Support Groups

This is just a selection of groups in and around Bristol

Click on link below to go down the page to that particular group

Battle Against Tranquillisers
The groups offer mutual support to help anyone who wishes to consider the level of benzodiazepines etc. they take or to come off these tranquillisers. There is no pressure as we encourage clients to be in charge of their own withdrawal. We also welcome family, friends and carers who might like more information.
Battle Against Tranquillisers meet at the Bristol Mind offices at 35 Old Market Street, Bristol, BS2 0EZ on Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 7.30pm. No referral necessary.
Contact: 0117 966 3629 or 0117 965 3463 9am-8pm
Postal Address: PO Box 658, Bristol, BS99 1XP

(Bristol and District) Tranquilliser Project
For people who are involuntarily addicted to minor tranquilisers or sleeping pills. Runs support groups, one-to-one counselling and a telephone help-line.
Contact: Mon - Thurs, 10am - 4pm , Bristol and District Tranquiliser Project,
Phone: 0117 962 2509. Help Line 0117 9628874 (Monday to Thursday 10am - 4pm)

Bristol Survivors Network
An information network run by users and ex-users of Mental Health services.
Afternoon social - see BSN newsletters.
Meeting: Last Thursday of every month
At: Various venues, last Thursday of month, except December
Contact: Pauline 0117 924 8124 (daytime only) or Susan - 0117 923 1796 (daytime only).
Postal address: PO Box 2505, Bristol, BS6 9AJ

Care Forum
Includes the Purple Pages, which is a directory of services and organisations for disabled people
Contact: 0117 965 4444
Website: www.thecareforum.org
Email: jennyturner@thecareforum.org.uk

Changes Mutual Help Group
Changes is a user led mutual support group for anybody suffering from mental distress living in and around Bristol. People can phone first or just turn up, no referral is required. It is run on a voluntary basis by its members and works on the premise that the best people to talk to and tell you what has helped is people who suffered from similar problems to yourself. It offers a structured and focused approach to management of mental health symptoms, at the same time as providing a relaxed and supportive environment. The self help programme is supported by extensive literature produced by a larger organisation the group is affiliated to in the Midlands. The group is also linked to the national organisation Depression Alliance.
Meeting: Please look at group web site for meeting details
Contact: Richard on 07989 584524 Leave your name and number and someone will call you back.- This dedicated mobile is checked for messages every two or three days - So please be patient.
Website: www.changesbristol.co.uk
E-Mail: changesbristol@hotmail.com

Hearing Voices Group
Hearing Voices groups are typically, a number of people who share the experience of hearing voices, coming together to help and support each other, they exchange information and learn from each other, They share the same problems and may have similar life situations.
Contact: 0117 973 5142 / 0117 959 5811 / 0117 909 1096
Meeting: Every Tuesday 3pm - 4.30pm at Bristol Mind, 35 Old Market Street, Bristol, BS2 0EZ. For further information contact: Mobile: 07912 624 296, Tim / Glenn @ Grove Road 0117 973 5142
Website: www.bhvn.org.uk/

Manic Depression Fellowship
For people suffering from manic depression and those supporting them. A self-help group with monthly meetings and social events. Meetings are group discussions, but they also invite speakers and hold meetings for carers and video and "Topic" evenings. We organize social events, and provide a library, a newsletter and an informal telephone helpline.
Meeting: 7.30pm - 10pm on the 1st Monday of Every month , 2nd Monday if its a Bank Holiday
Contact: Phone Day : 0845 340 540 (local rate number)
Website: http://www.mdf.org.uk/
Email: groups@mdf.org.uk

OCD Group
There is a new OCD group for carers and sufferers of OCD.
It will be held at the Meeting Rooms, Limbs & Things Ltd, Sussex Street, St Philips, Bristol, BS2 0RA
For further information contact Sharon 07729 848675

Off The Record
Confidential counselling for people under the age of 25
Phone : 0117 927 9120. Off The Record, 2 Horfield Road, St Michael's Hill, Bristol, BS2 8EA
Website: www.otrbristol.org.uk
Email: sean@otrbristol.org.uk

Self Harm Anonymous
Meet at The Old Building, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Marlborough Street, Fridays 7.30-8.30pm
Contact Details: Give us a call if you’d like any more information, so we can answer any questions, give directions if needed and know to expect you! Gen: 07714337258, Natalie: 07704433949,Kali: 0786505807

SISH (Self Injury Self Help)
Group for Women for whom self injury is a personal issue - just turn up or to find out more contact SISH on
Meeting: Every Tuesday evening, 7pm - 9pm at the Bristol Mind offices, 35 Old Market Street, Bristol BS2 0EZ
07788 142 999 for details or E-mail: sishbristol@yahoo.co.uk, Postal Address: SISH, c/o 35 Old Market Street, Bristol, BS2 0EZ

Studio Upstairs
Art project at Spike Island studios on Cumberland Road for mental health users. Ask your doctor or CPN to refer you for one day a week to do art. It's a lovely studio and has a lot of resources.
Phone: 0117 909 9608
E-mail: bristolstudio@studioupstairs.org.uk

The Hartcliffe and Withywood Support Groups
Self help user support group run by volunteers for people who suffer from mental illness in any form.
Meeting: Wednesday 1.30pm - 3.30pm & Fridays 10am till 12 noon at the Amelia Nutt Clinic, Withywood.
Contact: John Wood 0117 902 8714

The One In Eight Centre
Wonderful centre on the Gloucester Road which is open to the general public and is much frequented by Mental Health Service Users. 1-in-8 runs a wide variety of classes, including French (beginners and improvers), Spanish (beginners), Yoga, Drawing, Art & Personal Development, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Guitar, computer classes, computer access, opportunities to volunteer and 2 self-help groups. Full details of these can be found on the One In Eight website. The classes are sometimes run by users and outside personnel and are very friendly and welcoming. There is a common room offering cheap tea and coffee and there are several drop-in sessions a per week. Most highly recommended.
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9.30am to 4.30pm
Contact: 0117 924 6228
Address: One In Eight, 160 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8NT
Website: http://www.oneineight.co.uk/
E-mail: oneineight@blueyonder.co.uk

The West of England Social Anxiety Support Group (SA West)
Has been running since January 2002, it provides support for sufferers and ex-sufferers of Social Anxiety Disorder.
Meeting: Thursdays 7pm - 9pm.
Address: Bristol Mind, 35 Old Market Street, Old Market, Bristol, BS2 0EZ.
Email: email@sawest.org.

Triumph Over Phobia
Triumph Over Phobia runs a national network of self-help groups designed to help sufferers of phobia and OCD to overcome their problems using graded self-exposure (a lay form of behaviour therapy) in a supportive group environment. There are 35 groups nationwide with many more in the pipeline. Please phone: 0845 600 9601 for details of your nearest group. There is a small joining fee and weekly subscription with group attendance (waived for the low waged).
Contact: Trilby Breckman, Development Officer, Triumph Over Phobia, PO Box 3760, Bath, BA2 3WY
Website: www.topuk.org
Email: info@topuk.org

Windmill Hill City Farm Tuesday Survivors Group
The farm is a great community resource and offers a variety of volunteering and educational opportunities for mental health users.