COVID 19 Update: Due to the current COVID 19 situation it is likely that many of the face to face organisations and services listed across our website are suspended. Please call to check first.
Do you want to find groups and support in the community that might help you improve your health and wellbeing? You can find lots of local support from charities to social groups in the Health Connections Mendip Directory.
Action for Happiness is a movement of people committed to building a happier and more caring society. We want to see a fundamentally different way of life – where people care less about what they can get just for themselves and more about the happiness of others.
We bring together like-minded people from all walks of life and help them take practical action, drawing on the latest scientific research. We are backed by leading experts from diverse fields including psychology, education, economics and social innovation.
Members of the movement make a simple pledge: to try to create more happiness in the world around them. We provide ideas and resources to enable people to take action at home, at work or in their community. Many of our members form local groups to take action together.
The Art Bank is open online. Please check out their web page below to see what’s on and sign up for their creative courses; all their online workshops are free for people living in Somerset.
Wild Memories are relaunching weekly outdoor group sessions from Tuesday 14th July 2020 with strict safety measures in place. Participant and staff numbers are limited to 6 to enable lots of space between us. Staff and volunteers will wear masks, and everything will be kept disinfected. These sessions will involve a range of nature and wildlife based activities, including arts and crafts, nature walks, and real conservation management to help keep Frome’s green spaces thriving. The sessions are free to attend, and free transport is also available.
For those not ready to join groups just yet, we are continuing to provide a varied programme of free activities to do at home or in the garden. Either way we invite you to join us. If you have any questions, or to sign up to our outdoor group sessions, just get in touch using the details below.
The Somerset Wellbeing and Learning Community 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 courses are for the benefit of people who wish to learn to live well, for their family and friends and for 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 places across Somerset.
Dogs for Health is an exciting new charity that aims to help reduce loneliness and isolation by visiting people in their own homes, hospitals and Care or Residential homes with well trained therapy dogs and their owners.
This is a free service to those who would benefit from time spent stroking and cuddling one of our therapy dogs.
Visits are tailored to meet the need of the client, ideal for people who used to own a dog but no longer can.
Covering Frome and surrounding villages.
Come and join us on the third Saturday of every month between 10.30 and 12 at the Shepton Mallet library- everyone welcome!
Would you like to improve your mental wellbeing? Would you like to meet new people? Would you like to get fitter? If so come and join our group, you can run or walk for first 30 minutes then join us for refreshments and a chat. Next 10 week course starts January 22nd 5:30-6:30 at Frome Medical Practice. Contact Health Connections for more details.
The community Djembe group Mendip (All) Drummers, meet each Wednesday from 10.00 – 1.00 at Croscombe Village Hall, Fayreway, Croscombe,Somerset BA5 3QJ to learn & practice mainly West African rhythms on dundun & djembe hand drums. New members are always welcome, whether experienced or beginners. The class is run by teacher Charles Johnson. Cost is £4 per week.
Root Connections is a community ‘not for profit’ market garden to improve mental & physical health & wellbeing. based at Stratton on the Fosse, BA3 4QF. We’re open on a Tues & Fri morning from 10am until 1pm, on a Friday we share lunch together. We make gardening accessible to everyone – from all walks of life. We have different areas within the garden to work on and enjoy. A warm welcome awaits anyone who would like to get involved in the garden & join a group of like minded volunteers
Women’s Wellness
ARE YOU A WOMAN AGED 40+? WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE MORE ACTIVE?
*Shepton Leisure Centre: Tuesdays 1.30pm – 3.00pm – starting 22nd October
*Glastonbury (Tor Leisure): Thursdays 1.30pm – 3.00pm – starting 24th October
Join our 6 week programme where you can meet other women, try a variety of activities, including Zumba, Pilates and Core Stability and take part in discussions on stress management, healthy eating and hormones.
For more information and to apply for a place please contact Jo Smith.
Brand new to Openstorytellers, we are excited to offer a Wellbeing Group for people with learning disabilities and autism aged 16+
It’s taking place on Tuesday mornings from 11.30am-12.30pm.
The group will be exploring healthy eating, gentle exercise, yoga, aromatherapy, creative writing and more!
Spaces are limited, so please get in touch if you’d like to book a place for someone – 01373 454099 / info@openstorytellers.org.uk
The Royal British Legion is helping the Armed Forces community in the Frome area. Providing a range of Branch Community Support to veterans and any serving personnel as well as their families, Including:
Telephone buddies, Home and Hospital visiting, Bereavement support, Legion Awareness Events and local information. If you’re not sure where to turn, please get in touch.
Feeling lonely, Isolated, would like to get out more?
Friendly craft group, meets second and fourth Thursday of each month at Frome Food bank, Park Road, Frome. 10.30-12.30.
Open to anyone age 15+Free but donations welcome.
Bring a project with you or come along to learn a new skill
New buggy walking session. They are led by trained walk leaders and for those who want to socialise and enjoy being outside. They meet on Thursdays at 9:45 for a 10 am start at the Cheese and Grain. Its a circular walk, approx 2 miles at a moderate brisk pace lasting about 45-60 mins. All levels welcome and a special cuppa deal at the end at the Cheese and Grain. Provided by SASP and Somerset Health Walks.
MAKE:SHED provides a regular open workshop space for people aged 18-35 to work on practical and creative projects, individually or with others. We meet on Thursdays, 6-9 pm in the Remakery at the Welsh Mill Hub.
You’ll get to use tools and equipment, learn, share and develop skills, meet new people and have support to sell what you make. It’s free. Everyone can get involved in fundraising, but it’s not required. Follow us: www.facebook.com/MAKESHEDfrome
Wild Roots – Baltonsborough, BA6 8PQ
Open to anyone who would like to improve their wellbeing through growing and learning outdoor skills. The main emphasis is on growing but other interests are explored including woodland management during the winter and small-holding skills. Open on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30am – 2:30pm. The project also welcomes volunteers, preferably those interested in gardening. Facilities are very basic – compost loo (no disabled access), shelter and camp fire. This group is open access and currently free – donations are welcome. There is a bus stop nearby (667 Street to Wincanton).
Wild Roots Wellbeing Days – Langport, TA10 0JD
These wellbeing days run on a regular basis and aim to improve the wellbeing of people of all ages through gentle physical activity, social connections, outdoor craft activities and learning skills in the vegetable and flower garden, with fresh produce for participants and volunteers to enjoy.
Come along for a cup of tea and a chat. Feel free to bring your knitting or other craft you enjoy, or just come along to meet and socialize. Every Thursday from 2.00pm – 4.00pm at Street Methodist Church, Leigh Road, Street, BA16 0HA. Contact Sally for further information.
Seed of Hope is a not for profit social enterprise, who work with people who have mental health issues by offering therapeutic gardening activities and yoga. The day is run from 10-4, which includes gardening, yoga, social time, lunch and support. They sell a lot of what they grow and will be working closely with the Glastonbury Food Bank. Please contact Kris by phone or email to find out more.
The monthly peer support group will be an opportunity for you to make friends and meet others who know what you are going through. It will be a place where you can share top tips, set goals and support one another. Each session will have 15 minutes of group education on topics like sleep, relaxation, exercise, connecting and other topics that the group might want. Last Tuesday of the month. 2pm-3:00pm. Frome Medical Practice. You can drop in for just one session or come regularly. No need to book.
Drop in to be weighed at Frome Medical Practice, the scales are opposite the Patient Information Area. A Health Connector will be there on Tuesdays from 2:45pm-3:00pm to weigh people who are interested in weight management. You could also take the opportunity to use the blood pressure monitor at the same time.
Please come and join her for a coffee and a chat.
Our next meet-up will be on Monday 10th of February 2020.
The Pancreatitis Supporters’ Network provides medical information and support for sufferers of the condition called pancreatitis. On this site there is a database of medical information, advice for sufferers and carers, a discussion board and a pen pals network.
Range of free or low cost courses available for health and wellbeing, open to over 16’s who are BANES residents and those over 16 and registered at a BANES GP surgery.
MONDAYS 11am-3pm
Based at a beautiful market garden on the outskirts of Frome, we offer a supportive group space for adults to participate in a range of activities:
Growing edible produce, natural crafts, practical skills, also mindfulness & creative exercises.
Our site is within walking distance of Frome’s town centre, and there is limited parking. Unfortunately the terrain is not wheel-chair friendly and reasonable mobility is required to attend. We provide all the tools and materials you need, plus tea & biscuits.
It’s free to join us! Just bring a packed lunch, outdoor clothes, boots and waterproofs!
Come & sit around our campfire drinking tea, listening to birdsong & relaxing!
Monthly low cost day retreats in Frome with Insight Meditation Teachers.
Welcoming people of all ages, ethnicity, cultural and religious heritage, socio-economic, ability, sexual orientation and gender identity. The days are suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.
Practical conservation groups carrying out seasonal outdoor tasks in the countryside. Suitable for those who are reasonably physically fit, no training required. See link for Somerset area programmes and contact details.
These gentle exercise classes are held at – Wells Town Hall, Market Place, Wells, BA5 2RB Tuesdays 10.00am -11.00am
Cost: £4.50
Supported by Age UK.
SASP (Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership) is a website that you can visit for a list of exercise classes & sports activities in Somerset.
We teach people with health issues and we teach people that need exercise and relaxation. The Tai Chi we teach, Shibashi, can be done standing or sitting– for further information on the Tai Chi classes please contact the class instructor. List of classes correct as of April 2019:
Binegar: Tuesday 2.00pm – 3.00pm Binegar Village Hall. Contact: Jo on 07730 397396
Castle Cary: Friday 10.00am-11.00am Methodist Hall, Castle Cary. Contact: Jo on 07730 397396
Friday 11.30am – 12.30pm Caryford Hall, Castle Cary. Contact Jo.
Croscombe: Monday 10.30am-11.30am in Croscombe Village Hall, Wells BA5 3RA Contact: Jan on 01749 346774.
Dinder: Tuesday 10.00am-11.00am Class at Dinder Village Hall, North of Church. BA5 3PE. Contact: John on 01749 676738.
Dinder: Tuesday 11.30am-12.30pm Class at Dinder Village Hall, north of Church BA5 3PE. Contact Paul on 01749 346774.
Ditcheat: Monday 10.30am-11.30am Class at Ditcheat Village Hall, Ditcheat. BA4 6RB. Contact: Richard on 01749 880308.
Frome: Friday 2.00pm-3.00pm at Frome Cricket Club, 30 Rodden Road, BA11 2AH. Contact: Denise on 07941 796635. £4.00 per class
Frome: Wednesday 4.00pm-5.00pm at . Frome Medical Practice Enos Way. Contact Denise on 07941 796635. This class is £5.
Glastonbury: Tuesday 10.00am-11.00am at Red Brick Building, Glastonbury, BA6 9FT. Contact Beith on 01458 898997.
Henton: Thursday 10.30am-11.45am at Henton Village Hall, Henton, BA5 1PD. Contact: Beith on 01458 898997.
Shepton Mallet: Thursday 12.30pm- 1.30pm at St Michaels Church, Park Road, Shepton Mallet. Contact: Ruth on 01749 342508.
South Horrington: Friday 11.00am-12.00pm at Heads Up, Upper Breach, BA5 3QG.
Wells: Friday 2.30pm – 3.30pm Class at Connect Centre Portway, BA5 2BE. Contact Mike on 01749 677277.
Cost: Classes from £3.50 per session. Contact the instructor to confirm for each class.
On Track is a goal setting group service. Come along to these friendly peer led groups where you can join people who are setting goals that might improve their health and wellbeing. Get support and support others, get on track and have a chat over a cup of tea. Please contact us on 01373 468368 for specific dates.
Frome Every other Tuesday, 10.00am to 11.30am – Frome Medical Practice, Enos Way, BA11 1FH
Shepton Mallet Every other Monday, 10.30am to 12.00pm – The Brasserie, 64 High Street, Shepton Mallet
Street Every other Friday, 3.00pm to 4.30pm – Fondo Lounge, 107 High St, Street BA16 0EY
This group is held at Wells Library, Union Street, Wells, Fridays 11am – 12.30pm and Glastonbury Library on Fridays 10.30 am – 12.00pm. Join us for free at a shared reading group where a story or a poem is read aloud.
For thousands of years, meditators have claimed many benefits for their practice. Our experience, and that of Headspace members, suggests that regular mindfulness practice, through meditation, is an effective treatment for stress, worry, lack of focus, relationship problems, addictions and more. Please access the website for more information.
A grass-roots charity in Somerset which aims to re-connect people with the social, health and environmental effects of growing, buying, preparing and eating local food.
An NHS Health Check can help you identify potential risks early and give you personalised advice so you can take action to reduce your chances of developing these health problems.
You can have an NHS Health Check if:
See website or call to book a Health Check.
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