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.
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.
BiVisible Bristol
Socialising and support for Bristol’s Bisexual Community. Please note that the link directs to a private Facebook group.
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 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 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 LGBTQIA+ 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
Bristol Wellbeing College provides free interactive workshops and courses to anyone living in Bristol aged 18+. You can learn tools, skills and strategies to improve and maintain your mental wellbeing. The College delivers online (with individual tech support) and in community venues throughout Bristol. Find out more and book via the website:
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 LGBTQIA+ 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, Bristol Branch
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.
Off The Record (Bath and North East Somerset)
Off The Record BANES provide a range of free services for children and young people, including counselling, advocacy, listening support, and targeted support for LGBTQIA+ youth.
Off The Record (Bristol & South Glos)
Off The Record (Bristol and South Gloucestershire) provide a range of free services for children and young people, including counselling, projects and activities, support groups, and targeted support for LGBTQIA+ youth.
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 LGBTQIA+ and BAME young people.
Reengage (Bristol groups)
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.
Robins Talk
Mental wellbeing sessions at Bristol City Football Club aim to help you get active and offer you the opportunity to talk in a safe space. If you are struggling with your mental health or just finding things in life hard, come along and join us. An hour of exercise can help boost your mood, self-esteem and confidence. The sessions are open to any sex or gender, you do not need to be receiving help or diagnosed to attend.
Sport in Mind
A charity that uses sport and physical activity to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems. Sessions take place in Bristol every week, all year around. To find out more about sessions near you.
Check out our Activity Map by visiting the website or by contacting Claire on 0118 947 9762
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.
Windmill Hill City Farm
Windmill Hill City Farm is a community farm and smallholding based in Bedminster. The farm and its surroundings act as a resource for therapeutic activity and improved wellbeing, and their dedicated Health and Social Care team work to improve the lives of people in a community environment, through services including gardening for wellbeing and supported volunteering placements. A number of community groups and activities also meet at the farm.