A mindfulness expert is holding regular sessions to promote wellbeing at the Old Low Light Heritage Centre on North Shields Fish Quay.

Mike Atkinson, a mindfulness practitioner for more than 20 years, runs monthly sessions, suitable for both beginners and those with more experience of the practice, at the heritage centre.

The next one is on Saturday 10 December from 1pm to 2pm. Places, which are free (although a donation of £3-£5 is requested), need to be booked in advance at via our website.

The sessions attract regular attendees but usually there are also newcomers to the practice.

Mike said: “Mindfulness helps people to live more fully in the present moment and to reduce the thoughts and emotions that perpetuate stress and anxiety. Helping them to find mindfulness and watching it transform their lives is a privilege.”

Sessions usually begin with a short mindfulness practice, followed by some brief discussion and then a longer practice which is often themed, again followed by some discussion.

Guy Moody, centre director at the Old Low Light, added: “We are very fortunate to have someone with Mike’s expertise providing these sessions, especially at a time when there are so many pressures following the pandemic and more recently the cost of living increases. We are encouraging anyone who thinks it might be helpful to find out more about the benefits of mindfulness to book on one of the sessions.”

Mike Atkinson has been involved in mindfulness for over 20 years. He is co-director of The Centre for Mindfulness and Wellbeing, which aims to play a key role in advancing human wellbeing through mindfulness-based activity. He is also co-chair of the Mindfulness in Education Special Interest Group for the Association for the Study of Medical Education (ASME) and a senior lecturer in Medical Education at the University of Sunderland.