Age UK Bristol and Linkage provide a number of services for older adults, including advice, social and community groups, befriending, and practical support. Advice is also available for carers and family.
Resources: Social and Wellbeing Activities and Community Groups
AidBox Community Activity Groups
AidBox Community run small, relaxed community groups for refugee and asylum seekers. There are separate groups for men and women. Everyone is welcome for fun, to share skills, culture, language, and friendship.
BiVisible Bristol
Socialising and support for Bristol’s Bisexual Community. Please note that the link directs to a private Facebook group.
Bluebell Care
Bluebell provides services for all parents, partners and their infants affected by mild to moderate anxiety, depression and other perinatal mental health difficulties, during pregnancy and up to 2 years after birth in Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bath & NE Somerset and South Devon. Dedicated support is available for mums and for dads, as well as one-to-one and small group support.
Brandon Trust
The Brandon Trust exists to enable children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism to live life in the way they choose, by providing high-quality, individualised support that focuses on enabling people to achieve their dreams and truly live free.
Services are available in various locations across the UK, including Bristol, Gloucestershire, South Glos, B&NES, North Somerset, and Wiltshire.
Brandon Trust are a member of the Bristol Hate Crime and Discrimination Service.
Bristol Community Arts
Bristol Community Arts are a local charity which aims to improve personal wellbeing through art, mentorship, and education. They provide a range of unique creative education opportunities for the local community, prioritising under-privileged adults and young people (14+).
Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service
The Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service delivers a personalised package of dementia support to patients across Bristol. This includes healthcare, social and activity groups, practical support, and services for carers.
Bristol Drugs Project
Bristol Drugs Project provide free and confidential support to people who are looking for help with their own alcohol and drug use, and the people who care for and about them. Services include support groups, drop-ins, harm reduction, and a dedicated helpline. Specific and targeted support is available for children and young people, students, older people, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. A specific service is available for recent drug and alcohol-related bereavements.
Bristol Mind Greenspace Wellbeing Project
The Bristol Mind Greenspace Wellbeing Project offers refugees and asylum seekers an opportunity to get out into nature in a safe, quiet space, with chances to learn skills and connect with others.
Bristol Wellbeing College
The Bristol Wellbeing College offers a range of workshops, courses, and activities to support mental health. Services are available to anyone who has used Bristol Mental Health services and patients of a number of inner-city and East Bristol GP surgeries (please see the Bristol Wellbeing College website for eligibility).
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offer a range of resources and support for mental health. Services include a helpline and webchat, online information, and online social groups.
Crossroads Transgender Social Support Group
Crossroads is a social support group where transgender people of all kinds can get together, swap knowledge and experience, and have a fun relaxed time. The group is for adults only, and changing facilities are provided for those who need them.
Gay West
Gay west is a social and support group for LGBT people in Bath, Bristol, and surrounding areas.
Heart of BS13
Heart of BS13 work to challenge food insecurity and address physical and mental health concerns in the BS13 area. Projects include supply of food to financially insecure families, and community and social opportunities.
Hillfields Community Garden
Hillfields Community Garden is a community garden and growing project based in Hillfields Park, Fishponds. The garden currently hosts a number of free social and community activities for local residents.
Knowle West Health Association
Knowle West Health Association is a community organisation serving people in Filwood, Knowle, and the surrounding areas. Services include free ‘as long as needed’ counselling, and an allotment and kitchen garden.
Life Cycle UK
Life Cycle UK is a charity that aims to help more people unlock the benefits of cycling. The charity offers cycle training, friendly group cycle rides, bike maintenance courses, low-cost bikes and more.
Luv2MeetU
Luv2meetU is a friendship service for people with a learning disability and/or autism aged 18 and over. People are supported to make friends and share interests.
Many Minds
Many Minds is a Bristol-based charity that facilitates creative spaces, performances, and workshops for and by people with experience of mental ill-health.
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society provide support, guidance, and advice to autistic people and their families. Social and community events are also provided for both autistic adults and autistic children and their parents locally.
OTR Bristol & South Glos
OTR is a mental health social movement by and for young people aged 11 – 25 living in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Projects include social groups and workshops, talking therapies, and focused support for LGBTQ+ and BAME young people.
Reengage
Reengage provide social opportunities for older adults (75+) who live alone anywhere in the UK, including telephone befriending and monthly tea parties.
Rethink Support Groups
Rethink offer a range of support groups for people with mental illness and for carers.
Ride Out Ride On
Ride Out Ride On – RORO for short – is an inclusive and adaptable cycle service for adults and children based in Bristol. RORO offer sessions to disabled people and people with long-term health conditions who would otherwise be unable to experience riding.
Side By Side
Side By Side is Mind’s online community, where you can share, listen, and be heard. It’s suitable for those aged 18+.
St Werburghs Community Centre
St Werburghs Community Centre provide a range of services, courses, and events to residents of the local area, including family and wellbeing services and digital inclusion courses.
Studio Upstairs
Studio Upstairs are an arts and health charity providing creative community hubs and positive, life-changing interventions for people with mental and emotional difficulties.
The Beehive Centre
The Beehive Centre is a fully accessible community hub and meeting place in BS5, aiming to reduce social isolation and loneliness in the community by providing a range of high-quality activities to promote positive health and wellbeing. Activities include singing groups, gardening, exercise, meditation, and support groups.
The Carers’ Centre BANES
The Carers’ Centre provide information, advice, and support to anyone in Bath and North-East Somerset who is caring for a loved one. They also provide opportunities for social connection for carers.