Habinteg tenants create mental health support group | Tenant news

For tenants at Hemlington, a World Mental Health Day event organised by Habinteg‘s North-East Neighbourhood team, showed that local women lacked a safe space to discuss their mental health.

In response, two Hemlington tenants, Nicola Robinson and Sam Porter, helped set up Women in Mind, a peer‑led support group created with Habinteg staff to provide a confidential, welcoming environment for women experiencing mental health challenges.

Instead of accepting the lack of local support, and stigma, around mental health, Nicola and Sam used their own experiences to create a supportive network for other women.

Launching the group

From the very start, both women shaped how the group works, making sure it remained inclusive, supportive and grounded in lived experience.

They took on leadership roles, helping to plan sessions, greet fresh faces, and create a warm, open space where everyone felt safe sharing their stories.

To make sure they could support people safely, they also did Samaritans training to learn about active listening and mental health awareness.

Since launching, the group has grown with women attending from across the region. Participants describe feeling heard, understood and less isolated. It has also helped women build real friendships, grow in confidence, and feel happier and healthier.

Now, with full backing and promotion from the national mental health charity Mind, the group is planning to expand across the whole region.

Speaking about what inspired the group, Nicola said: “Women in Mind came from wanting to create the kind of support I couldn’t find myself. We wanted women to have somewhere they felt safe, listened to and understood. Seeing people grow in confidence, build friendships and open up about how they’re feeling has meant so much to me.”

"It has given me a purpose and helps with my own mental health. It gave me a forum to open up about my own problems as well. I realised that we are all human, nobody’s life is perfect and I am able to talk about it without being judged, this means a lot."

Housing Heroes Awards

The group’s success has earned it a place as a finalist in the Best company health and wellbeing initiative category at the 2026 Housing Heroes Awards.

This award recognises individuals, teams, or organisations making an outstanding contribution to the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of tenants. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Monday 22 June at Manchester Central.

Habinteg would like to congratulate Nicola, Sam and everyone involved in Women in Mind for their support of women’s mental health in the local community.

Head of Housing, Donna Holmes, said: “By taking on Samaritans training, they’ve showed immense dedication to running the group safely and professionally. Their hard work has sparked a wonderful ripple effect, with members now looking out for one another outside of the regular sessions. This is what community is all about”.

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