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.

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 which which is a vast, well ventilated room with a really high ceiling.

Wednesdays 11am – 11am at Wells Town Hall £5 per session

*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.

This friendly, informal monthly group for over 55s will offer a different creative experience each month. Celebrate the seasons with themed activities, professional performers and free refreshments.

Held at Paul Street Community Rooms, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5LA. One Thursday a month 10.30- 12.30 18th November, 16th December, 13th January, 17th February, 17th March, 19th May. Workshops are free, with a suggested donation of £2 per session. To book or find out more please email or call Louise.

Free guided sketching for well-being the first Tuesday of the month in Collette Park, Shepton Mallet. Meet at 10am at the bandstand, please contact Gill.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Creative group using nature-based arts, walks and mediation.

Every Monday 1pm-2.30pm at The Art Bank, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AA. £2 per session, contact Kate to book a space.  These are private sessions when the venue is closed.

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.

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.

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 – 01373 454099 / info@openstorytellers.org.uk

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

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.  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!  We provide all the tools and materials you need, plus tea and biscuits.

Mondays 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.

The Art Bank are holding community workshops on a Wednesday from 10am – 2pm, offering free arts and crafts.

Choose the music that you want to hear, enjoy games corner, art, quizzes, a talking café, special discounts on food & drink including soup for £2! It’s also an opportunity to tell us what you’d like to see or do at the Art Bank in future.

Somerset Art Works are starting a new online art group for health and wellbeing. The group is for Somerset residents and 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.

From February 2022 these groups will take place on the first and third Wednesday of the month. 6.30pm – 7.30pm.

These free classes, 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 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.

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. We have 2 weekly classes:

Every Thursday at 11 -12 at the Bishops Palace, outside when possible. Cost is a suggested £5 donation to St Margaret’s  Hospice.

Online class every Tuesday at 11 – 12. 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.

Friday 10-12.00:  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.

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

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.

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.  Our main emphasis is on horticulture and rural craft activities. We have a large productive growing space, polytunnel and cut flower/healing garden.  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.