Breathing Space London

Breathing Space London is the London Buddhist Centre's mental health and well-being project, based in Bethnal Green, East London. It is a not-for-profit organisation that teaches mindfulness and meditation to help people overcome chronic stress, anxiety and depression, and to find more joy and fulfilment.

The project began in 2004, when NHS consultant psychiatrist and ordained Buddhist Dr Paramabandhu Groves saw a chance to bring his professional background and Buddhist practice together. He developed courses in mindfulness for people recovering from recurrent depression, stress and addiction. A team of Buddhist teachers was then trained to teach mindfulness-based approaches under his supervision, offering the material in an entirely religion-free way. In 2007 the London Buddhist Centre received lottery funds to build a dedicated secular mindfulness centre, and Breathing Space became the first purpose-built mindfulness venue in the UK.

The approach combines the latest evidence-based material in Mindfulness Based Interventions with more than twenty years of in-house course evaluation and development. The programme includes workshops, courses, day retreats and residential retreats. It also includes a free stress reduction programme for unpaid carers. The team works closely with local councils, GP practices, mental health organisations and charities across London.

The teachers and staff are Buddhists practising within the London Buddhist Centre community, and mindfulness is their way of life. Many have more than a decade of experience practising and teaching, and give their time freely. Volunteers who have benefited from the tools also support the courses. Community matters here: people often form lasting friendships through the groups, and the activities are open to all. Since the pandemic, part of the programme has run online and has reached people around the world.