Wells Bipolar Support Group belongs to the national network of local groups run by Bipolar UK. Bipolar UK support groups offer: Peer support through group discussion, useful information, social activities and guidance on managing mood swings. Group meetings are friendly, confidential and informal. They are open to all individuals affected by bipolar, including those with a diagnosis, those pre- diagnosis, their family members, friends and carers. The group meets on: First Thursday of every month, 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Wells Town Hall, East Room, Wells Market Place.

Chard WATCH supports isolated adults needing support. Anyone that joins the project can become a member and contribute to running the organisation. The organisation helps people to fulfil their potential through workshops and activities like: art, reading, drama, personal awareness courses, IT, and most importantly peer relationships.

Working with Somerset Skills and Learning & Somerset Mental health service they also offer free peer support courses.

At the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust we produce booklets and posters on many aspects of mental health. These are free to download or order and include our Parent’s Guide to Depression. Mental health problems in children and young people, national and local organisations that offer guidance for parents leaflet  Parents leaflet Somerset Printable version

Cookery Course that meets every other Wednesday 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Based at Mind In Somerset, 57C High Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AQ.

You will be shown how food can impact your mental health, and how to give you the knowledge needed to cook great meals for yourself.

The course is free of charge and open to everyone to attend.

Please contact Alison direct on the details below;

Creativity Works offers an opportunity to learn some creative skills, make new friends and is suitable for people who are in the process of recovery from ongoing mental health challenges, anxiety or depression, to help build confidence, learn new skills and make friends.

The courses available will encourage people to have a focus, participate creatively with professional artists, and meet like-minded individuals in a safe and supportive environment. To see free courses on offer please go to our website, link below. Courses are currently offered online using Zoom for people living in Mendip.

Community Outreach is supporting change in people challenged by complex and multiple needs – such as homelessness, addiction, mental health or other life-controlling issues. Our skilled and dedicated team provide short and long-term, person-centred support to create real life difference.

The Health Hub is available to all farming or agricultural workers and their families, no matter where you live. Come and see us for: Health and wellbeing checks, advice on lifestyle and concerns affecting your emotional wellbeing. Guidance towards any support you may require in the future No appointments necessary, just call in and speak to one of our volunteers. Supported by Somerset NHS and The Farming Community Network.

2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Frome Livestock Market Standerwick, Frome, BA11 2QB

Offers pastoral support and practical help to anyone in the farming community (currently or retired) when they are facing challenges and tough times. All volunteers have a farming background and are trained to listen confidentially and without judgement, for as long as it takes to resolve difficult issues

Glastonbury Mental Health Network (GMHN) is a charity that aims to connect local people with projects, practitioners, services and events that can support and improve mental health and wellbeing. The charity will also deliver its own projects and services, including local safe spaces and training courses.

GMHN runs a monthly Snug at the Red Brick Building, BA6 9FT – usually on the last Thursday of the month, 11am – 3pm. This is a safe space, open to all, with lots of creative activities available, gentle music, free refreshments and volunteer listeners. The event is free. Please visit the website (see link below) or Facebook page (facebook.com/glastonburymentalhealth) for further information.

Heads Up work with individuals affected by mental health issues and other difficulties, in order to help them towards recovery, greater well-being and quality of life. They offer a variety of courses, classes and therapies.

For more information give Heads Up a call, office times are Monday – Friday 9am-4pm.

Wells – Upper Breach, South Horrington, Wells, BA5 3QG

Somerset Partnership have produced self help information leaflets on a number of topics. See link below to their website where you can find their leaflets on topics such as anxiety, anger, depression, low mood, eating disorders, OCD, panic, self harm, shyness and social anxiety and stress.

Mind in Somerset offer a range of peer support, art and gardening type groups across Somerset. Visit their website to find the closest one to you.  They also offer an online self-care focused support group.

Somerset Wellbeing Friends groups focus on tackling loneliness, improving life skills and promoting coping strategies. This service is for adults who feel isolated or are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing. Online – Every Wednesday 11am-1pm. Contact Charlie for details on how to join.

Mind Somerset offers a range of services for under 25 year olds. You can find out more about these services by clicking the website link below. Young people can be referred by someone else or self refer by calling the office or emailing.

Mindline Somerset – 24 hours a day, seven days a week emotional support helpline.

Whatever you need to know about coping with stress, anxiety or depression, or just the normal emotional ups and downs of life, the NHS Choices Moodzone is here to help. Follow link below.

It offers practical advice, interactive tools, videos and audio guides to help you feel mentally and emotionally better.

OCD UK is the leading national charity, independently working with and for almost one million children and adults whose lives are affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD typically falls into four categories Checking, Contamination / Mental Contamination, Hoarding, Ruminations / Intrusive Thoughts.

Crisis Safe Space is an out-of-hours service provided by our partners Mind in Somerset and Second Step for anyone who feels like they are really struggling with their mental health. Instead of going to A&E, making an urgent doctor’s appointment, or suffering in silence, you can arrange a one-to-one session with a member of the Crisis Safe Space, who will be willing to listen and be able to help you. Sessions are being held either face-to-face or virtually depending on the location.

Currently (March 2022)  in Mendip sessions are offered virtually Monday- Sunday 6pm-11pm

Open Mental Health is an alliance of local voluntary organisations, the NHS and social care, Somerset County Council, and individuals with lived experience of mental health. Working together to improve the way people in Somerset receive support with their mental health by providing access to a number of specialist services including NHS support, housing advice, debt and employment advice, volunteering opportunities, community activities, peer support and local exercise groups. We want to ensure that people in Somerset get the right support when they need it most.

PANDAS is community offering peer-to-peer support to parents. They offer a free 7 days a week helpline, email support, Social media groups, Information and face-to-face support groups.

HOPELineUK is a confidential support and advice service for young people under the age of 35 who may be having thoughts of suicide or anyone concerned a young person may be having thoughts of suicide.

Opening hours are 9am – Midnight everyday

Whatever you’re going through, call  free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.  They are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Samaritans are not just for moments of crisis, but for taking action to prevent the crisis.

Branch visits are suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

*Covid update March 2022- Although our previous SANEline number cannot operate at the moment, you can leave a message on 07984 967 708 giving your first name and a contact number, and one of our professionals or senior volunteers will call you back as soon as practicable. You can also contact us, as before, through our Support Forum, Textcare and other services*

Sane runs a national, out of hours mental health helpline offering specialist  emotional support and information to anyone over 18 affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers.

Adult Wellbeing Group that meets every Wednesday 10.30-14.30. Based in Frome at Vallis Veg (a farm near to Vallis Vale – nearest postcode BA11 3EJ).

Free. Activities include: Nature connection activities, nature inspired crafts, mindfulness, drinking tea, chatting, singing, campfire cooking, gardening and more…

We run weekly Shared Reading groups at the following libraries, bringing people together through great literature to talk, laugh and share. Just drop in and enjoy listening to a story or poem – there is no pressure to talk or read.

Contact you local library for more information or give us a call on the number below.

When: Every Friday

Shepton Mallet – 11.00 – 12.30pm
Wells – 2.00 – 3.30pm

Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. We have  conversations with people who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who need immediate support.

Free 6-week nature and wellbeing courses with a focus on supporting mental wellbeing and physical activity. The course explores the 5 Pathways to Nature Connectedness; these are: contact, beauty, emotion, compassion and meaning.

The Somerset Wellbeing and Recovery College offers opportunities to learn about mental health and recovery by providing a unique curriculum designed to increase your knowledge, understanding and skills to equip you with the tools to live a meaningful, productive and fulfilling life.

Our students are people with lived experience of mental health difficulties who wish to learn to live well, for their family and friends, and the professionals who support them. We do not take referrals from clinicians and our students do not have to be using mental health services to access any of our courses.

All our courses are free and are listed on our website. They take place across Somerset.

StayingSafe.net offers compassion, kindness and easy ways to help keep people safer from thoughts of harm and suicide, seek support and discover hope of recovery through powerful videos from people with personal experience. The website provides vital ‘Safety Plan’ guidance tool, with easy to print / online templates and guidance video tutorials purposefully designed to help people through the process of writing their own Safety Plan to build hope, identify actions and strategies to resist suicidal thoughts and develop positive ways to cope with stress and emotional distress.

Talking Therapies offer a wide range of treatments for adults 18 years of age and over who are registered with a GP surgery in the Somerset area. Talking Therapies is for people experiencing mild to moderate depression, general anxiety and worry, panic attacks, social anxiety, traumatic memories , obsessive compulsive disorder and adjustment to living with a long term physical health condition. If you are 18 years or over and registered at a GP surgery in Somerset, there are a number of ways you can refer yourself to Talking Therapies: visit the their website or call for more information.

This project aims to benefit people with learning disabilities and people who are isolated, elderly or vulnerable in the community. A gardening service, led by adults with learning disabilities will be available to people in the community who are unable to care for their gardens themselves.

The activities include:  garden assessments – garden maintenance – garden waste disposal and some planting. Call the number below, leave your contact name and number and the jobs you would like done and the gardening team will call you back.

The Revive Sports Programme gives people aged 18+, who are undertaking their journey to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction (or other mental health challenges), the chance to get active and enjoy some new physical activity experiences. It is also suitable for those who are temporarily sober or drug free to participate in. To join there’s a simple nomination form for the participants to fill out. This can be done in advance or completed on the day of joining. Call Gareth John on the number below to find out how to take part.

Session Details: Revive Drop In. Frome Youth and Community Centre. Fridays 4pm – 5pm

People who would benefit from extra social contact can now self-refer for free ‘Check In and Chat’ phone calls. The volunteers provide short-term telephone support to people in need of a friendly phone call and encouragement to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Check In and Chat: An individual requires a telephone chat and some encouragement to reduce loneliness and improve their wellbeing (these will be from a number of different volunteers).

Check In and Chat Plus: An individual requires regular telephone calls and encouragement to reduce loneliness and improve their wellbeing and these should be from the same volunteer because of significant vulnerabilities such as dementia. (3 calls per week for 4 weeks from a volunteer).

Grow with Us: Open to a mixed age group with light and gentle gardening and growing activities adaptive to physical challenges. The session has a strong socialising component to it with tea and cake. Held on a Friday 10am-12noon.

The Growing for Wellbeing Project is a small weekly group that welcomes people who want to get outdoors and learn new skills. It is a beautiful rural location easily accessible by public transport. It can cater for any weather with large areas under cover.

Mondays 10.30-1pm, Catsham, Baltonsborough, BA6 8PQ. Please use to the contact information below to book. Booking essential.

Windsor Hill Wood is a small family based woodland community close to Shepton Mallet. The project offers refuge to people who are finding life difficult and may be experiencing depression or addiction issues. Some have been homeless; others have lost confidence and need respite to regain self worth, learn new skills and feel able to contribute to the community and the wider world. As a Christian home offering hospitality, part of rhythm of life includes the opportunity to pray silently together once a day in a small chapel – however attendance is optional. Please get in touch using the details below if you or someone you know could benefit from staying at Windsor Hill Wood.

Free creative writing course. How to use the power of words to explore creativity in a relaxed supportive group. Writing can help support both physical and mental wellbeing.

Wednesdays 3.30 -5.30pm

The Lawrence Centre, Wells BA5 2PQ

Refreshments provided, all welcome,  no experience or referral necessary

Level access, free parking and disable facilities.

Online Contact Form: https://somersetrecoverycollege.co.uk/contact/

Young Somerset is the largest youth work charity in Somerset. They employ Wellbeing Practitioners that offer low-level mental health support, through cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT), to young people in Somerset.