Resources: Support Groups

Al-Anon Family Groups – Bristol

Al-Anon Family Groups provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking, regardless of whether that person is still drinking or a part of their lives. Alateen meetings are specifically for those age 12-17 who have been affected by someone else’s drinking. A free helpline is also available.

Alcoholics Anonymous – AA

Alcoholics Anonymous provide a safe space for individuals to discuss their personal experiences with alcohol with the overall aim of overcoming alcohol addiction. Meetings are open to people in any stage of recovery.

Both open and closed meetings are available throughout Bristol and the surrounding areas, face-to-face and online. National helpline also available.

Bath Mind

Bath Mind offer a range of services and support to people living in Bath and North East Somerset, including befriending, counselling, community groups, a crisis helpline, and practical support.

Please note that these services are only available in Bath and North East Somerset, and Bristol Mind is a separate organisation offering different services.

Brigstowe

Brigstowe work to support people with long-term health conditions, including HIV and AIDS, with a range of advice services and peer support. Dedicated services are also available for migrants and asylum seekers living with HIV.

Bristol Beacon Music Groups

Bristol Beacon Music for Everyone Through the power of creating joyful music together, we hope to enrich lives, empower people with creative potential, and build healthy and happy communities. Bristol Beacon offers a range of music sessions and workshops for… Read more

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 LGBTQIA+ community. A specific service is available for recent drug and alcohol-related bereavements.

Bristol Hearing Voices Network

Hearing Voices bring together a number of people who share the experience of hearing voices, to help and support each other. This group aims to understand voice-hearing and intrusive thoughts through sharing information and experiences. The self-help group is for people with experience of hearing voices.

Changes Bristol

Changes Bristol provide peer support to adults suffering mental distress. Weekly meetings take place in the local area and online, and a befriending service is available to Bristol residents.

FFLAG

FFLAG is a national voluntary organisation and charity dedicated to supporting families and their LGBTQIA+ loved ones. An FFLAG group meets in Bristol to bring together carers and parents of LGBTQIA+ young people. carers

Galop

Galop are a LGBTQIA+ anti-abuse charity, providing support to LGBTQIA+ people who have experienced abuse and violence. They provide helplines, advocacy, online support communities, and dedicated services for LGBTQIA+ children and young people.

Mothers for Mothers

Mothers for Mothers offer a range of perinatal mental health support services. Most of their services, including helplines, one-to-one sessions, and counselling, are directed at mothers, but monthly support sessions are also available for fathers.

Nilaari

Nilaari are a BAME-led charity offering culturally appropriate and sensitive support, including talking therapies, direct support, and support groups. Specific projects target women generally, BAME migrant women specifically, and men with complex needs, including those with a history of offending.

North Somerset People First

North Somerset People First now also run some services in Bristol. They promote and encourage people with a learning disability, difficulty and/or autism to speak up for themselves, empowering them to be in control of their own lives, now and in the future.

NSPF’s self advocacy services support individuals from the age of 16 to speak up for themselves, be more confident and aware of their rights. These services include Speaking Up Groups, Consultations, Person Centred Planning and Advocacy, and Training Programmes.

Safe Space Support Groups

Bristol charity Changes hold four peer support groups which are categorised as closed safe spaces because they are only open to specific members – Women’s, Men’s, Women of Colour, and LGBTQIA+ online meetings. These groups are open to anybody identifying as part of the community that the group serves.

Social Anxiety Bristol

Social Anxiety Bristol (SA Bristol) is a self-help group open to anyone who experiences or has experienced social anxiety. The group offers a safe place to talk about your social anxiety and get help and advice from like-minded people who have been through similar experiences.

SWEDA

SWEDA offer a range of services for people with eating disorders across Somerset and the surrounding areas, including counselling and support groups.