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.
This creative group supplies you with lots of free materials and a great place to explore your creativity.
Wednesday 12pm – 2pm
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.
Starts: 30th April 2021 10am – 12pm
This course is FREE to adults who wish to support their wellbeing be engaging in learning.
What have you learnt during lockdown? Learn how to better adapt to change, improve your resilience, share your experiences in a group setting.
This online (Zoom) course will enable you to meet with peers and share experiences. You will meet each week for 2 hours, a total of 2 weeks.
For people living with and beyond cancer, this six week course aims to increase the connection between nature and wellbeing.
The course follows a collaboration with Bristol-based nature therapy specialists The Natural Academy, who have trained four of WHY’s counselling team to deliver the course. Groups meet once a week in a beautiful natural setting and take part in guided individual and group activities.
Course starts on Wednesday 21st April at Combe Grove in Bath OR Thursday 22nd April at Chesterblade Hills near Shepton Mallet.
To find out more and refer yourself for the next WHYoutdoors courses or any of We Hear You’s services for people affected by cancer and life-threatening conditions, please get in touch by phone or email.
Online 8 week courses starting March 2021. Join these interactive, therapeutic sessions with other mums who may be feeling overwhelmed, stressed and anxious.
Have some space for yourself, a chance to share your experience with others in a small supportive group.
Tuesdays 10.45am – 12.00pm or 1.45pm – 3.00pm, or Wednesdays 10.45am – 12.00pm or 7.45pm – 9.00pm
Or days/times to suit you – get in touch for full details.
Women’s Community Services countywide across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset. Supporting people with multiple and complex needs whose lives have been impacted by addiction or are in contact with the criminal justice system.
We 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.
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 Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet.
We have three different garden areas to work on, one is sure to suit your level of interest. All abilities are welcome and tools are provided. Sessions are run weekly by an experienced therapist.
Starts April 2021
Tuesdays 11am – 1pm Shepton Mallet
Wednesdays 11am – 1pm Glastonbury
To join please email Alison as below
Knitting will improve your physical and mental wellbeing, it is good for your fingers and hands, reduces isolation, stress and depression. It can also help with relaxation, focus and concentration.
These Zoom online sessions are available to anyone over 18 and living in Mendip, providing a relaxed, safe and supportive environment to explore ways to stay well. Each session will include information on specific topics, time for discussion relating to the topics covered and more generally an opportunity to meet and speak with others in the community.
Managing Stress and Anxiety: Mondays 10.30am – 12.30pm via Zoom
How to Support your Own Wellbeing: Mondays 2pm – 4pm via Zoom
Coping with Change: Wednesdays 10.30pm – 12.30pm via Zoom
Shared Reading and Self-Care: Tuesdays 2pm – 3.30pm via Zoom
Go to the link below for more information and to sign up.
Online exercise classes and Relaxation and Mindful Breathing classes are available to anyone living in Somerset and are suitable for people over 60 who are actively able and can move independently.
If you have not attended an online class before, you MUST fill in both an application form and a Health and Safety questionnaire which are online, before your first class. If you have any queries or need more help, please email.
Zoom online courses run over 16 weeks for people with low to moderate mental heath difficulties. These are small group sessions to help you find your own potential and resources to support your own wellbeing.
Improve your self confidence
Empower you to take responsibility for your own wellbeing
Elevate mood and reduce feelings of isolation
Explore the concept of “inner blue sky” and improve resilience
Create relationships with your peers and gain understanding
Have a safe environment to talk openly about your mental health
To register please call the number below to be assigned a peer contact volunteer who will keep in touch with you until the course starts.
*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.
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.
We run four weekly groups at the Welshmill Roundhouse: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm.
Currently limited to 6 people per group. Please call ahead to book your space. Carers and family members welcome too. Free to attend, transport available.
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 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.
Windsor Hill Wood is also running a ‘Woods for Wellbeing’ adult support group starting Wednesday 27th January for 10 weeks, from 1.30pm – 4.30pm. Located in a woodland setting, the group will be completely outdoors, providing activities for adults seeking support in these tough times. It will be a space to relax, improve wellbeing and mental health, as well as learn some practical skills, such as basic green woodworking, whittling, bush craft skills and natural crafts. These sessions are especially for people who are struggling due to lockdown restrictions, with mild to moderate depression, anxiety or stress, or social isolation.
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.