Friday Programme

The Power of Empathy with Jess Baker and Rod Vincent

Join chartered psychologists, co-authors of The Super Helper Syndrome: A Survival Guide for Compassionate People, and Emplify co-founders Jess Baker and Rod Vincent as they explore the strengths and challenges of being a deeply compassionate person. 

Finding Peace of Mind: An Inspirational Journey Through Bipolar, Depression, Addiction and Dyslexia

For the first 40 years of his life, Jonathan Kemp lived with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, depression, addiction and dyslexia, while struggling with suicidal thoughts. In this powerful talk, he shares his journey through mental illness and neurodiversity, reflecting on resilience, self-discovery and hard-won wisdom.

Beyond the Tremor: The Essential Guide to Parkinson’s

Parkinson's is the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world, but most people still don’t know much about it beyond the tremor. Chaired by City Lit’s Dr Edward Breen, this event brings together people living with Parkinson's, leading medical experts, and charity leaders for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about what the condition really involves.

The Mixed + Multiracial Guide to Wellbeing

Join us for a conversation with Namalee Bolle, author of The Mixed + Multiracial Guide to Wellbeing. Drawing on her experience from both sides of the therapist's couch, Namalee explores how mixed and multiracial people can navigate microaggressions, challenge systemic barriers, and take control of their own stories.

Mental Wealth, Working, not Working and Retirement?

The lines between working and retiring are increasingly blurred. In the 20th century, retirement seemed straightforward: retire at 65, draw a pension and enjoy later life. Today, people are living and working longer, while others leave the workforce earlier than expected. This panel discussion explores changing attitudes to work and retirement. 

Be More Human: Why Mental Health Care is Broken – and What We Can Do to Fix It

Why do people with mental health conditions die 15-20 years earlier than people without? As inequality grows and discrimination persists, many mental health services can feel impersonal and unable to meet people's needs.

In conversation with City Lit Principal Mark Malcomson, Sir Norman Lamb, former Health Minister, NHS trust chair and leading mental health campaigner, explores why mental health services are failing and what needs to change.

Caring for Men & Boys: Men’s Mental Health & Wellbeing

Join George Horne from The Tin Men alongside leading voices in the psychology and wellbeing of men and boys for a thought-provoking conversation exploring the evidence, challenges and opportunities shaping men's and boys' mental health today.

The Gift of Teenagers: Connect More, Worry Less

Around a quarter to a third of teenagers are affected by anxiety but many never tell the adults in their lives what they are worried about. In this workshop, best-selling wrote and mental health advocate Rachel Kelly shares ways to connect with our teenagers and find out more about their concerns.

Locked Out of Grief: Access, Identity and Healing in the Deaf Community

Deaf mental health doesn’t get talked about enough – but that’s starting to change. This panel, created in partnership with SignHealth. brings together clinicians, artists, campaigners and voices from the Deaf community to talk honestly about what good Deaf mental healthcare looks like when access is built in from the start.

Frazzled Online Meeting

Join us for an online version of our Frazzled facilitated peer support meetings.

Frazzled meetings are designed to provide confidential and non-judgmental peer support, where people who are feeling overwhelmed by the stresses of life can talk openly, connect and feel heard.

Reading Through Art

How do we learn about life events such as love, death, despair or illness? Beyond our own experience, we draw on cultural stories-books, films, songs-that we interpret personally.

In this talk, Sheila Hollins, founder of Books Beyond Words, will introduce the purpose and methodology behind word‑free storytelling.