Welcome

Space to Be Wellbeing is a not-for-profit community organisation in Barnstaple, North Devon. We offer welcoming sessions focused on movement, mindfulness, and creative wellbeing. We create safe, friendly spaces where everyone, whatever their age or ability, can take time to improve their health, wellbeing, and sense of connection with others.

As skilled facilitators we use friendly and adaptable approaches, allowing each person to participate at their own pace and in their own way. By reducing barriers and accommodating a wide range of needs, we ensure that everyone feels included, supported, and able to enjoy the benefits of wellbeing together.

(Photo: Karen Dunnett, Clare Colby, Jeanine Ash)

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Wellbeing for Everyone

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to access practices that promote health, wellbeing, and connections with others. When possible we use a "community contribution model," where participants are invited to contribute what they can for each session.

These contributions help us keep our sessions accessible to all while sustaining our work. We extend our gratitude to all of our wonderful participants for giving what they can, for the kindness they show each week, and for creating spaces where everyone feels welcome. Thank you!

(Photo: Big Yoga Event, supported by Active Devon)

Activities & Events

Mindful Movement

We offer Yoga, QiGong for Wellbeing, and Mindful Movement in safe, welcoming spaces where everyone feels valued. Our sessions use a gentle, trauma sensitive approach that combines movement and breathwork to develop confidence, self-awareness, and positivity. These practices nurture physical health and help ease stress and tension.

All sessions can be enjoyed seated or standing. We support individuals of all ages and abilities, including those with health challenges, disabilities, or additional needs.

Chair Yoga
Barnstaple Library
Wellbeing Wednesdays
10.15 & 11.45
Community Contribution £3 up to £6

Yoga 6 Week Course
Barnstaple, Mid October, Date/ Venue TBC

QiGong For Wellbeing
The Castle Centre, Barnstaple
Every 2nd & 4th Monday of the Month
10.30 & 12.00
Community Contribution £3 up to £6

Mindfulness

Our friendly community mindfulness sessions include gentle breath awareness, calming meditation, and mindful movement, all designed to help the mind and body feel more settled, grounded, and at ease.

These practices may ease stress and tension while supporting positivity, self-esteem, and a calmer outlook on everyday life. All sessions are adaptable to individual needs and can be tailored for different age groups, community groups, organisations, and workplaces.

Mindfulness Sessions
8 Week Courses Available 1:1 or Group Setting

Creative Wellbeing

Let it be fun. Let it be imperfect. Let it be yours.

At Space to Be Wellbeing our creative sessions focus on enjoyment, positivity and connection. Practising creativity is the most effective way to indulge in exercise for your brain. Creativity engages the brain, particularly the subconscious, offering a therapeutic and uplifting way to spend time both with yourself and with others.

Give yourself permission to be creative. Repetitive and rhythmic actions in creative pastimes are known to activate the parasympathetic nervous system in a way that is similar to formal meditation.

Our friendly sessions encourage belonging, mindfulness, purpose, resilience and self-care, creating space to pause, unwind and be in the moment. Open to all ages and abilities, no experience is needed - just curiosity and a willingness to explore the many benefits of practising creativity for wellbeing

Creative Wellbeing - Hands on Books Project
Barnstaple, Coming Soon!

REFERENCE: 9 surprising Benefits of Practising Creativity
Jordan Kirby @creativealliance.org.uk

Space to Be works in collaboration with other local organisations and wellbeing professionals, bringing the very best to our community in Barnstaple and surrounding areas.

Sharing Inclusive & Accessible Wellbeing in Welcoming Safe Spaces

Karen Dunnett

Director

Karen has been working in the community over the last few years as a Yoga Teacher sharing her passion for yoga to all abilities. Her mission is to make yoga accessible for all, offering classes that welcome everyone, whatever your age, background, or experience. As a great yoga guru once said, 'If you can breathe, you can do yoga'.

Clare Colby

Director

Clare has lived and worked creatively in the South West for over thirty years. As a self confessed paper obsessive, Clare has a passion for making, decorating and using this unassuming material in group discussions and workshops. Helping people explore the many benefits of engaging in creativity for wellbeing.

Jeanine Ash

Director

Jeanine is actively involved in the community, sharing inclusive and accessible Yoga, Tai Chi for Wellbeing, Mindful Movement and community Mindfulness sessions. As a qualified wellbeing practitioner and an educational teacher, she looks forward to sharing the positive benefits of wellbeing in the community.

Jeanine is an amazing practitioner. She has such empathy and compassion for the people that she works with and is incredibly flexible in her approach to meeting the needs of her clients. As a mental health recovery practitioner, I cannot over state how grateful I am for having met Jeanine. She offers a sensitive, person-centered practice and is always willing to go the extra mile to embody the loving ethos that she promotes.
Devon Mental Health Alliance
Recovery Practitioner

Karen is a great yoga teacher, encouraging and recognising everyone has their own abilities, so no pressure. I attend her wind down classes at the Old School in Long Melford. Although it's gentle yoga, I do feel the physical benefits and mental wellbeing, always ensuring a good night's sleep afterwards. I've been doing yoga for 30 years now and can honestly say that Karen is the best tutor I've had, she is lovely and makes you feel at ease.
Wind Down Yoga
Gill in Suffolk

I have sent a number of my patients to Jeanine for her chair yoga sessions. They have found the sessions accessible and have been able to do them at their own pace. Jeanine is a calming and welcoming person and this has made people feel relaxed and encouraged before and during the sessions. This has then given people confidence to pursue other activities as well as improving their physical health. Thank you Jeanine!
Barnstaple Alliance Primary Care
Wellbeing Linkworker

Chair Yoga with Karen is a wonderful experience, it suits young or old, people with mobility issues or disabilities. Karen will give alternative positions if you have problems carrying out some of the moves. A very social atmosphere within the group. Everyone welcomed.
Chair Yoga
David in Devon

On behalf of the Barnstaple HOPE Programme, for people living with Fibromyalgia, I wanted to say a very big thank you for coming to our group yesterday and providing us with a sample session of your chair-based yoga. We all found the yoga very relaxing, even those who suffer with chronic joint pain managed to take part. Your explanation of the yoga moves, and what not to do if it hurt, was really positive.
Barnstaple HOPE Programme
HOPE Coordinator

Great class - you feel that you can work at your own pace and Karen makes you feel relaxed . Highly recommend
Wind Down Yoga
Robbie in Suffolk

Barnstaple, UK

Welcome

Who We Work With

Space to Be works in collaboration with other local organisations and wellbeing professionals, bringing the very best to our community in Barnstaple and surrounding areas.

Meet the Team

Sharing Inclusive & Accessible Wellbeing in Welcoming Safe Spaces

Karen Dunnett

Clare Colby

Jeanine Ash

What People Say...

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