About us

The Grapevine Wellbeing Centre is the leading mental health charity in Buxton

Our centre is based on Buxton's Market Place and run by a team of trustees and staff

We are proud to have supported adults across the High Peak area and further afield since 2003. No referral is needed to use our services, and the majority of them are free of charge.

What we do

Weekday drop in

Evening & weekend wellbeing sessions

Grapevine Talks

We host light-hearted, engaging and insightful activities which are open to all adults who require support with their wellbeing and mental health conditions. We have something for everyone – a variety of different indoor craft workshops and light exercise, guided walks, visits to historical sites and celebrations. Our events are designed to nurture relationships, grow skills, and enjoy time together with our community.

Visit our Events page to see what you can sign up for!

A timeline of our history

Catch up with all the big events at the Grapevine over our 20+ year history

The Grapevine Mission

Grapevine’s mission statement is:
Grapevine Wellbeing Centre is an independent charity supporting adults within our community to improve and maintain their own mental health. We do this through bringing people together, promoting creativity and embracing the natural environment as tools to move people forward.

Grapevine Project (the legal name of the organisation) is a registered charity (number 1099746) and company limited by guarantee (number 08008019).

Our objectives are:
The relief of persons in Buxton and its environs who are experiencing or have experienced mental health problems through the provision of information, advice one-to-one and group support and the operation of a community café in an effort to build self-esteem, independence and sense of well-being.

Founded in 2003, Grapevine celebrated its 20th anniversary of registering as a charity in September 2023. In January 2022, having outgrown its original home, Grapevine Wellbeing Centre moved into more spacious, accessible premises in the centre of Buxton (many of those interviewed commented favourably on the new space).

In 2022 Grapevine secured a 3-year grant from the National Lottery
Community Fund to fund and develop its services; this funding will come to an end in 2025. It has also secured smaller amounts of funding from other grant funders, from small-scale fundraising activities and charging a small sum for some activities and workshops.

Grapevine has a staff team of five: A Project Manager, two Senior Project Support Workers and two Project Support Workers, with additional support from volunteers. Grapevine is a free, open-door service; no one has to wait for a referral or diagnosis and support is not time-limited. The drop-in Centre, open 5 days a week (Mon-Thu mornings and Mon-Fri afternoons) offers ‘a safe, non-judgemental, supportive space for anyone struggling with their mental health or wellbeing’.

The charity also offers regular social, creative and nature-based group activities either within the Centre or out in the wider community: mindfulness, creative writing, art and crafts, singing and wellbeing walks. There are one-off workshops, activities and group outings. More recently it has implemented a programme of talks on a range of themes relating to specific aspects of mental health and wellbeing, and widened its programme to include weekend and evening activities.

Our board of trustees and staff

The Grapevine team are not councillors or therapists, but everyone is trained, experienced in their fields and DBS checked.

Louise - Chair

I’m thrilled to have recently joined the board of trustees at the Grapevine Wellbeing Centre in Buxton. My journey with the Grapevine began through a project called Drawing on Buxton’s Heritage, which opened my eyes to the incredible work this organisation does to support mental health and wellbeing in our community.

I’m honoured to be part of their mission, bringing my own background and experience into this important role. My professional life has been rooted in education. I have a background in primary teaching, and I currently each one day a week in Whaley Bridge. In addition to this, I am the Head of Engagement and Education at the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust. Both of these roles allow me to nurture and inspire others, whether by fostering curiosity in young students or by connecting people with Buxton’s rich heritage. Living here in Buxton, I can see just how valuable the work of the Grapevine is to the wellbeing of our community. The support they provide is essential, and I’m eager to contribute to their work.

Mary - Treasurer

I have recently joined the board of trustees at the Grapevine Wellbeing Centre as Treasurer. I am delighted to be associated with this excellent project and look forward to being able to assist with the smooth running of the charity.

I recently retired from my job as Chief Executive of the Mounted Games Association of Great Britain which is a national equestrian organisation that I have worked for since 1994. Part of this job involved dealing with all the financial affairs of the company. About a month after I retired my daughter saw an advert in Higher Buxton Post Office saying that Grapevine were looking for a new Treasurer and we both felt that it would be ideal for me.

I am extremely impressed by the excellent work that Grapevine does for the community of Buxton and the surrounding area and I am keen to help and support them in any way that I can.

Ana - Manager

Having moved back up to this beautiful part of the country in 2016 after spending a couple of years by the sea on the south coast. I’m now very settled in the Peaks. I was pleased to take on this role in 2017.

I have spent 20 years working within both the education and charity sector, I have worked for a wide range of organisations including Universities, local authorities and independent charities. In this time, I have also gained qualifications in Counselling, Neuro Linguistic Programming and a range of therapeutic therapies. As well as a degree in Environmental Science.

My love of the environment extends to my hobbies, of walking, and gardening.

Sarah - Senior Project Support Worker

I have recently joined The Grapevine as a project worker, having recently moved back to Derbyshire following many years living in London. I am excited to be joining an organisation that directly supports the local community.

I gained my experience working in different charity and NHS settings, and I am also a registered Art Psychotherapist. I have an interest in how creativity and exploring creative activities can support mental health, wellbeing, and resilience.

In my spare time I produce illustrations, taking inspiration from wildlife and nature as well as pop culture. I also like getting out and about in the Peak District, watching live music, photography, gardening and cooking.

Janis - Senior Project Support Worker

I’ve been involved with The Grapevine for several years in different roles – as a volunteer, a trustee, and now as a staff member. From my involvement, I know what an essential service The Grapevine provides.

After a 25-year career as a BBC Researcher, I decided to have a change of direction. I studied for a degree in Theology, and spent 5 years as a Support Worker for people with learning disabilities, before joining The Grapevine staff team.

I’m originally from Northumberland but have lived in Buxton since 2013, and love its friendliness, beautiful old buildings, history, scenery, parks, and the fact that everything is within walking distance. In my spare time I enjoy reading, jogging, music, and TV dramas!

Karey - Project Support Worker

I grew up in London but never wanted to settle in a big city. I came to Buxton with my husband and young family, nearly 20 years ago. I love the wonderful history of this town and its strong community, of which The Grapevine is an important part.

I have a background in secondary education but more recently I have trained to teach Mindfulness Meditation with The Mindfulness Association.

I love the stunning green landscapes of Derbyshire and enjoy being out in the countryside walking and cycling – when it’s not raining too hard! I also enjoy yoga and Creative Writing, mostly poetry.

I feel proud and privileged to be part of The Grapevine Community.

Hayley

I recently joined Grapevine as a trustee and am really excited to be involved. My background is in communications, policy, and campaigns—I currently work for Citizens Advice and am passionate about helping to shape a society that’s fairer for everyone. Outside of work, I’m a keen trail runner, gardener, and crochetier (on rainy days!).

For many years, I volunteered as a befriender and gardener, working with Age Concern and local charities. When I moved to Buxton a couple of years ago, I decided I wanted a new challenge and started looking for organisations I could support in some way. That’s when I learned about Grapevine. From the moment I walked in, it felt like stepping into a friend’s cosy home, it was so welcoming and inclusive. I’ve been really impressed by the work that goes into creating a safe and positive space, with something for everyone.

These are challenging times, and places like Grapevine are more important than ever in supporting mental health and well-being. I’m really happy to be involved and to help steer the service so it can continue to thrive.

Caroline - Project Support Worker

Hello, I’m Caroline. After spending a long time in Yorkshire working in schools, retail and various other lines of work, I moved to Buxton a year ago and decided to combine my love of people with doing something hopefully both useful and enjoyable. The Grapevine is a wonderful place which manages to fulfil this for me and others.

Nicola

I moved up to Buxton in 2017 in search of the hills, after living in Cambridge (which is very flat!) for six years. I love spending time out and about in the Peaks or curling up with a good book.

I hold degrees in Accounting, Law and Criminology, and looked after the Grapevine’s money until Mary took over in 2025. People having a place to go when they’re feeling down or lonely is something that matters a lot to me, so it’s a privilege to be able to help at the Grapevine.

Marc

I worked as an electrician on the south coast before coming north to study 3D Design at Manchester in 1993. Discovering the Peak District shortly after, I fell in love with this beautiful landscape and enjoyed walking in the hills and still do.

I taught in a primary school in Manchester for many years before following a life-long interest in nature and the outdoors. I joined Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and as a people engagement officer and enjoyed sharing my interest with adults and children alike. I strongly believe in the benefits being in the outdoors has for us all.

I now work as a housing support officer. I enjoy playing guitar (badly), whittling and photography and have taken up running to keep fit.

We're here for you.

We can all feel a little blue from time to time. Why not pop in to visit one of our weekday drop-ins for a brew and a chat?