Living and feeling better can start with a simple step-connecting. Health Connections Mendip is provided by your Mendip GP practices to improve your health and wellbeing.
Somerset Arts Well present Alive and Singing. A friendly, relaxed and informal singing group open to all. The choir takes place in the Old Court Room at the Town Hall in Wells which is well ventilated. Wednesdays 11am at Wells Town Hall £5 per session
The Old Stores Studio is an art studio, workshop and events space, based in the heart of Evercreech. We run a host of diverse activities throughout the year, including weekly art, craft & creative groups, and one off workshops. Most group workshops have a suggested donation of £4; refreshments are available to purchase. Please see our online programme to book a place or join a waiting list or visit our website for further details.
Free guided sketching for well-being meets every Tuesday at 10am in the “mosaic shelter” in Collet Park, Park Rd, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5 TT. Bring a mug along as we finish the group at 11am with coffee and cake. There’s an opportunity to offer a donation for refreshments but there’s no obligation, no other cost involved as all materials are provided for you.
The community Djembe group Mendip (All) Drummers, meet each Wednesday from 10.00 – 1.00 at the Croscombe village hall 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.
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
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.
Frome Town Band welcomes all players and beginners whatever ability or standard. If you would like to join a fun and friendly band, please contact them using the details below or go along to a rehearsal. For more information, visit the website below.
When: The band practices on Wednesday evenings, term times only:
Beginners 6.00pm – 6.45pm
Intermediate 6.45pm – 8.00pm
Main Band 7.15pm – 9.00pm
Where: The Old Media Centre at Frome College (attached to the Leisure Centre)
Cost: £9.00 per month for membership
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.
Growing Food and Friendships is a free weekly session for anyone who feels that they would benefit from a regular meet up, in a safe and supported space, where we will be working together to design and grow a beautiful, edible, community market garden while enjoying the land and forming friendships.
Tuesdays 10am – 1pm
No experience necessary and COVID guidelines will of course be followed. Spaces will be limited to 10 to allow for ease of physical distancing etc. Please contact 07857437608 for more information and to reserve your place.
Do you want to move more and feel healthier? Do you want to meet others and look at topics such as sleep, exercise, healthy eating, social and emotional wellbeing? If so, join in with this rolling programme.
Coleford: on Tuesdays 2.30pm – 3.30pm running for 7 weeks at a time. Please contact the Health Connections team to find out when and where the next programme will be running.
If you want to know more about the Healthy Lifestyles Programme please ring the number below.
Frome: on Tuesdays 10.30am – 12.00am, Frome Medical Practice, Enos Way, BA11 2FH.
Shepton Mallet: on Thursdays 10.30 – 11.30, The Conference Room, Shape Mendip, Cannards Grave Rd, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BT.
Wells: on Tuesdays 14:00-15:00 running for 7 weeks at a time. Please contact the Health Connections team to find out when and where the next programme will be running.
If you want to know more about the Healthy Lifestyles Programme please ring the number below.
The In It Together Somerset womens’ project offers exercise and sports activities for women. The project aims to increase activity levels in any women of any age (16+) in Somerset through community based exercise and sports activities.
For the full programme of activities and classes please visit the website for up to date information.
Anyone who has questions and enquiries please contact Charlotte Norman, Project Lead.
This creative group supplies you with lots of free materials and a great place to explore your creativity. All abilities are welcome.
Wednesday 12pm – 2pm, Connect Centre, Wells
Every week gives an opportunity to come and create, whilst making connections with people. This might be around drawing, photography, sculpture, textiles, painting etc. The sessions are flexible, so what you do is your choice.
Each session is modular, so you don’t need to worry if you miss one. No prior experience is needed, the sessions are accessible to new beginners.
This is a chance to get creative, get connected, improve your wellbeing and take a break.
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.
Mindline Somerset – 24 hours a day, seven days a week emotional support helpline.
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 10am – 12 noon.
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.
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
SELGrow offer a supportive group space for adults to participate in a range of activities: Growing edible produce, natural crafts, practical skills, also mindfulness and creative exercises. It’s free to join, just bring a packed lunch, outdoor clothes, boots and waterproofs! All tools and materials are provided, plus tea and biscuits.
Wednesdays 11am – 3pm
Based at a Vallis Veg on the outskirts of Frome, this 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. For more information contact Kirsty on the number below.
Somerset Art Works online art group for health and wellbeing. The group is open to anyone who feels that their wellbeing or mental health may benefit from a period of ‘time-out’ from daily routines and stresses and build new creative skills along the way. First and third Wednesday of the month. 6.30pm – 7.30pm. Free – for more information please contact Somerset Art Works below.
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.
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.
Tai Chi for Wellbeing can be done seated if required. It is suitable for all ages and health issues. Although a regular class it welcomes newcomers and visitors who may only want one or two classes. Every Thursday at 11 -12 at the Bishops Palace Wells, outside when possible. Cost is a suggested £5 donation to St Margaret’s Hospice. Online class every Tuesday at 11 – 12. £4. Please see website for details.
The Nelson Trust Support people with multiple and complex needs whose lives have been impacted by addiction or are in contact with the criminal justice system.
They accept referrals from any professional or women may refer themselves. Every woman is offered a detailed individual assessment of their needs across “pathways” such as mental health, family and relationships, addiction issues, domestic abuse. Each client has their own Keyworker who works with them to co-create a support plan to address their needs.
Gardening groups based at The Walled garden in Wells. Get in touch to book a place. Some parts of the garden are wheelchair accessible. No disabled accessible toilet at the moment.
Emotional Wellbeing Though Gardening: Mixed age active group, with younger adults. It’s aimed at people who may have been struggling with their mental health over the last year and are feeling isolated. Tea and cake is part of the session but people are welcome to work in their own space and at their own pace. Held on a Monday 10am -1.00pm
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.
Would you like to learn to garden? Grow vegetables and herbs and be with other people in a safe place? Improve exercise levels, learn new skills and keep your brain active?
Let nature improve your mood with free weekly gardening sessions in Shepton Mallet. All abilities are welcome and tools are provided. Sessions are run weekly by an experienced therapist.
Wednesdays 11am-1pm Shepton Mallet
Nature and wildlife activities in Frome, for people with dementia or memory loss. Let’s learn about wildlife together! Join our group sessions to get active, meet new people and help local nature and wildlife. Activities include arts & crafts, wildlife gardening, nature walks and more. Open and inclusive to suit all abilities and interests.
Mells – Mondays 2pm – 4pm at the Walled Garden.
Please call ahead to book your space. Carers and family members welcome too. Free to attend, transport available.
The Growing for Wellbeing Project is a small weekly group that welcomes people who want to get outdoors and learn new skills. We are in a beautiful rural location easily accessible by public transport. We can cater for any weather with large areas under cover. We also have a composting toilet, handwashing facilities and provide simple refreshments. Whether you need an excuse to get out of the house, want to dip your toe into being around other people again or just enjoy being outdoors we might be what you’re looking for. It’s not all digging and hard work, there are lots of more sedate and seated activities and jobs if these suit you better. Mondays 10.30-1pm, Catsham, Baltonsborough. Please use to the contact information below to book.
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 twice 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.
Words for Wellbeing and Read, Write and Recharge Courses – These relaxed and supportive groups are free of charge. Everyone is welcome.
Words For Wellbeing at the Connect Centre, Wells. Wednesdays: 3.30pm – 5.30pm
Read Write Recharge at Coxley Village Hall, Wells. Wednesdays: 11am – 1pm
Words For Wellbeing at the Crispin Community Centre. Thursdays: 10am – 12pm & Read Write Recharge at the Crispin Community Centre. Thursdays: 1pm – 3pm
These courses are provided by Somerset Wellbeing and Recovery College. Please email Laura or telephone the college to register your interest.