A small, intimate group for refugee and asylum seeker women to socialise and share skills with local people in a relaxed, homely environment. The group will be running from mid October 2019 – email robin@aidboxcommunity.co.uk for more information.
Resources: Support groups
Al-Anon Family & Alateen
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.
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.
Alzheimer’s Society
Alzheimer’s Society are a charity that campaigns for change in dementia care, funds research towards a cure, and provides support to people currently living with dementia. Services include social activity groups for those living with dementia, support groups for carers, and a national helpline.
Bipolar UK
Bipolar UK is dedicated to supporting individuals with bipolar, their families and carers. Services include support groups (Bristol Support Group meets monthly), a peer support line, employment support, and information services.
Brigstowe Project
The Brigstowe Project is a Bristol-based charity for people living with or affected by HIV or AIDS. They provide ongoing support, advice, and information to people living with HIV in Bristol and the surrounding areas.
Bristol Eating Disorder Support Group
The Bristol Eating Disorder Peer Support Group has been running for over twenty five years. They aim to provide a space for sufferers (aged 18 years and over) and for friends/families/carers to support one another. They are currently operating an online support group.
Bristol Gendered Intelligence
Monthly youth group for trans, non-binary, gender variant and/or gender questioning young people aged between 13 and 20.
Changes Bristol
Changes Bristol is a mental health charity that provides weekly mutual peer support meetings for those in mental distress. Their services are free to access, with no referral required from a health professional, and are open ended so that people can access the service for as long as they would like.
During COVID-19, support groups are primarily taking place through online video, although some face-to-face groups are operating.
As well as groups open to all demographics, Changes operate dedicated support groups for Women, Men, LGBTQ+ people, and Women of Colour.
Cocaine Anonymous
Cocaine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from their addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances. There are no dues or fees for membership; we are fully self-supporting through our own contributions.
Anyone who wants to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances (including alcohol and other drugs) is welcome.
UK Helpline: 0800 612 0225
Local info line: 07760 632 986
Email: info@casw.co.uk
Website: www.casw.co.uk
Crossroads Transgender Support Group
The Bristol Crossroads group has been supporting the transgender community in and around Bristol, under various names, for over 25 years. The meetings are informal and provide the opportunity for all transgender people (Transvestites, Crossdressers, Transexuals, both male-to-female and female-to-male) and their partners and family to meet and dress in a safe and supportive environment. There are changing facilities available for those who need them.
Cruse Bereavement
Cruse Bristol & District provides care and support for bereaved children, young people and adults in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
FFLAG (Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
FFLAG is a national voluntary organisation and registered charity dedicated to supporting parents and their lesbian, gay, bisexual and Trans daughters and sons.
They offer support to local parents groups and contacts in their efforts to help parents and families understand, accept and support their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members with love and pride.
FFLAG members are parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual or Trans sons and daughters. These young people and their families face serious homophobia and transphobia in our society, which brings in its wake prejudice, bullying and alienation.
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous
A group who aid help each other to recover from food addiction through shared experience and mutual support. Their program of recovery is based on the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The group meets in Totterdown on Monday evenings. New attendees are welcome to just turn up, or call Sheila (number listed on website) for more information.
Freedom Youth
Freedom Youth is a fun, safe, inclusive and supportive project for those aged 13-25 years, where you can meet other lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer or questioning young people. It’s open to anyone questioning their sexuality or gender – no labels applied! As well as groups, the Freedom staff offer one-to-one support and signposting, including to Off The Record’s in-house LGBTQ counsellors. The service is operated by Off The Record.
Gay West
A social and support group for gay people in the South West. Meets Sat mornings in the Rainbow Cafe in Bath.
Gender Jelly
A monthly safe space for young people (13-25 years old) who might be questioning their gender identity, or who identify on the trans spectrum, to talk about gender and what it means to them. Sessions are workshop based and provide support, information and signposting.
Hidayah
Are you an LGBTQI+ Muslim? Questioning your gender or sexuality? Questioning your faith? Hidayah offer support and support groups for LGBTQI+ Muslims.
Hope Project
To mark World Mental Health Day 2018, Second Step has launched a new project called Hope to prevent suicides among men.
The Hope Project will provide short-term emotional and practical support for men aged 30-64, specifically those who are in psychological distress or have recently self-harmed, but are not currently engaged with other mental health services.
The Hope Project team are experienced support workers keen to make a difference and save lives. To find out more or to make a referral and talk to a member of the Hope team, please call: 0117 4288 930 or email hope@second-step.co.uk
Mind Without Borders – Working in the Community
Mind Without Borders is an ongoing commitment by Bristol Mind to reach out to wider communities living here in our city. We celebrate difference and see that others whose background and culture may not be the same as ours, can… Read more
NB:South West
Non-Binary South West is a peer support group for trans* people in the South West of England (or beyond) with non-binary gender identities
Off The Record: Bristol
OTR isn’t just a charity providing mental health services, it’s a mental health movement mobilised to support, promote and defend the mental health, rights and social position of young people! We offer counselling in Central Bristol, and Yate.
We also offer a whole range of other services,including but not limited to projects and social action, nature works, and inspiration works which covers our creative side of the service. Examples of these are, Book club, Mindfulness, and Bristol meet ups, as well as our allotment.
We are a self referral service so you can either sign up online, or come to one of our hubs.
Overeaters Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous is a Fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience, strength and hope, are recovering from compulsive overeating. The OA Programme is based on the twelve step recovery programme of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Rethink – Bristol Siblings Group
The Bristol Siblings Group is open to anyone aged 18 or over with a brother or sister with mental health issues.
Rethink Bristol Carers Service
Rethink Bristol Carers Service is a local service that offers one-to-one and group support to people caring for a family member or friend who is living with/experiencing mental distress. A carers’ peer support group is also available.
Safe Link
We provide support for anyone (women, men and children) who has been the victim of rape and sexual abuse across the whole Avon and Somerset area. We also provide women’s mental health and domestic abuse support services.
Self Injury Self Help (SISH) Group
‘Self Injury, Self Help’ are a Bristol based community organisation, who run self-help support groups for people who self-injure. They create a safe space to talk, offer and receive support in an accepting environment.
Sex Addicts Anonymous
Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) is a fellowship of men and women who meet regularly to solve our common problem of sexual addiction.
Our individual sexual addictions have involved any number of practices. Some of us had trouble with one unwanted behaviour, some with many. All of us once felt trapped in a cycle of addictive sexual behaviour. In SAA we have found a means of recovery which has released us from our addiction. As part of our recovery programme, we try to help others who have similar problems. The programme is based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, although we are not affiliate with AA.
- National Helpline: 07599 917 686
- Bristol meetings helpline: 07794 769 494
- Email: info@saa-recovery.org.uk
- Website: www.saa-recovery.org.uk
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+
Single Parents Website
This website is aimed at parents who, for whatever the circumstance, are raising children on their own. It provides information, expert advice, interactive learning, multi-media content, links to other support organisations and news for anyone parenting alone.
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.
Studio Upstairs
Studio Upstairs provides artistic resources and support to adults experiencing mental and emotional distress and in drug and alcohol recovery. As well as visual arts, the Studio also has active music and creative writing groups.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide exist to meet the needs and overcome the isolation experienced by people over 18 who have been bereaved by suicide. They run support groups across the country, including one in Bristol, and offer support through helpline, email, and online forum channels.
TransUnite
TransUnite is a comprehensive resource for people in the UK searching for support in the transgender community. Our easy to use, mobile friendly directory connects you to an established network of trans support groups near you. Support groups bring together people facing similar issues to share experiences and advice. It can be helpful just getting to talk with other people at all stages of the transition.
Our aim is to bring these together and make finding them as easy and accessible as possible. TransUnite connects you to a network of groups throughout England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland and can be split into physical local and online groups.
Triumph Over Phobia (TOP UK)
Triumph Over Phobia (TOP UK) is a UK registered charity which aims to help sufferers of phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder and other related anxiety to overcome their fears and become ex-sufferers.
TOP UK runs a network of self-help therapy groups for sufferers of phobias, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and other related anxiety disorders. Our groups are open to anyone, aged 18 or above. You do not need to have seen a doctor or have a formal diagnosis to attend one of our groups.
UK SMART Recovery
SMART (Self Management and Recovery Training) is a programme that provides training and tools for people who want to change their problematic behaviour and addictions. Guided by trained facilitators, participants come to help themselves and help each other using a variety of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and motivational tools and techniques.
SMART Recovery meetings run across the UK, with several meetings in Bristol, as well as online meetings for those who can’t make it to a physical group.
WECIL Supporting Independent Living
The West of England Centre for Inclusive Living (WECIL) is an organisation run by and for Disabled people. This service provides specialist advice and advocacy support to anyone with a disability aiming to challenge the barriers to independent living.
Windmill Hill City Farm Tuesday Group
Windmill Hill City Farm is a great community resource and offers a variety of volunteering and educational opportunities for mental health users. They run a Mental Health Support Group. This group is for anyone living with a mental health problem. They aim to offer support, friendship and information.
Womankind – Therapy Group for Transgender Women
Do you need to talk about your journey and life as it is today? Are you struggling to find a sense of belonging in the community? Feeling low, anxious or depressed?
Womankind are offering a 12 month group therapy starting Spring 2018. The aim is to provide a therapeutic space where you can share your experiences with others. The group is free. For more information call the Womankind helpline or email Womankind