Mindful Mondays

Start your week with intention on Mindful Mondays

Modern life can be an exciting whirlwind of opportunities. But it can also be overwhelming and, at times, lonely.

Especially on Mondays, which can be a difficult day of the week with many cafés and meeting places closed.

In the spirit of the fictional ‘Woodyard’ to create a safe space to connect, to share and to reduce isolation, we are holding community drop-in sessions at Castle Chambers Café, (26 Castle Street, Barnstaple) on the second and fourth Monday of every month, from 10.00am to 2pm.

OUR NEXT MINDFUL MONDAY IS ON MONDAY 23RD MARCH 2026 SO COME AND JOIN US!

‘Mindful Mondays’ will help you to start your week in a calm and positive way in a warm and welcoming environment with a range of activities focusing on mindfulness, wellbeing and self-care. The very best way to start your week with a calm mind and positive outlook.

Mindful Mondays is a community initiative run by The Woodyard project in collaboration with the Castle Chambers Café, Space to Be Wellbeing CIC, NDVS and Barnstaple Town Council.

"The beauty of Mindful Monday is that you choose the level of interaction that is right for you. There's no pressure to join in anything - so you can simply sit quietly with a book or some headphones and relax. Or, if you're feeling more sociable that day, you may get involved in a chatty room, sharing crafts and ideas or making connections with likeminded people. The choice is yours!"

Kayleigh Pullin-Rogers, Project Coordinator

Tell us

Have you come to a Mindful Monday session? If so, we would love to hear what you think and if you have any ideas for how we can improve and develop the project. Please click here to have your say or click on or scan the QR code on the right. Thank you.

“They are so valuable to all but wonderful for differently abled people. They offer a safe, comfortable experience with others. Please have more sessions.” Mindfulness session participant

“The subsidised price makes it accessible to me. These sessions are vital in this stressful day and age – more people across the region, of all ages and lifestyles, could benefit from considering their wellbeing and learning how to look after themselves better.” Mindfulness session participant

Our next Mindful Monday is on Monday 23rd March 2026 10.00am to 2pm. Come and join us!

Click here to find out more about what’s going on this Monday!

In this quirky 16th century building, we have created a safe and comfortable space filled with a range of activities chosen to support good mental health and wellbeing, as well as the chance to meet special guests from local organisations who will share information about what they do and how you can get involved.

You can take part in any one or all of the following activities and resources in various spaces around the café: Craft activities, Chatty room, Quiet room, Jigsaw room, Board games and Story telling. We are also on hand to tell you more about Reading for Wellbeing and how books and stories in all their forms can change our mental health for the better!

Your £5 entry fee covers access to all of this, as well a hot drink of your choice, a biscuit on the side and a guarantee that you will find a space that suits you; whether you’re with a friend, looking to meet new people or coming to savour a moment of peace and solitude.

And, of course, you can stay for as long, or little, as you like.

Want to know more? Click here to join us on a virtual tour of Mindful Monday. Or listen into this conversation between Marie Gould, NDVS and Hepsie Goddin from The Woodyard Management Committee with Laura James from The Voice Radio.

Stay for lunch

Fancy a spot of lunch? Well, you can also treat yourself to some delicious home cooked food and cakes (not included in the £5 entry fee). Want to help someone out? We have a wonderful Pay It Forward board which means you can treat someone else to a hot drink or tasty treat.

Next steps

Moving forward, our aim is to source opportunities to host events that cater to the needs of the community. In addition to the fortnightly sessions, we will be taking The Woodyard ‘on tour’ out to neighbouring towns and villages to support isolated groups of people to access Reading for Wellbeing and the support the Woodyard can access through signposting.