This Taking it Further curriculum develops your learning from the 8-week course in a number of new ways as a broader set of formal mindfulness practices are introduced. You will have already learned how mindfulness can be your teacher, offering you skills to meet life’s challenges and difficulties. New practices will be introduced to further support your learning (for example to calm agitation or to help with sleep or prepare for a challenging situation).

Many people’s practice tends to ebb and flow; some people discontinue their practice altogether. This course is intended to help you overcome blocks to continuing practice, identify positive reasons to practice, and reinforce the learning from mindfulness practice that supports your mental health and well-being.

The place of informal, everyday practice is emphasised. Our experience and research suggests that participants value being reminded of practice, sharing their experiences and learning from one other (Hopkins & Kuyken, 2012). Informal practices are introduced in a way that takes things that you are, perhaps, already doing and supports you to do them with increased awareness and responsiveness.

This 12-session course can be delivered in a number of different formats: once per week; once every two weeks; once a month; or in a more intensive retreat-like format. It is intended to:

– Reinforce, broaden, build and deepen your mindfulness practice
– Develop your learning of the key themes from the 8-week course
– Extend your learning about how to respond skilfully
– Weave mindfulness more fully into everyday life

This course is not being offered as a treatment for any specific physical or psychological conditions. Please do not sign up for this training if you are currently experiencing severe problems in these areas.

***Please note the closing date for applications is earlier than the start date – please check application form***