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.
*Covid update: as a registered education provider, all groups are operating within government guidelines wherever possible. Please see the website for further details *
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.
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.
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
Wild Memories is a weekly group for anyone living with dementia or symptoms of memory loss. Our sessions are all about nature and wildlife – we do a variety of activities including arts and crafts, nature walks, wildlife friendly gardening, and more. The group is open to all abilities and we can create new activities together if you have particular interests or ideas!
The sessions are free to attend, and free transport is also available. Carers or family members are welcome to attend if you prefer.
Wild Memories takes place at Mount Community Garden, Feltham Lane, Frome. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 11am – 1pm, and from 2pm – 4pm. Prior booking is essential.
To follow current Covid regulations we are limiting group sizes, and carefully following social distancing and hygiene practices.
The Somerset 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 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.
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
Windsor Hill Wood is a small family based community offering Christian hospitality to people who, for any number of reasons, are finding life difficult. Come and join the community at Windsor Hill Wood for the day. You will be able to participate in all the activities of running the woodland and small holding as well as participating in silent meditation in the chapel and enjoying lunch together. To book yourself in please go to their Facebook Link or call the number below.
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
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
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.
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.
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 and 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 and biscuits. Come and sit around our campfire drinking tea, listening to birdsong and relaxing. It’s free to join us! Just bring a packed lunch, outdoor clothes, boots and waterproofs! MONDAYS 11am-3pm
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
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.
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.
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
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.