Directory: Creative Wellbeing

Relaxed, friendly book club for young adults in Frome. All are welcome, share an enjoyment of books with others of your age. Meet the third Thursday of the month at 7pm at Bridge Café, 43 Selwood Road, Frome. For £3.50 you get a brand new proof book, a cookie and a can of drink.

Somerset Council aim to provide accessible services for library members with special needs or disabilities. They offer support and services for carers, foster carers, home educators and child minders.

Specialist book collections cover mental health, autism, dementia, long-term conditions, adult literacy and learning English. If you have an accessibility issue not covered by these initiatives, please speak to library staff.

Additional concessions if you are blind, partially sighted or have other disabilities that affect reading such as dyslexia.

A friendly, relaxed and informal singing group open to all. All voices are welcome, no previous singing experience is necessary. Singing for Connection not Perfection! The group meet at the Seager Hall, Wells. Wednesdays 10:00-11:00.

£7 when paid half termly in a block.

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.

Creative Communities is a monthly group of professional performances with creative activity themed around the seasons. We try something new each month. No experience is needed, It’s a very fun, friendly and welcoming group.

The group usually meets on the third Thursday of the month from 10:30am – 12:30pm, at Paul Street Community Centre, 26 Paul St, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5LA, the cost is a suggested donation of £3, transport may also be available.

Dates for 2023; 15th June, 20th July, 21st September, 19th October, 16th November and 14th December.

To find out more or to book a space please make contact on the below contact 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.

Drum Together group. Meet each Wednesday from 10.00 – 12.30 at Shepton Mallet Bowls Club clubhouse, Frithfield walk, Shepton. 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.

Edventure offer the MAKE shed and courses to young adults aged 18-35 whether you are out of work, looking for a new direction or just want to gain confidence.

The phone line is answered between 9am – 1pm Monday to Friday.

For more information give them a call or visit their website. The MAKE course is free.

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

Frome Writers’ Collective is an organisation that supports writers, including those of historical works, who live in the Frome area. The group holds regular socials and events and publishes members’ books, which include historical fiction and non-fiction titles. Annual membership £15.

Visit their website to find out more and contact them to find out about how to join.

Are you unable to get to a library yourself? Would you like to have library books brought to you at your home?

The Somerset Home Library Service brings the library to you. The service is open to people of all ages.  When you contact us, we will arrange for a volunteer to visit you. You can discuss what you like to read and the best times to visit you, usually on fortnightly or monthly basis. The volunteer will go to the library to choose your books and deliver them to you.
Volunteers can also support you in accessing free e-Books, eAudiobooks & e-Magazines. They can provide you with audio books and DVDs (there is normally a charge for these items). Our volunteers have been DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked and have given references.

Please note, Covid restrictions are currently in place for visits.

Young Somerset’s The Lad’s Shed will give young men who are not engaging well in school or at risk of being excluded or are vulnerable, the opportunity to engage and get involved in a subject they are interested in. See website below for more information about the project and a referral form for professionals.

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.

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

Every Tuesday from 9am-12pm, Wednesday 9am-12pm, Thursday 9am-12pm 2pm-5pm. at The Woodbin, Somerset Care and Repair, Charlton Trading Estate, Charlton Road  BA4 5QE. Membership is a donation of £2.50 per week and there is an annual registration fee of £15. Come along and make friends, learn a new skill or bring a skill with you to share.

*IMPORTANT – Please contact in advance due to reduced capacity*

Men’s shed provides a venue for men to talk and connect with others while participating in group or individual projects. It provides opportunities for friendship and socialising in a safe environment while at the same time providing the space, expertise and facilities for men to pursue hobbies, crafts and other creative activities. Drop in and stay as long as you like, bring your own mug for a hot drink. Annual fee is £10, with a session donation of £4.

Frome Men’s shed: Mondays and Thursdays 9am-1pm

Welshmill Hub, Park Hill Drive, Frome, BA11 2LE

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.

Somerset Mobile Libraries provide a service to rural parts of the county where there is no static library. Wheelchair access is available on all vehicles, WRVS volunteers or the Good Neighbour Scheme can deliver. The mobile library driver will help you get on and off the vehicle. To use this service you just need to be a member of Somerset Libraries, membership is free.

See the website or call for the complete list of routes/stops and the dates/times of each of visit for the current year.

Movement to music exercise class offers gentle seated exercise adaptable for all abilities.
Classes are at : Frome Medical Practice, Enos Way, Frome, BA11 2FH . Fridays term-time 10:00-11:00 £5 per class.

Supported by Age UK.

Music 2 Connect run a free monthly music & singing therapy session for people living with memory problems, dementia and their carers. Held monthly on the third Friday of the month at The Salvation Army Hall, 21 Commercial Rd, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BU.

Please arrive at 1:45 pm for a 2pm start,  tea & coffee are provided.

For more information or to let them know you would like to attend please contact Judi on the number below.

Monthly workshops in drama and music from Somerset Community Foundation and Frome Town Council.  Held at Trinity Hall, Trinity St, Frome, BA11 3DE, from 1:45pm – 4:15pm. The course is free of charge and transport from and return to the centre of Frome can be provided. Dates for 2023;

• Music –  30th June, 14th July, 11th August, 1st September, 20th October, 17th November & 2nd December.
• Drama – 7th July, 4th August, 8th September, 13th October, 17th November & 2nd December.

Contact Bo Bowman-Shaw for further details and to book a place.

Every Tuesday 2pm-3.30pm via Zoom

This is a safe and welcoming space to meet new people; on alternating weeks, the focus of the group will be a session of shared reading and exploring how we can improve and maintain our wellbeing through self-care.

To share great stories and poems, read aloud, and have a chat about them. Everyone’s welcome, and there’s no pressure to get involved – it’s okay to come along just to listen.

To find out more information please contact Alison Hayward on the contact details below.

Brand new to OpenStoryTellers, we are excited to offer a Wellbeing Group for people with learning disabilities and autism aged 18+

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 telephone first if you’d like to book a place for someone. Cost per session is £2.

Research has shown that listening to a personal playlist can improve the lives of those living with dementia. Use this website to create a personal playlist to share songs and memories with family, friends and carers.

Health Connections Mendip run a postcard project in Frome and the surrounding area. Anyone can get involved, it’s aimed at people who may not be able to attend groups easily. If you’d like to receive a free regular postcard from one of our writers do get in touch.

If you’d like to become a writer we have a induction process and a project worker to support our writers.

Every second Saturday of the month there will be a Repair Café at The Art Bank, 13 High Street, Shepton Mallet between 11:00am – 1:00pm.

Come along and get items fixed for free; volunteers can help you repair electrical, general goods, bags and other items that need sewing. No need to book, just turn up.

We run weekly Shared Reading groups at the following libraries, bringing people together through great literature to talk, laugh and share. Just drop in and enjoy listening to a story or poem – there is no pressure to talk or read.

Contact you local library for more information or give us a call on the number below.

When: Every Friday

Shepton Mallet – 11.00 – 12.30pm
Wells – 2.00 – 3.30pm

In association with the Alzheimer’s Society UK. Come and join our friendly singing group,  Wednesday mornings 11:15-12:45 at the Seager Hall, Union Street, Wells BA5 2PU. £5 per person to include refreshments.

An informal singing, drumming and musical interaction group for older people including those living with dementia by Somerset Arts Well – Music for Wellbeing. Suggested donation £3-£5 or whatever you can afford. Refreshments included.

10.30-12 pm on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays in the month. (12 January, 26 January, 9 February, 23 February, 9 March, 23 March)  United Reformed Church High Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9DZ

Thursdays 10:30-12:00 St John’s Community Hub, High Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9DR (accessible from St John’s car park BA6 9LJ)

A new singing group for women’s wellbeing by Somerset Arts Well.

A friendly singing circle sharing beautiful songs from around the world, taught by ear. No Experience needed. Mums, grandmas or women without kids, all welcome.

At Portway Annexe, The Portway Bldg, Portway Ave, Wells BA5 2QF on Tuesdays at 10-11 am. Starting 5th September 2023. Cost £7 per session.

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.

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 courses are free and are listed on the website, link below. They take place across Somerset.

A fun filled singing group, for people with Dementia, Memory Loss and their carers.

Tuesdays – 1:30pm-3:00pm at Masonic Hall, North Parade, Frome, BA11 1AU

This website lists the Talking Newspapers which are available in your area. Listed are national, county-wide, Glastonbury and Frome Talking newspapers.

Bringing together people with an interest in technology, to make useful things for the community of Frome.

A mix of online and in-person sessions held at The Remakery, The Welshmill Hub, Frome. Annual membership is £5, with a small charge for in-person sessions.

Concessions available.  See the website for details.

The Reader is a free weekly reading group. Grab a cuppa, be with people and share stories.

Online – Tuesday afternoons (2.00-3.30pm) via zoom – for more information email Alison below.  Every other week it alternates with a wellbeing session.

Phone lines are open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. You can also call this number if you are interested in volunteering for them.

Shared reading brings stories and poems to life through through reading aloud and open conversation. The Reader are currently looking for people in Somerset to train to lead Shared Reading groups in their local community. Volunteers get a free training course and ongoing support from a thriving community of Reader Leaders at The Reader. To find out more information please contact Laura Merritt on the contact details below.

u3a is a UK-wide movement which brings together people, who are no longer in full-time employment, to develop their interests and continue their learning in a friendly and informal environment. Groups in Wells, Shepton Mallet, Street and Glastonbury.

Our shed is open and growing, we welcome both men and women through a careful application process. The main activities at present are related to woodwork e.g. making things to sell, repairing furniture and other items. We do wood carving and lathe working as well. The membership fee is £5 per year and £3 per session, which included tea/coffee and biscuits.

The Frome Women’s Shed is on Monday mornings from 9am to 1pm Welshmill in Parkhill Drive, Frome, BA11 2LE. Like the Men’s Shed, we are there to connect people, in a safe and supportive environment. We meet to make and mend things together, learn new skills, make friends, work on our own projects and on projects that benefit the community.

The annual membership charge is £10, and when attending a Shed session, the fee is £4, (or as much of that amount as can be managed).

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.

Free creative writing course. How to use the power of words to explore creativity in a relaxed supportive group. Writing can help support both physical and mental wellbeing.

Wednesdays 3.30 -5.30pm

The Lawrence Centre, Wells BA5 2PQ

Refreshments provided, all welcome,  no experience or referral necessary

Level access, free parking and disable facilities.

Online Contact Form: https://somersetrecoverycollege.co.uk/contact/