Counselling services

Through Bupa, Macmillan are offering up to six counselling sessions, free for people living with cancer and struggling emotionally. Within days, people who are eligible can receive specialist, remote support.

Find out more about free counselling with Bupa via Macmillan

The Counselling Directory

If you've found our website but don't live in an area where we operate, The Counselling Directory aims to connect you with professional support, listing professional counsellors and psychotherapists that you can find in your local area.

Focus Counselling offer low-cost counselling person-centred counselling in Frome and Bath

Crisis Safe Space - serving the Mendip area

This service is for anyone experiencing any type of mental health crisis, with or without a mental health diagnosis. Support is available via telephone, Zoom or face to face.

Email crisisprovision@second-step.co.uk 

The email address is monitored during the following times:
Tuesday 17:30 - 21:30pm, Friday, 17:30pm – 23:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am -23:30pm.

Alternatively contact Mindline on 01823 276892 to book a direct appointment

Bereavement support

Bereavement Centre
The Bereavement Centre is a leading bereavement organisation in the South of England, offering face-to-face, telephone, Skype and online support, offering free bereavement support and advice to people in Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset, through one-to-one work, wellbeing groups and educational workshops. 

Call 08081 691 922 or visit www.bereavementsupportgroups.co.uk/ for more information

National Bereavement Service
The National Bereavement Service offers practical and emotional support to guide you through what needs to be done. We can introduce the bereaved to trusted partner organisations in both private and charitable sectors, as well as provide information on the statutory requirements following loss, such as the registration of death and probate.

The Harbour (Bristol area)
The Harbour are a charity who offer free counselling for people facing death, dying and bereavement in Bristol.

Support for children and young people

Purple Elephant - Frome Toy Library:
The Toy Library allows families to borrow from a huge range of toys and games. Become a member for just £20 per family per year (£10 for families on benefits) and you can borrow our toys for FREE! Visit the Purple Elephant website for information about current sessions and activities.

Purple Elephant - Small Steps/Befriending service:
Purple Elephant also run several other services to support families: ‘Small Steps’ can provide you with pre-school parenting advice and signposting. We also have a ‘Befriending’ service (via social worker or schoolteacher referral) for ages 5-12yrs in need of an online buddy-chat once a week. 

Get in touch on info@fromechildrensfestival.org or phone 07960 565939

Covid-19 support services

Those affected by a life-threatening instance of Covid-19 are able to access our counselling service - see our Get Support pages. 

Hospice UK advice for those caring for a dying relative with coronavirus at home.

National Bereavement Alliance - useful resources for people worried about a loved one who may die before they're able to visit them.

Marie Curie UK  - advice for people with a terminal diagnosis during the coronavirus outbreak.

Child Bereavement UK - advice and support for parents or carers to discuss the possibility of a loved one dying with children and manage their own feelings.

Group support

We Get It - Bath area
Support and information for people in Bath who are dealing with cancer. Come to a workshop, find a local resource or simply meet others who know how you feel. Your experience. Your story. Your life.

Support for carers

The following organisations offer support and advice to carers.

https://www.banescarerscentre.org.uk/ - Bath and North East Somerset

https://carersupportwiltshire.co.uk/ - Wiltshire

https://somersetcarers.org/ - Somerset

After Umbrage - free short breaks for carers of people with terminal or life-limiting conditions

Creative activities

Creativity Works' Mendip Wellbeing Project run courses aimed at boosting wellbeing through creative activities including photography, journalling, creative writing and craft.

Find out more and book

Fresh Arts run therapeutic creative activities. Email fresh.arts@nbt.nhs.uk for more information.

Somerset Recovery College run a range of free courses aimed at promoting good mental health and enabling coping strategies when life is difficult. Find out more and book 

Exercise and fitness

Health Connections Mendip
The team at Health Connections Mendip can offer one-to-one appointments for anyone needing guidance about health and exercise. They also hold a comprehensive database of local exercise activities and support groups, including support for people coping with the impact of a stroke, dementia, COPD or bereavement.

Mojo Moves - Rare Species
Mojo Moves is a social fitness phenomenon & immersive aerobics dance class brought to you by Rare Species Theatre Company, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. It combines comedy with a proper workout to great music and theme tunes from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

Move Dance Feel - online dance sessions 
Move Dance Feel offer online dance workshops for women affected by cancer on Monday evenings and Friday mornings.

"As well as supporting general health through the physicality of dance; this experience is all about evoking curiosity, and offering the tools you need to reconnect and reinvent."

Book a place on a Move Dance Feel workshop

Somerset Recovery College 
Somerset Recovery College run a range of free courses aimed at promoting good mental health and enabling coping strategies when life is difficult. Find out more and book 

Women's breast cancer swimming group
A low-cost weekly swimming group, meeting at Kingswood School, Lansdown, Bath on Monday evenings 6.45 to 7.30pm. For more information, email Maggie Nicholson.