Non-profit company, Mindful Therapies, began life as a business running from a kitchen table. Now, only four years later, the successful company has moved into a newly renovated building on Carliol Square, Newcastle. Offering a variety of courses, sessions and coaching to both individuals and corporate employees, Mindful Therapies is exceeding even its director’s expectations and providing valuable help to many people from the region.
The dedication and hard work of the directors, Rachel Jones-Wild and Mark Sidney, has seen Mindful Therapies offer regular sessions and expert advice on subjects such as meditation techniques, yoga, stress and anxiety counselling – issues that affect so many people.
Their new studio in Carliol Square was previously used as storage space and was also used as a church in the past. Together, with help from volunteers and money raised through crowdfunding, the team have completely gutted the building. The large space now has a reception area, chill-out area, kitchen, meditation, yoga and counselling rooms.
Rachel Jones-Wild, who recently won an award as the most influential woman in mental health in the North East, says, “From working from my kitchen table we moved to a small office in Broadacre House. Now, for the first time, we have our very own tailor-made space. This allows us to display signage and offer drop-in services. Our mission is to make the benefits of mindfulness accessible to everyone, regardless of their income. Some of our courses are donation based and all our profits go straight back into the community to enable more people to access our services.”
Rachel and Mark have also enlisted the help of local students who are studying media production courses at Northumbria University. The students are producing a short video about the company and the renovation of the previously derelict building. The producer, Danny Kane, is from Ashington and the sound engineer, Kerry Ward, is from Consett. Creating the video will form part of their degree course – as well as helping to promote this exciting venture. Kerry who is diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum says, “Being involved with this project has been so exciting and it’s such a help towards my course. The services and counselling they offer are all very close to my heart and I really do believe this business will help many, many people.”
Mark Sidney mainly deals with the coaching services Mindful Therapies offers to corporations, including call centres and those in the oil and gas sector where employees may suffer from high levels of stress. Already working in four sites on the Cobalt Business Park, Mark says, “I offer drop-in services for employees and provide them with the skills and coping mechanisms to manage stress and anxiety. I also show them how meditation can help with many issues and provide one to one coaching services if required. Having our new premises is perfect – mindfulness skills are so important and everyone involved in the project is excited about our future.”
Mindful Therapies turnover has grown by an impressive 300% in their first four years of operation signifying that this is a unique and well-needed service.
“At our launch event in early November, more than 40 people came to show their support for our new location. This is very promising and our plans are based on the prediction that our services will continue to thrive, grow and provide much needed relief to many people throughout the North East,” said Rachel.