Features / #BristolCharityAdvent
#BristolCharityAdvent Day 1: Changes Bristol
Set up by volunteers with personal experience of mental health problems, Changes Bristol aim to create a safe space for anyone to talk about how they are feeling.
The charity have been running weekly peer support groups across Bristol for 12 years now, and are helping more people all the time.
Anyone who feels they are experiencing mental distress, whether directly or indirectly as a result of loved ones suffering, is welcome to attend meetings.
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Based in the Barton Hill Settlement, Changes do not require a referral from a healthcare professional and you don’t need to make an appointment beforehand; just drop in on the day.
The meetings are free and give people the opportunity to share their experiences in an encouraging and non-judgemental environment.
Changes now run 11 weekly meetings across Bristol in Whitehall, Easton, Barton Hill, Horfield, Stokes Croft, Knowle, Fishponds, Hartcliffe, Southmead and two in Bedminster.
The average group size is eight people and each meeting is run by two trained facilitators who are able to guide the discussion.
During the two-hour meeting, everybody in the group is invited to speak in turn and share their own experiences. It isn’t compulsory to speak if you don’t want to though, and those who are socially anxious are encouraged to go along and listen to gain confidence.
The charity also encourage their members to get involved in other social events. These range from theatre performances to coffee mornings, and all aim to raise awareness of or funds for mental health organisations.
A ‘Boiling Wellness’ session at Boiling Wells
Many Changes members also regularly attend mindfulness days at the Boiling Wells site at St Werburgh’s City Farm which involve both crafts and cookery.
This year the charity have launched a new fundraising initiative, Mend for Good, where groups of talented volunteers go into offices in Bristol and repair or resize clothing during the working day for a small charitable donation.
So far this has taken place at e3 in the Paintworks and Burges Salmon near Temple Meads, with more businesses lined up for 2018.
For more information about Changes Bristol, visit www.changesbristol.org.uk
This is the first feature in our #BristolCharityAdvent series of stories that we will publish every day from December 1 to 24.
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