The Winter Wellbeing Kit is here to support your mental health over the holidays. It offers practical advice, resources, and tips from members of the OMH alliance. Below, you’ll find everything you need to keep yourself well and make the most of the colder months.
Emotional support from Mindline Somerset
Our team at Mindline Somerset are here to support you throughout the year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need someone to talk to about how you’re feeling or want advice about local services that offer help and support, call locally on 01823 276892 or freephone 0800 138 1692.
Mindline Somerset live chat is available on our website every day from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m, offering a compassionate space for emotional support and mental health advice.
Please reach out if you are struggling.
Crisis Safe Spaces
If the new year feels like too much to handle, Crisis Safe Space (CSS) offers urgent assistance and a calm, judgment-free place to talk. Bookable evening and weekend appointments are available when you’re struggling with your mental health.
If you feel your life is at risk right now due to thoughts of suicide or you have seriously harmed yourself, you need urgent medical help. Please call 999 for an ambulance or go straight to A&E—ask someone to help you if you can’t do this alone.
What is a Crisis Safe Space?
The Crisis Safe Space (CSS) service offers a warm, calm, and supportive alternative to going to A&E during a mental health crisis. It’s straightforward and easy to arrange an appointment with a compassionate team member who will listen without judgment and work with you to find a way forward.
To help you understand exactly what CSS offers, watch our video ‘A Visitor’s Testimonial’ and hear directly from someone who has used the Crisis Safe Space, giving you a real-world look at a client’s experience and how finding a non-clinical space helped them through a difficult time.
Find your calm this January
The Somerset Winter Wellbeing Calendar
To help you smooth out the ups and downs of the winter season, Somerset Council, Our Somerset and OMH Expert by Experience Leaders, have created a January wellbeing calendar—a resource to support your mental health with daily self-care tips and simple actions to make this January a little easier on the mind.
Help & advice from our partners:
Health and Wellbeing: Staying Supported
Citizens Advice Somerset
Citizens Advice Somerset provides free, confidential, and impartial advice on virtually any issue. Our goal is to help everyone find a way forward no matter what problems they face. So whoever you are, and whatever the problem advisers will be available providing telephone (call 0808 278 7842) and email advice to anyone who needs it. If you have access to the internet, the advice pages here can help too. We also understand that the new year can be a difficult time if you are experiencing food insecurity, our Food Resilience Map can help you find your nearest foodbank, community fridge, or community pantry. If you need a referral to a local foodbank, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us confidentially using the contact details above. We’ll be happy to support you and make the necessary arrangements.
For more information: https://citizensadvicesomerset.org.uk
Mind in Somerset—Your local mental health charity
The start of a new year can be overwhelming. Whether you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or just need someone to listen, Mindline Somerset is here for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out:.
Visit their website: https://www.mindinsomerset.org.uk/
Second Step—Putting mental health first
Take good care this during the winter nmonths – Crisis Safe Space is here for anyone experiencing severe emotional distress. Open to over 18s living in Somerset, you can book a phone session or video call or call Mindline on 0800138 1692.
Join Us for our Coffee Mornings at 2 Fore Street, Bridgwater.
Every Friday (except the last Friday of the month), we’re hosting a friendly coffee morning at our Fore Street location. It’s the perfect chance to relax, chat, and connect with others. Time: 10-12
Location: 2 Fore Street, Bridgwater
Who’s Welcome: Adults (18+)
Come along and enjoy great company and a warm cup of coffee, we’d love to see you there.
Go to their website to find groups to connect with and a host of wellbeing resources to tap into.
SASP—Increasing health and happiness through movement
Staying active in winter is essential for both physical and mental wellbeing, no matter your age or ability. Whether you enjoy the benefit of the outdoors or the warmth of indoor activities, find something to help you move more in ways that suit you. Staying active during the festive season is particularly important as it can help boost your energy and lift your mood during this time of year. Check out SASP’s Things To Do page for fresh ideas to keep you active or take a look at the Somerset Moves Activity Finder where you can find activities local to you.
Visit their website: https://www.sasp.co.uk/ Things to do: https://www.sasp.co.uk/things-to-do Activity Finder: https://somersetmoves.activityfinder.net/
Spark—Building healthy, resilient communities
We all know volunteering helps others, but did you know it can boost your physical and mental wellbeing too?It’s a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, and make a difference to a cause that matters to you. From virtual to in-person roles, indoors or out, one-off or regular—there’s something for everyone. Whatever your age, location or interests, Spark a Change makes it easy to find an opportunity that’s right for you.
Visit their website: sparkachange.org.uk/volunteer-campaign to get started.
Somerset Council—For a healthy and caring county
To help you smooth out the ups and downs of the winter season, Somerset Council, Our Somerset and OMH Expert by Experience Leaders, have created a wellbeing calendar—a resource to support your mental health with daily self-care tips and simple actions to make this year’s holidays a little easier on the mind.
See it here January Wellbeing Event Calendar
Visit their website: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/
Nelson Trust—Making change possible
For many women throughout Somerset, Winter is a challenging time that highlights the day to day complexities and challenges we might be experiencing such as substance misuse, debts, mental health, or family issues. Our women’s centre can provide you with a safe and welcoming space to seek vital support during this time. We offer one to one key working to address ongoing issues, groups with other likeminded women and a safe place to talk.
Visit their website: https://www.nelsontrust.com/
WATCH CIO—Your Potential. Your Voice. Your Way.
This New Year at WATCH CIO, we’re celebrating another year of community, connection, and compassion. As the festive season approaches, our projects continue to bring people together — from our Peer Pathways online sessions, where peer members connect and learn from one another, to our Thursday Project, where peer friendships flourish over conversation and a warm meal. We’ll also be rounding off the year with our Christmas celebration, filled with laughter, creativity, and togetherness — a true reflection of what WATCH is all about: people supporting people, and finding light within themselves and others. Discover the joy of community and the warmth of peer support this Christmas with WATCH CIO! To find out how to get involved or see what’s on this season, visit our Events Calendar or contact info@watchproject.org.uk.
Rethink—Working to transform lives
This information is about managing your mental health. It is for people who are 18 or over and affected by mental illness in England.
Here is a useful link: Advice Service from Rethink
Visit their website: https://www.rethink.org
Support for Families and Young People
Balsam Centre—Supporting healthy and happy lives
The start of a new year can affect our mental wellbeing in lots of different ways, from worrying about money when budgets are tight, to feeling lonely if we don’t have many people around us, or feel we have to act differently around others at this time of year.
See their their website calendar: https://www.balsamcentre.org.uk/
FUSE Performance—Creative projects to support health and wellbeing
The winter months can be a challenging time (for families and young people) and we hope we may be able to support with the survival tool kits and helpful suggestions for creative activities to support health and well-being. Why not join in with one of our face to face activities sessions or download some of our links from the inside out arts project. The resources can be used at home or in a youth, community, education setting.
Minehead Eye—A host of activities and events for all ages
Minehead EYE is dedicated to working with young people and communities across West Somerset. It is an established and well-respected Youth and Community Hub for West Somerset. The EYE is open 7 days a week from 10am, delivering a range of universal and targeted youth services, groups, and community projects; using its centre, professional workforce, 7 youth and community clubs and an outreach model of delivery across West Somerset communities. Minehead Eye is a £3.4 million centre and boasts of many facilities and resources across a spectrum of activities (sports, media, I.T., music, cooking and art). Its indoor skate park, climbing wall, music studio and café are unrivalled in the area, therefore often populated for recreational use. We’ve organised a variety of activities—from Crafty Explorers to Roller discos and acoustic nights—to keep everyone engaged and energised. We also offer a drop-in café with our wellbeing team through most of the festive season, providing a space to unwind with a chat and a cuppa.
For more information on their events, visit: www.mineheadeye.co.uk.
Young Somerset—Putting young people first
At Young Somerset, we understand that the winter months can be a particularly tough time for many young people and families. It can bring feelings of isolation, anxiety, or low mood. That’s why we remain committed to being a trusted presence during the winter period. One-to-One Support and Signposting Our Wellbeing Support Practitioners are on hand to offer individualised emotional wellbeing support, helping young people explore their feelings and navigate challenges. We also support families with guidance and access to additional services. Mental Health Practitioners in the Community Even during the school holidays, our Community Wellbeing Practitioners and MHST teams continue to work with young people, ensuring consistent care through the break.
You are not alone this winter. Young Somerset is here to help. 24/7 Support with Mindline Somerset. Young Somerset supports Mindline Somerset, a free and confidential listening service. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Mindline is a confidential listening service that offers a safe space for anyone in emotional distress or in need of support. Call Mindline Somerset: 01823 276 892 or freephone 0800 138 1692
Visit their website: https://www.youngsomerset.org.uk/
2BU—LGBTQ+ youth support service where it’s OK 2BU
The winter months can be particularly tough for some LGBTQ+ people. If you’re a young LGBTQ+ person living in Somerset, you may find that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning your sexuality or gender identity can sometimes be difficult. 2BU provides a support network at difficult times if you are struggling, want some support or you just want to meet others like you.
Visit their website:https://www.2bu-somerset.co.uk/
Dealing with the Challenges of Food and Socialising
Food-centric Christmas gatherings can be especially challenging for people struggling with eating disorders.
SWEDA—Supporting people affected by eating disorders
During the festive period, food is often treated as a central part of celebrations. So, for people who are worried about food, eating, or body image, this can be an especially exhausting and stressful time of year. Common sources of stress include: eating in front of other people, pressure to eat more food or food that feels challenging, people commenting on our appearance or food choices, and a general sense of pressure to be having a good time. The SWEDA team is here help: We have a dedicated helpline that stays open during the holidays.
We also have resources on our website with information about Coping during the Festive Period, and general information about eating disorders and recovery
Visit their website: https://swedauk.org
Loneliness and Carers Support
These services are here to support people who feel isolated or give care to others.
Age UK Somerset—Changing how we age
The winter months can be a time when some people may sometimes feel lonely, isolated, or low. Age UK Wellbeing Service offers a range of different elements – such as Walk and Talk, Wellbeing Friends and Friendly Phone Calls – to help individuals over 60 feel less lonely and always listened to and to improve their quality of life. If you or someone you know could benefit from talking to one of our friendly volunteers, click here to find out more. Visit their website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/somerset/
Thrive
We are a charity who supports communities in Somerset to Thrive. We believe that everyone living in Somerset should have access to the support they need to meet their basic needs in food, fuel, transport and health.
Somerset Carers Service Somerset Carers service provides support for unpaid carers including information, advice and carers groups. Christmas can bring extra challenges that can impact carers wellbeing and that of the person they are caring for. Our downloadable resources include a carers checklist with useful contacts and some top tips for carers during the festive season.
Visit their website: https://somersetcarers.org/
Village Agents Our Village Agent service supports anyone living in Somerset who is facing a worrying or tough time. This could be because of a number of reasons; health, finances, housing or feelings of loneliness and isolation. You can access your local Village Agent through one of our Talking Cafes, or directly by requesting a call back on our website – https://thrivesomerset.org.uk/
Diverse and Displaced Communities We work with and support minority ethnic communities across Somerset, including refugees and displaced people. We are leading the The Welcome to All partnership which addresses the growing need for practical, compassionate support rooted in lived experience and delivered through trusted community organisations. Our Somerset Diverse Communities team supports people from ethnically diverse, faith and marginalised backgrounds. We work closely with local communities, building trust and listening to lived experiences.
For more information – https://thrivesomerset.org.uk/diverse-and-displaced-communities/
Explore our winter wellbeing articles
New Year, Gentle Aspirations: Why Kindness Beats Resolutions
Emotional wheel and workbook
Sometimes, our emotions feel like an overwhelming jumble of mixed thoughts, or maybe we’ve become so used to suppressing them that we don’t properly notice how we feel. That’s where the Emotional Wheel comes in: this guide will help you use it to recognise and name your feelings, and the accompanying workbook will help you explore them further.
The five ways to wellbeing
The Five Ways to Wellbeing are simple, effective actions we can all take to boost our overall health and happiness. When we look after our social connections, our physical health, and our emotional resilience, we’re creating a strong foundation for a more fulfilling life. Think of these five ways as everyday building blocks you can use to protect your mental fitness.
2. Be Active
Supportive NHS resources
OMH and the NHS: How We Work Together
If you’ve ever wondered what exactly Open Mental Health is and how different services in Somerset can work together to support you, we’re sharing a short video from Dr Sathya Cherukuri that answers those questions and more.
Although Dr Sathya originally recorded this to help local GPs understand our partnership, we think it’s just as important for you to see. It offers a helpful look at the way professionals from the NHS and local community organisations cooperate to give every person the right support for their individual needs. Watching this can help you feel more confident that when you reach out to Open Mental Health, there is a whole network of people working together to ensure you aren’t just a number, but a person who is seen, heard, and valued.
NHS Talking Therapies
Help for anxiety and depression
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s Talking Therapies service offers many different short-term treatments for anxiety and depression. These are available individually, in groups, or even by telephone and video to make things easier for you. Whether you are struggling with low mood, a traumatic event, or the emotional challenges of a long-term physical health condition, there is a path forward.
You can self-refer directly through the website. You’ll be offered a prompt assessment with an experienced clinician to look at what’s troubling you and find the most effective way to help.
How to get help:
Mindline Somerset
Get Urgent Help
Helpful Websites for Adults
- Samaritans provides confidential, emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to those experiencing despair, distress, or suicidal feelings. Tel: 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org
- Anxiety UK provides support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
- Beat supports people who are going through difficult times with eating disorders
- Bipolar UK helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
- CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably and provides support to men aged 15 to 35
- No Panic offers support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.
- Papyrus is the young suicide prevention charity. HOPELINEUK: 0800 068 4141
- Sane provides emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers. SANEline: 0300 304 7000
- Shout is led by trained volunteers who can help you in a moment of chaos/crisis to find calm. Free text 24/7 on 85258.
- YoungMinds provides information for parents on child and adolescent mental health. Parents’ helpline 0808 802 5544
- Womens Aid – Women’s Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children.
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 (run by Refuge)
- ManKind – For Male Victims of Domestic Abuse. Freephone 0808 800 1170
- Somerset Drug and Alcohol Service – Free, confidential, and non-judgemental support. Call 24/7 on 0300 303 8788
Help for Young People (U18)
- Young Somerset – wellbeing support including virtual hubs and counselling.
- Papyrus is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. They provide confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HOPELINEUK.
- Young Minds Crisis Messenger text service provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need support, you can text YM to 85258.
- Kooth is a confidential online mental health service where young people and adults can receive counselling, advice and support for their emotional well-being.