An introduction video to the work of Renew Wellbeing

THE BIG PICNIC

More information on our Resources page

Big Picnic 

What is a Renew Wellbeing space?

Renew Wellbeing helps churches open spaces of welcome and inclusion in partnership with mental health teams to improve mental and emotional wellbeing. 

Renew spaces are simple cafe style spaces run by local churches where hobbies and activities are shared or co-produced. Each cafe space is attached to a quiet room or prayer space where inner habits of wellbeing are shared. Each church partners with a mental health professional from the local council or other suitable organisation to ensure good inclusive practices for safe spaces where it's OK not to be OK can be sustained.  

Being prayerful • Being present • Being in partnership

Renew Wellbeing provides information, inspiration, training and ongoing support to local churches as well as developing a simple national strategy for many small safe spaces to be made available through churches and councils working together. 

Read a short blog on the Hope 15:3 website written by Ruth in which she shares her story and the beginnings of Renew Wellbeing

Quotes from our guests..

 1

Renew for Children, Young People and their Families (CYF)

A couple of years ago we were beginning to be asked the question, "Can we do Renew with young people?" Under 18s are struggling more than ever with mental and emotional wellbeing and we wanted to offer our help.  

Please see our CYF page for more information.

INFORMATION AND TRAINING

Training flowchart

To help churches investigate whether a Renew space is something they would like to set up, we are running online introduction webinars on a Monday morning - see below for the next available dates.  After completing the introduction session if you wish to take the next steps we offer further training either via a two-hour online session (see dates below) or by using the follow on training videos in your own time as a team. These videos are available to churches that have registered with us and completed the introduction session.  After all the training is complete we then offer support and resources to help you get started and provide ongoing support as you become part of the Renew Wellbeing network of centres.  Do browse the other pages of our website for more information. 

INTRODUCTION ONLINE SESSION - MONDAY at 11am 

Next available dates:  

15th Apr, 20th May, 17th Jun, 22nd Jul

If you are part of a church that is interested in learning more and would like to register for a Monday webinar,  please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and details of your church. 

  • INTRODUCTION - WHAT IS WELLBEING?
  • AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT A RENEW SPACE IS

FULL 2 HOUR ONLINE TRAINING SESSION - TUESDAYS 7-9PM

Next available dates:  

16th Apr, 21st May, 18th Jun, 23rd Jul

If you would like to run through the training with us, we offer a two hour 'All-In' training session. These sessions are also suitable for churches that are already running a Renew space but would like a refresher for their team or perhaps have new hosts joining their team. Please choose one of the above session dates and register with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

  • BEING PRAYERFUL
  • BEING PRESENT
  • BEING IN PARTNERSHIP
  • WHAT NEXT?  

After this training we can connect you with your Area Coordinator to discuss the sign up process and how to get started.  

We also offer the training in video format for teams to train at a time suitable to them. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details. The video training is offered once a church has registered with us and completed the introduction session. 
 
Read the book: Slow Down, Show Up and Pray, by Ruth Rice
 
You may wish to buy the book to learn about the Renew story and how a church can set up their own Renew space. Please see the Resources page on our website for more details and where you can purchase a copy. You can then use our follow on videos for further training on being present, being in partnership and being prayerful. Please contact us for more information and to register for the training video access. Once you have completed the training with your team we then link you with an area coordinator to discuss your plans and once ready they will sign you up to start a Renew space.
 
There is a helpful six session reading plan including videos and discussion points available available on The Big Church Read website in their 'library' section.  You can follow the reading plan as a small group, a whole church, churches together, or just as an individual.  Further information is on the Big Church Read website.  You can also purchase the book from BCR plus many other Christian bookshops and online retailers. 
 

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We are thrilled to have been invited by Steve Barnett the creator of the Big Church Read to be a part of this shared experience. Please watch the short video below from the director of Renew Wellbeing, Ruth Rice.   Sessions 1 - 6 plus discussion questions

 

  BCR reading plan

Picnic Time - a poem by Ruth Rice

  

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