What we’re about
## 🌱 About RISE – Mental Health & Well-Being Centre
Welcome to RISE, a warm, inclusive community dedicated to helping people connect, thrive, and live healthier, happier lives. At RISE, we believe that happiness is a serious job — one best done together.
Our goal is simple: to create a friendly space where you can socialise, learn, and grow — while supporting your mental health and overall well-being through creative, meaningful, and joyful experiences.
At RISE, we believe in the power of community and small positive steps that build real change.
💬 What We Do
We offer a rich variety of events, meetups, and workshops designed to help you feel inspired, connected, supported, and simply happier — including:
🌿 Well-being & Mindfulness Workshops
Gentle sessions designed to help you recharge, relax, and restore inner balance.
We’ll have open conversations about a range of mental health topics — including stress, anxiety, depression, fears, panic attacks, and phobias — as well as guidance on how to find the right support from professionals such as psychologists or therapists.
These are not therapy sessions, but friendly and informative discussions aimed at understanding ourselves, our emotions, and the wider mental health challenges of our times.
📚 Book Talks
Join us for inspiring book discussions — reading empowering, thought-provoking, and uplifting works together. We share opinions, exchange ideas, and enjoy a relaxed social atmosphere with coffee, drinks, or dining as we read, connect, and grow as a community.
🎭 Creative & Expressive Arts – theatre, art, writing, and music as tools for self-expression, storytelling, and confidence.
🤝 Communication & Confidence Circles – fun, interactive sessions to improve social and speaking skills while building self-belief.
💬 Social Gatherings & Coffee Chats – connection is the focus: meeting new friends, like-minded people, sharing your stories, and laughter.
🎨 Personal Growth & Skills Workshops – from goal-setting and emotional awareness to self-care and stress management.
💪 Healthy Living & Movement – light Walk & Talk sessions, mindful movement for body–mind harmony.
🎭 Cultural & Creative Gatherings – celebrating diversity, heritage, art, and shared human experience, each other's birthdays!
🧠 Mental Health Awareness Events – talks, open discussions, and supportive spaces to learn and share together.
🌍 Rare Type Expeditions – unique creative adventures and mindful explorations designed to reconnect you with nature, culture, and your inner self. From city walks and art retreats to countryside escapes, these small-group experiences combine travel, creativity, and personal growth. See the video below inspired by our previous expedition to Altay, Siberia, and pictures from our last expedition to the Unesco World Heritage Centre-Lake Baikal, Siberia.
Every activity is designed to be uplifting, accessible, and inclusive — whether you come for connection, learning, creativity, or simply a moment to pause and breathe.
🌈 Who It’s For
RISE welcomes everyone — all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life.
Whether you’re:
- Looking to meet new people and socialise,
- Wanting to improve your emotional or mental well-being,
- Seeking balance between work, life, and self-care,
- Interested in creativity, mindfulness, or personal growth,
- Curious to explore something new,
- Or simply in need of a friendly community to belong to —
you’ll find your place here.
🌟 Our Vision
To build a community where well-being becomes a way of life — where people support one another, explore creativity, and rise together through kindness, laughter, and shared experiences.
🗣 What to Expect
Warm-hearted, inclusive, and intentional meet-ups.
Free or low-cost events. A safe space for everyone of all ages and backgrounds.
Whether you’re new to the city, seeking friendship, looking to expand your circle, finding your balance, or simply craving meaningful connection — you’re welcome here.
🌸 Join Us
Join RISE — connect, create, and celebrate life.
Together, let’s make well-being social, inspiring, and full of joy. 🌻
Our events are open, positive, and empowering.
Come as you are. Leave inspired, connected, and recharged.
Join us to step into your power, share your story, and build a circle of support that grows stronger with every gathering.
Together, we RISE.
Upcoming events
3
- £99.00
Russian Banya Healing and Social session
Russian Banya, 404-406 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 5TF, London, GB## 🔥 The Russian Banya experience: Steam. Strength. Serenity. Socialising.
## Relax, recharge, socialise, and rejuvenate the authentic way — in a traditional Bathhouse in Chiswick, London
This is an authentic experience in a traditional bathhouse in Chiswick, London.
Combining the two extremes of hot and cold, the Russian banya is incredibly powerful — it heals, strengthens the immune system, invigorates, and relaxes all at once.
You may feel deeply relaxed afterwards — which is exactly the goal!
And as a psychotherapist, I can tell you: it’s very hard to make the body truly relax on a cellular level — yet the Russian banya does just that.🌿 Not Your Typical Spa
This isn’t a standard spa visit.
The banya features:
✨ An authentic wooden steam room
❄️ An ice-cold plunge pool
🍵 A chance to enjoy traditional Russian snacks and drinks afterwards
After the steam, you can try some of the healthiest and most comforting foods:- Oblepikhovy gorachiy nastoy — a hot drink made from oblepikha (sea buckthorn), the sacred Siberian berry packed with vitamin C and many other nutrients.
- Russian salo — cured pork fat that melts in your mouth, best enjoyed with hearty black rye bread. After a strong banya session, your body naturally craves good fats and minerals to restore energy and balance — and salo provides exactly that.
- And, if you wish, a small 100 grams of vodka — traditionally believed to help cleanse the body and boost circulation after the banya (as long as it’s enjoyed with proper food!).
🔥 The Parenie Ritual
The highlight of the experience is the Parenie ritual — performed by a trained banya master using specially prepared oak or birch leaves.
In Russian spiritual tradition, these leaves are not merely symbolic — they are believed to transfer their natural strength and healing energy to your body through heat and gentle movement.
During the ritual, the specialist “plays” with the steam, directing waves of hot air toward your body, then cooling specific areas at just the right moments.
This alternation of heat and cooling stimulates circulation, balances the nervous system, and leaves you feeling grounded, strong, and profoundly relaxed.
And of course — there’s a bit of banya fun: the master will literally beat the cold and badness out of your body!
(Alright, maybe not too gently… but don’t worry, I’m only teasing 😄 — it feels amazing and refreshing!)- Oak leaves are used to restore vitality, grounding, and endurance.
- Birch leaves help cleanse the body and spirit, releasing tension and negativity.
This rhythmic ritual is deeply rejuvenating — both physically and emotionally — leaving you refreshed, balanced, and light.
### 🧺 Practical Details
- Private booth for our group to relax in
- Changing rooms and lockers provided
- The venue is clean, safe, and beautifully maintained
⚠️ Capacity is limited, so places go quickly.
If you’d like to join, please book soon — otherwise, we may lose our reserved time slot.
I’ll be there to welcome you, show you around, and explain the rituals and traditions. Expect a calm, relaxing atmosphere — and maybe some friendly conversation. People here are very open and warm; I’ve personally made wonderful friends at this place.
The experience includes my personal guidance and explanation of the full Russian banya ritual — I’ll introduce you to each stage, explain the meaning behind the traditions. The whole banya visit is indeed quite a sacred act — and I’ll explain why. I’ll guide you on what to wear and why, how to heat yourself correctly, where and how to start, how to use the steam room safely (and how long to stay in), how to cool down, and how to warm up properly after the ice-cold plunge pool — and much more along the way.Price £99.00
https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT000450NCN2TG### WHAT IS INCLUDED
- 3-hour session with access to Banya facilities: authentic steam room, icy plunge pool, and bucket showers.
- Russian Banya ritual informative assistance, followed by some relaxed socialising and fun verbal table games.
- Own private booth with a table where we can order food and drinks
- Parenie ritual or you can choose a Siberian body wash, which is an authentic, organic spa treatment. Another banya favourite, the Siberian Body Wash is a traditional, exfoliating full body wash, which blends silky, soapy foam with fragrant birch Venik (leaves). The Venik enables a gentle, yet deep, exfoliation and creates a unique tactile sensation that is not easily described – it is far better experienced. See a photo in the album below. Early booking is required.
Please make sure you’re not feeling run-down or catching a cold before attending, as the hot-and-cold contrast can be too intense if your body is weakened. Otherwise, there’s nothing to worry about — this ritual is designed to strengthen your health, restore your balance, and boost your energy.
NB! For safety reasons, please do not attend if you have any serious or underlying heart or other medical conditions. It’s best to consult your doctor first to make sure the banya experience is suitable for you. By attending the event, you agree to take full responsibility for your own health and wellbeing, and for any outcomes — including the positive ones! 😄
This also includes acknowledging that the organiser cannot be held liable for any injury, discomfort, health reaction, or any other uncomfortable event that may occur during or after the session.Please let me know if you’d prefer weekends — just note that weekend rates are higher. I’m happy to hear what works best for you!
1 attendee - £99.00
Russian Banya Healing and Socialising session
Russian Banya, 404-406 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 5TF, London, GB## 🔥 The Russian Banya experience: Steam. Strength. Serenity. Socialising.
## Relax, recharge, socialise, and rejuvenate the authentic way — in a traditional Bathhouse in Chiswick, London
This is an authentic experience in a traditional bathhouse in Chiswick, London.
Combining the two extremes of hot and cold, the Russian banya is incredibly powerful — it heals, strengthens the immune system, invigorates, and relaxes all at once.
You may feel deeply relaxed afterwards — which is exactly the goal!
And as a psychotherapist, I can tell you: it’s very hard to make the body truly relax on a cellular level — yet the Russian banya does just that.🌿 Not Your Typical Spa
This isn’t a standard spa visit.
The banya features:
✨ An authentic wooden steam room
❄️ An ice-cold plunge pool
🍵 A chance to enjoy traditional Russian snacks and drinks afterwards
After the steam, you can try some of the healthiest and most comforting foods:- Oblepikhovy gorachiy nastoy — a hot drink made from oblepikha (sea buckthorn), the sacred Siberian berry packed with vitamin C and many other nutrients.
- Russian salo — cured pork fat that melts in your mouth, best enjoyed with hearty black rye bread. After a strong banya session, your body naturally craves good fats and minerals to restore energy and balance — and salo provides exactly that.
- And, if you wish, a small 100 grams of vodka — traditionally believed to help cleanse the body and boost circulation after the banya (as long as it’s enjoyed with proper food!).
🔥 The Parenie Ritual
The highlight of the experience is the Parenie ritual — performed by a trained banya master using specially prepared oak or birch leaves.
In Russian spiritual tradition, these leaves are not merely symbolic — they are believed to transfer their natural strength and healing energy to your body through heat and gentle movement.
During the ritual, the specialist “plays” with the steam, directing waves of hot air toward your body, then cooling specific areas at just the right moments.
This alternation of heat and cooling stimulates circulation, balances the nervous system, and leaves you feeling grounded, strong, and profoundly relaxed.
And of course — there’s a bit of banya fun: the master will literally beat the cold and badness out of your body!
(Alright, maybe not too gently… but don’t worry, I’m only teasing 😄 — it feels amazing and refreshing!)- Oak leaves are used to restore vitality, grounding, and endurance.
- Birch leaves help cleanse the body and spirit, releasing tension and negativity.
This rhythmic ritual is deeply rejuvenating — both physically and emotionally — leaving you refreshed, balanced, and light.
### 🧺 Practical Details
- Private booth for our group to relax in
- Changing rooms and lockers provided
- The venue is clean, safe, and beautifully maintained
⚠️ Capacity is limited, so places go quickly.
If you’d like to join, please book soon — otherwise, we may lose our reserved time slot.
I’ll be there to welcome you, show you around, and explain the rituals and traditions. Expect a calm, relaxing atmosphere — and maybe some friendly conversation. People here are very open and warm; I’ve personally made wonderful friends at this place.
The experience includes my personal guidance and explanation of the full Russian banya ritual — I’ll introduce you to each stage, explain the meaning behind the traditions. The whole banya visit is indeed quite a sacred act — and I’ll explain why. I’ll guide you on what to wear and why, how to heat yourself correctly, where and how to start, how to use the steam room safely (and how long to stay in), how to cool down, and how to warm up properly after the ice-cold plunge pool — and much more along the way.Price £99.00
https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT000450NCN2TG### WHAT IS INCLUDED
- 3-hour session with access to Banya facilities: authentic steam room, icy plunge pool, and bucket showers.
- Russian Banya ritual informative assistance, followed by some relaxed socialising and fun verbal table games.
- Own private booth with a table where we can order food and drinks
- Parenie ritual
- Or you can choose a Siberian body wash, which is an authentic, organic spa treatment. Another banya favourite, the Siberian Body Wash is a traditional, exfoliating full body wash, which blends silky, soapy foam with fragrant birch Venik (leaves). The Venik enables a gentle, yet deep, exfoliation and creates a unique tactile sensation that is not easily described – it is far better experienced. See a photo in the album below
Please make sure you’re not feeling run-down or catching a cold before attending, as the hot-and-cold contrast can be too intense if your body is weakened. Otherwise, there’s nothing to worry about — this ritual is designed to strengthen your health, restore your balance, and boost your energy.
NB! For safety reasons, please do not attend if you have any serious or underlying heart or other medical conditions. It’s best to consult your doctor first to make sure the banya experience is suitable for you. By attending the event, you agree to take full responsibility for your own health and wellbeing, and for any outcomes — including the positive ones! 😄
This also includes acknowledging that the organiser cannot be held liable for any injury, discomfort, health reaction, or any other uncomfortable event that may occur during or after the session.Please let me know if you’d prefer weekends — just note that weekend rates are higher. I’m happy to hear what works best for you!
1 attendee
