CoLab

☕✨ This week, as part of our 10th anniversary celebrations, we opened up a space for people to drop in, enjoy a coffee and pastry, and share their experiences of CoLab over the last decade.

The conversations reminded us that while buildings, projects and partnerships are important, it is people who truly shape CoLab.

Here are just a few of the comments our visitors shared ☀️

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences, reflections and hopes for the future. Your voices are an important part of our story, and of the next chapter too. ✨

💙 Men’s Health Week 💙
Sometimes the strongest thing someone can do is say:
“I’m not doing great.”

Conversations around men’s health are often shaped by stigma, pressure and expectations to always cope alone. But nobody is meant to carry everything by themselves.

This week is about encouraging open conversations around physical and mental health, and reminding people that asking for help is not something to be embarrassed about.

Checking in with yourself, talking to someone you trust, resting when you need to, booking that appointment you’ve been putting off; these things matter.
Looking after yourself is important, and you deserve support too.

CoLab run a Men’s group every Tuesday 2pm-4pm with the Urban Learning Academy

🏳️‍🌈 Pride & Mental Health 🏳️‍🌈

Feeling safe to be yourself can have a huge impact on mental health and wellbeing.
For many LGBTQ+ people, experiences like discrimination, rejection, isolation or feeling unable to fully be themselves can affect confidence, wellbeing and sense of belonging.
At the same time, kindness, acceptance and supportive communities can make a real difference.

Pride Month can be joyful and celebratory, but it can also be reflective. It’s a reminder of how important it is to look after one another, create safe spaces, and approach people with compassion rather than judgement.

Sometimes support looks like checking in on someone, listening, respecting people’s identities, or simply helping others feel welcome and included.

And that kindness matters for ourselves too.
Rest, self-care and giving ourselves permission to be who we are without shame are important parts of wellbeing.

Everyone deserves to feel safe, supported and able to show up as themselves. 🏳️‍🌈💚