Mindfulness Course for Staff and PGRs

Information about the Mindfulness course for staff and PGRs

Wednesdays, 22nd April - 20th May (5 weeks)

15:00 - 16:30

Inclusive Day Retreat online (optional), Saturday 16th May

Donation: Staff £50*, PGRs £30*

Course Teacher

Dr Kitty Wheater

Mindfulness Course

Mindfulness is a well-researched and effective means of alleviating stress, anxiety, and depression, and promoting wellbeing and flourishing. This 8-session course is intended for those who want to develop skills to deal more easily with the stresses of everyday life, study, and work. It is a progressive course, suitable for beginners and those with previous experience of meditation. An optional all-day mindfulness retreat online is included, on Saturday 21st February.

The course-book, Mindfulness: a Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World (Williams and Penman), will need to be purchased separately. The Chaplaincy offers a £10 book token towards reimbursement for this, attendance-linked (6/8 sessions, available on completion). 

Mindfulness training consists of formal and informal practices, cognitive exercises, and psycho-education. Over five sessions, you will learn to steady your attention, recognise and work with unhelpful patterns of thought, and orient mental habits towards presence and appreciation. We will investigate the patterns of mind and behaviour that give rise to low mood and a sense of being ‘stuck’, and those that promote good mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life.


As the course is progressive, you will need to be able to commit to the duration of the programme over 5 weeks, and to about 30 minutes’ home practice per day.


‘Really enjoyable and helpful – will definitely recommend it.’

‘I felt understood, supported and had a safe space to come to.’

‘Thank you so much. This feels like the beginning of a journey with meditation and compassion at the end. I feel well equipped to go forward and be kinder to others and myself.’


The course is not a treatment for any specific physical or psychological conditions, and it is not suitable for people who are currently experiencing very severe problems in these areas. Before you book, please check the course webpage for more information. If you wish to discuss whether the course is suitable for you currently, please contact the Mindfulness Chaplain, Dr Kitty Wheater.


*This is the recommended donation for the course. To make an alternative donation, please email mindfulness@ed.ac.uk.

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