Mental Health Support
Mental Health Support
ALTON COUNSELLING SERVICE. ACS is a registered charity providing affordable and professional counselling based in Alton, Hampshire. We are proud of our 40+ years of care, and of the trust that we have developed through our work in Alton and surrounding community. Our areas of counselling expertise includes depression, anxiety, work-related stress, bereavement and relationship difficulties.
The Bereavement Journey is a seven session series of films and discussion groups that gently guide people bereaved at any time through the most common aspects of grief and bereavement, enabling them to process the implications for themselves and discern next steps. Hosted by the Parish of the Resurrection, at Alton Maltings Centre, Maltings Close, Alton GU34 1DT. To register and for session dates contact: Wendy Burnhams by emailing: bereavementcafe@potr-alton.co.uk
Goldfinch provides a safe space for people to meet, connect and share experiences. There are a number of community support groups offered at Goldfinch and open to all. The two main groups are The Mental Health Matters Group for parents of kids with mental health difficulties (monthly meet) and the Helping Hands Group for parents of kids with autism (monthly meetings). There is no charge for attendance to either of these groups and details can be found on the Goldfinch Website, or just call in to the shop and ask a member of the team.
Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is a NHS specialist service that aims to help young people aged 5 -18 years and their families who are finding it hard to manage their emotional and psychological health, and who are suffering with acute, chronic and severe mental health problems. To get an appointment you can be referred through your school, a health professional (such as a school nurse or GP) or a social worker, or by self-referral using the online form or calling 0300 304 0050 (Monday – Friday, 9am-2pm).
We offer free information, advice and help to children & young people under the age of 26 in Southampton and Hampshire. Whatever your issue, whether it’s around mental health, housing and homelessness, sexual health, substance use, money, or anything else, our trained youth workers are available to support, advise and educate you, helping you to grow in confidence, manage your life and build a brighter future.
Healing hubs support children and adults who are feeling lonely or isolated, for whatever reason, with trained professional advocacy friends. The Happy Healing Hut provides wellbeing workshops in the community, please contact Happy Healing Hut for details.
On Tuesdays The Healing Hubs Charity offers brunch in collaboration with Orchard House from 10am until 12pm on a donation only basis. This is a warm area to eat and socialise or just eat and go. On Fridays we offer the Meeting Place in collaboration with Alton Rugby Club from 11am until 2pm for a £3 entry fee (donations are very welcome). The Meeting Place offers the opportunity for a weekly social with activities and refreshments/light lunch.
We also offer Telephone Befriending Services: this is a weekly befriending call (approx. 30 mins) which is ongoing for as long as is required by the client. The client is referred via social prescribing teams. Self referrals are accepted via email or telephone (please see contact details below).
The Royal British Legion is here to help members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families. We support serving and ex-serving personnel all year round, every day of the week. Our support starts after one day of service and continues through life, long after service is over. We understand that life is hard sometimes and it can be difficult to know where to look for help. RBL understands that serving personnel can give up a lot to be part of the Armed Forces. We know that family life and relationships can suffer. And sometimes transitioning to civilian life can be even harder.
The Victim Care Service is a free and confidential service in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We provide individual, independent help to enable people to cope and recover from the effects of crime – our free, confidential service is available through our highly trained and friendly team.
Mental health crisis support services from local and national organisations.
Wellbeing Support
Active Alton is aimed at everyone in the GU34 area. It is a directory to inform you about all the opportunities for physical activity and exercise in the locality. Regular physical activity is the most important measure anyone can take to prevent disease and maintain good health into old age. It is easily more effective than anything else your doctor can prescribe to keep you well.
Altonu3a “learn, laugh, live!”
You need never feel bored or lonely again! We are a friendly, peer-led community offering over 55 different groups and activities from backgammon to bird-watching, current affairs to craft & chat and guitar to gardening; plus monthly coffee mornings and talk & teas, and regular coach trips. We welcome both new club members, and new group coordinators who would like to share their interest with others. You can pick up a copy of the annual programme from the Allen Gallery, the Museum, the Library and Alton Community Centre (ACC); and most indoor activities are held at the ACC. Annual membership fees (Sept – Aug) range from £10 – £60 depending on the frequency and location of the groups you have chosen.
Wednesday’s from 9.45am-11.00am at Alton Community Centre. Dance has been proved to be an excellent way to keep both physically and mentally healthy. Join us as we dance and laugh our way to fitness in a friendly and supportive environment. Body Moves encourages you to MOVE and think in a way that gives you an EFFECTIVE WORKOUT of the mind and body. The health benefits of regular exercise are numerous so come along and enjoy a variety of music, make new friends and just de-stress for an hour.
Barrett’s, Stomach and Oesophageal Cancer Support (BSOCS) gives people the opportunity to meet and share experiences with others living with Barrett’s or oesophageal cancer.
Breakout Youth supports LGBTQ+ young people age 11-25, through youth groups and 1:1 support.
Broadlands Equine Therapy and RDA, Medstead is totally focussed on helping as many people with varied problems as possible; to transform their hopes, horizons and win them new life goals. Set in a lovely, peaceful rural part of Hampshire countryside it is a calm and relaxing environment for all. If you are interested in helping at Broadlands RDA or if you are disabled or know someone who may benefit from riding at Broadlands please contact the office.
Information on cycling in Alton for experienced and new cyclists including: Top tips for cycling, Things to consider when taking up cycling, Guidance on choosing the bike that best suits your cycling needs, How to look after your bike to keep it safe and reliable, Where to cycle around Alton with map routes, List of Alton cycle groups.
The Get Up and Go team are very pleased to announce that a new range of exciting physical activity sessions for residents of East Hampshire and the surrounding areas who are not achieving their recommended levels of physical activity, or living with mild to moderate health conditions. We want anybody who feels they might benefit from these activities to join in, so go on, get up and go enjoy something new. To browse what we currently have on offer, head to the ‘book activities’ page of this website. If you have any questions or concerns about any activity or would simply like to know more about the project, contact us on welfare@easthants.gov.uk
Most people with long-term health conditions can be referred onto the GP Exercise Referral Scheme. These include asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, as well as depression, anxiety, osteoporosis and plenty of other conditions. Simply speak to your GP, nurse, physio or other health care practitioner. Everyone Active’s GP Exercise Referral scheme is the perfect way for people with long-term health conditions to move more to improve their health and wellbeing. We want everyone to be able to enjoy at least half an hour of physical activity, five times a week, and we’re here to help you. Our Exercise GP Referral scheme aims to provide opportunities for people with underlying medical conditions, or those at risk of developing conditions to become more active in a safe and welcoming environment and raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity, helping to create long-term behaviour change. Regular physical activity can help you manage your weight, have a positive effect on you mentally, improve your muscle and joint functions, and benefit your heart health too. Not only will it help you manage and control existing conditions, but it will help protect you from developing other health complications as well.
If you want to tackle a life-controlling habit such as smoking, drinking, over-eating, gambling, internet or social media addiction, shopping addiction, using drugs, etc. – try Fresh Start.
Some of these services can be accessed directly through self-referral and others will require a visit to your GP or health professional to discuss the best option for you. Dietitians can assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems. They can provide advice on what foods you should eat to optimise and improve your health. If you or your GP feel a consultation from a dietitian could help you then you can be referred by your GP or health professional. Local Weight Management Groups You may find local groups will help you in achieving your goals. Having like-minded people all aiming for the same outcome of improved health and diet can be a great motivator. Your local NHS will provide a free weight management programme that can support you with weight loss if you want to manage your weight.
Alton Men’s Shed is a registered charity based in Edgar Hall, Anstey Park. We aim to improve the well being and mental health of older men and women. A community initiative that can improve the physical, and psychological well-being of the whole person, allowing retirement to be a joy, with the benefit of helping others. A major boost to mental health with a sense of belonging and involvement. Social events are frequent and some members come just for a chat and a cuppa whilst others enjoy the challenge of trying new skills. The idea of a Men’s Shed, is something that is a catalyst to get retired men of all backgrounds, no exclusions, involved in their own well-being as well as feeling they can still be a participant in the community, whilst forming new friendships and camaraderie together.
One Way
An opportunity for anyone looking for friendship and to grow in confidence. Enjoy games, puzzles, art or chat over a cup of tea.
Walking Church for Men
Alton Walking Church for Men organise seven walks a year averaging 4-5 miles that begin in prayer and end in a local pub for a light meal. These are on weekday mornings in the winter and evenings in the summer. One summer Saturday afternoon walk is open to families and friends and ends with tea at The White Hart in Holybourne. There are opportunities to talk and reflect while enjoying a delightful walk.
We are keen to promote walking within the Alton area as it has such positive health benefits for all age groups, both for improving physical and mental health wellbeing. Our town’s green spaces and local countryside are beautiful and deserve to be explored on foot. Every year we are involved in two walking festivals (May and October) in Alton that offer over varied 130 walks. We also link up with local pubs, bars and cafes to devise walks to and from their businesses, so that people have a welcoming place for a drink, coffee or snack afterwards. Our website lists local walking routes and list all the local walking groups who can offer weekly and monthly walks for people of all abilities. They are very friendly and all welcome new walkers.
Tai Chi For All Tuesday’s 11.30am-12.30pm and Tai Chi For Health on Wednesday’s 1.30pm-2.30pm and Tai Chi For Complete Beginners Thursday’s 10.00am-11.00am at Alton Community Centre. Come and join in a gentle movement class with an emphasis on health and wellbeing, helping our inner strength, calm, balance and general health.
The class includes breathwork, movement on chairs and standing, mindfulness and relaxation. This class can help reduce stress and improve whole person health. I may help with many chronic health conditions e.g. sleep disorders, chronic pain, back pain, frozen shoulder, anxiety, low mood, bone health, menopause, heart and brain health. Classes run by Rebecca James, Yoga Therapist.
Wednesday’s from 19.00-20.30 at Alton Community Centre. This is a classical Hatha Yoga class involving stretching, breathing and relaxation techniques, together with a little meditation to enhance a sense of calm and wellbeing.
Adults Wellbeing – We aim to provide the tools and resources necessary to manage your own mental wellbeing. We will explore in which areas of your life you feel you may need some extra support and discuss how this can be achieved and a plan will be compiled that will contain details of any support we can offer you via our one-off workshops, courses, peer support groups as well as wellbeing skills you can continue to practice on your own.
Children & Young People’s Wellbeing – Our Children and Young People’s Team offers a range of wellbeing and crisis support. They can contact Young Minds Crisis by texting: “YM” to 85258 (24/7 FREE) or contact the School Nurse Chat Health by Texting 07507332160
Family Wellbeing – Our experienced team of Family Support Practitioners can work with your family for up to six months on a range of issues, with a key focus to improve mental health and wellbeing. The support involves regular home visits, working with the whole family, signposting, team around the family meetings and liaising with key agencies to ensure you and your family get the specialist help needed.