a light breakfast snack.
An introductory workshop on wellbeing, led by Susie of the Love Me programme.
A longer 90-minute workshop before lunch.
An hour's break to share a meal over a communal table.
A further 90-minute workshop, ending at 3pm.
Explore provided me with a supportive community and meaningful volunteering opportunities. Volunteering and engaging in personal development workshops helped me reconnect with my values and discover new passions. A personal values workshop was a turning point: I discovered my core value was empathy which has inspired me to enrol in a clinical psychology programme at Kings College, London.
Explore is a good way to get out of the house and have a purpose. I have enjoyed learning new skills and meeting friendly people. The food was very tasty, and the group lunches helped me manage my severe social anxiety.
We didn't want Explore to end…
I've had nothing but positive feedback from my clients who have loved attending the Summer Explore Programme. They've found it a place to develop new and existing skills and socialise with a variety of people which has been indispensable to their wellbeing.
You feel like you are wanted – you are part of a community group…you feel like you belong, as well as learning. Whatever you've been through, you feel like you are in it together.
Explore gave me the confidence to keep trying and not give up.
Our group size is between 8 to 12 people.
The course runs once a week, on a Tuesday, from 10am–3pm, with an hour's lunch break.
Explore is a classroom-style day of workshops starting with a welcome tea and breakfast, followed by wellbeing and skills workshops with a communal lunch break, finishing at 3pm.
Ways of enhancing your mental and physical wellbeing, with taster workshops in gardening, DIY, cooking and barista skills, plus exploring personal values and building personal profiles.
Sessions are interactive and socially engaging, with minimum participation expected in discussions, practical demonstrations and a communal lunch.
Most sessions take place in a private room, though a few workshops are held off-site, travelling by bus.
Participants often face social anxiety, depression, low confidence, long-term unemployment, financial insecurity, addiction or mental/physical ill health.
The programme and lunch are free, and Oyster travel cards are provided for workshops that require bus travel.
Full attendance across all six weeks is encouraged in order to receive a certificate upon completion.
Continued support is offered through the monthly Explore to More group, plus invitations to Good Friday, Table of Hope and volunteering opportunities.
Shepherd's Star wouldn't exist without the incredible support, kindness and generosity of our friends, who bring us together – giving their time, finances, emotional support and creativity to improving our local community.
Volunteer application