Rediscovering confidence, reigniting potential.
Explore is a one day a week, socially-engaging personal development programme, run over six weeks.
Designed to enable adults experiencing social exclusion to develop their practical skills and confidence, to successfully establish themselves in their local community.
Autumn 2023 Dates:
Tuesdays, 31st October, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th November, and 5th December.
Venue: Richmond Library Annexe, Quadrant, Richmond, TW9 1DU
Explore offers
Explore encourages a sense of purpose and self-development whilst rediscovering confidence and reigniting potential – improving emotional and mental wellbeing.
- Social engagement through meals, workshops and a variety of activities.
- Opportunities to gain motivation and grow in confidence.
- Healthy lunches.
- An introduction to money-matters workshops delivered by Citizens Advice Richmond.
- Personal empowering and wellbeing workshops by Bhuti London, and United Response.
- Skills Taster workshops. Gardening with Kew Gardens, cooking and baking with Relish & Grace, and DIY with Richmond Furniture Scheme.
- Commitment to continued support through befriending.
- Shine – an opportunity to learn barista and hospitality skills.
- Table of Hope – safe interactive space with a monthly nutritious meal at communal tables, offering an opportunity to reduce isolation and enhance wellbeing.
- Steps – Regular Educational and Cultural activities.
Who can apply for Explore?
- Beneficiaries aged 18+ are invited to apply.
- Unemployed or on a low income.
- Those living with a mental illness; or disability.
- Those at risk or having experienced economic or social disadvantage.
*Priority placements will be allocated to Richmond Borough residents, thereafter candidates from surrounding Boroughs will be considered.
Autumn 2023 Dates:
Tuesdays, 31st October, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th November, and 5th December.
With grateful thanks to our grant funders, for helping our community thrive.
Explore FAQs
How many people typically attend?
Our group size is between 8 to 12 people.
What time does the course start and finish?
The course runs once a week (on a Tuesday) from 10–3pm — with an hour’s lunch break.
What can I expect on a typical Explore day?
Explore is a classroom style course, whereby a variety of workshops are delivered face-to-face, one day a week (Tuesday) for six weeks from 10-3pm.
We begin each day with a welcome cup of tea or coffee and a light breakfast snack. This is followed by an introductory workshop on wellbeing, led by Susie of the Love Me programme. We then have a second, longer workshop (90mins) that takes us to lunch time, where we break for an hour to share a meal over a communal table.
After lunch, we have a further workshop (90mins) which ends at 3pm. Every day of Explore is different as we offer a variety of workshops across the six weeks. Feedback forms are completed at the end of every day.
What will I learn in the 6 week course?
Through a variety of workshops, you will learn ways of enhancing your mental and physical wellbeing, experience opportunities to learn new skills with taster workshops in gardening, DIY, cooking, barista — as well as exploring your personal values and building personal profiles.
How much social interaction / engagement is required?
Although held in a low-pressure environment, our Explore workshops are both interactive and socially engaging. This means we require minimum participation with regards to answering questions, participating in practical demonstrations (i.e. teacher-led cooking / DIY / gardening), group interactions and joining in a communal lunch.
Do the sessions take place in an open area or private room?
Most of the sessions take place in a private room (sidehall) however there are a couple of workshops which take place in different locations to which we travel by bus.
What kind of challenges or barriers have participants experienced?
Our participants come from diverse backgrounds, many of whom present with social anxiety, depression, lack of confidence, loss of hope and/or who struggle with either / both mental and physical health. Typically, they have experienced life challenges such as long term unemployment, financial insecurity, addiction and / or mental / physical ill health.
What costs will I be expected to pay?
The programme itself with lunch is free and oyster travel cards are provided when travelling by bus to different workshops, i.e. Kew Gardens / Live Well Kew.
Am I expected to attend every week?
In order to receive full benefit of the programme and a certificate upon completion, we encourage attendance across all six weeks.
What happens next after the 6 week Explore programme?
We encourage continued social interaction and connection through invitations to Good Friday, Table of Hope and volunteering opportunities hosted by community partners.
Our Partners
