How we use social media

You can find us on social media too. At the moment we're active on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

We use social media to share news, events, and relevant information. We love to hear from you and run campaigns like #WhatMakesMeWell where we share stories of hope and courage.

Instagram is a great place to share visual updates and we run #WhatMakesMeWell from here.

LinkedIn is where we engage with industry professionals, staff, and partners. Here, we share news, policy updates and also the latest Second Step vacancies. roles.

YouTube is where we share our videos and audio stories.

Facebook has a page for the Bristol Wellbeing College to share updates.

Contacting Us

If you'd like to talk to us, you may prefer to do so via our social media platforms, we'd love to hear from you.

We aim to respond to your posts within 48 hours, but please bear with us if we take a bit longer, we have a small communications team.

Where to find us

Second Step YouTube

Wellbeing Colleges Facebook

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We've been putting #MentalHealth first for people in the South West for the last 30 years. #HopeAndCourage

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Jul 28

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Joining a group or attending a course for the first time can feel daunting.

Our BSW Recovery Cafés offer a relaxed, welcoming space to learn more about the BSW Recovery College, meet tutors and fellow learners, and get a feel for what attending a class is like. Come along for a chat, make connections, and explore what's on offer at your own pace.

👉 Find out more or book your place via the link in our bio and click "BSW Recovery Cafés".

#BSWRecoveryCollege #RecoveryCafe #RecoveryJourney

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Jul 24

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Another joyful photo from Bristol Pride to round off the week! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Thank you so much to our brilliant team of volunteers who helped prepare and host Second Step’s stall at Pride this year, including Jean, Max, Alex, Ellie and Alice. You helped raise awareness of our mental health services and let people know that support is available when they need it most.

“It’s not enough to just say ‘we’re inclusive’. Attending events like Pride show people we are a safe and welcoming organisation. Times are tough for a lot of people at the moment and this was our chance to stand up and say 'We see you. And you are safe with us'." – Jean, Lived Experience Coordinator in Bath & North East Somerset (BaNES), Swindon and Wiltshire

Pictured: Alex (right)

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Jul 22

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As always, Bristol Pride was a joyful and uplifting event 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

This year, Jean Deacon, who has recently taken on the new role of Lived Experience Coordinator in Bath & North East Somerset (BaNES), Swindon and Wiltshire (Congratulations Jean!), organised our stall and the wonderful team of volunteers on the day. Here’s what Jean shared with us about the experience:

"So my Pride day started as it usually does; desperately trying to find people in a sea of rainbows and glitter in Castle Park. It’s a wonderfully diverse crowd always, with everyone in good spirits and full of kindness.

My kids usually take stickers to hand out and quite often get things in return – this year's highlight was tiny rubber ducks! And eventually we were off. The march was vibrant and loud, passing down streets lined with smiling faces and people waving flags. There was so much joy and acceptance you could feel it in the air.

Up at the Downs the stall was already set up and ready to go with flyers and information about Second Step (thank you Ellie!). Alex and I met Max there and we set to work spreading the word about the important work we do for our clients. It’s not enough to just say “we’re inclusive”. Attending events like Pride show people we are a safe and welcoming organisation. Times are tough for a lot of people at the moment and this was our chance to stand up and say 'We see you. And you are safe with us'."

Pictured: Max (left), Jean (right)

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Jun 30

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Happy Pride! This Pride Month we're celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and recognising that good mental health starts with feeling safe to be who you are 🌈

As a mental health charity, we work every day to support people to live openly as their authentic selves – especially in times of adversity and challenge.

Pride is a time to celebrate LGBTQIA+ experiences. It's also a time to reflect on how vital it is to continue speaking loudly about our right to live and love freely.

June might be Pride month, but LGBTQIA+ rights and freedoms are important all year, now more than ever. We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community now and always.

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Jun 24

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We really enjoyed filming our recent 'becoming trauma-informed' video with Open Mental Health colleagues.

Our trauma-informed approach is important, it leads to better outcomes for staff and clients. As one colleague said, "it's about feeling all the emotions".

Here are a few of the outtakes that made us smile 🙂

If you'd like to learn more about our psychological, adversity and trauma-informed (PAT) approach, be sure to check out the full video on our page

#mentalhealth #hopeandcourage

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Jun 22

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We spoke to Open Mental Health colleagues and clients about why trauma-informed mental health support is so important.

The message was loud and clear – it leads to better outcomes for our clients and colleagues who can turn up as their full selves, informed by their own lived experience.

At Second Step, along with the organisations we work with, we are committed to Psychological, Adversity and Trauma-informed (PAT) ways of working, and are proud to be leading the way as organisations across the county start to shift to a PAT approach.

To find out more about our PAT work at Second Step and the training we offer, visit the link in our bio and click "Become trauma-informed".

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Jun 19

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Feeling stressed? Struggling to switch off? Want some practical tools to help you cope with life's ups and downs?

The new BSW Young People's College is offering free courses for 18–25 year-olds across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.

Topics include:
• Managing Anxiety
• Better Sleep
• Managing Intense Emotions
• Building Resilience

Learn useful techniques, connect with others, and build skills that can help now and in the future.

Find out more and book your place at www.second-step.co.uk/wellbeing-colleges/bsw-young-peoples-college/

#LearnConnectGrow #MentalHealthMatters #WellbeingWorkshops #YoungAdults #BSW

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Jun 16

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Why is community so important in helping people thrive? In our latest video, our clients, staff members and volunteers share their experiences of finding connection and support through Second Step’s mental health services.

Our clients and colleagues build relationships built on trust and shared learning – like Whitney and Emma: “Sometimes we were learning stuff together and that felt really right. It never felt like me just giving to you and you taking. There were lightbulb moments.”

From helping individuals reconnect with the people and places around them, to driving long-lasting system change, community is where the work of our staff, clients, partners and volunteers happens.

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Jun 9

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Intense emotions can be challenging to experience. But with support and techniques, we can understand and manage these feelings.

Book onto our Managing Intense Emotions course in South Gloucester (run by Bristol Wellbeing College).

There are four sessions, starting on Thursday 18 June and continuing on Thursday mornings.

Each two-hour session from 10.30am-12.30pm is designed to equip you with emotional recognition and regulation tools, and distress tolerance skills.

Spaces still available – visit our linktree in bio and click on South Gloucester Wellbeing today.

Open to adults 18+ living in South Gloucester.

#wellbeingcollege #southgloucester #mentalhealth

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Jun 2

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“Volunteering got me to a place of living rather than existing.”

It’s Volunteers’ Week 2026! 🎉

From 1 to 7 June, Volunteers’ Week is a national celebration of all the work volunteers do and how incredibly value volunteering is – for organisations, for volunteers and for the projects and causes they work towards.

There are many ways volunteering is woven into our work at Second Step and our wonderful volunteering team bring so much lived experience, value and insight to our work.

Thanks to the volunteers who contributed to this video, and to volunteers across Second Step for all the amazing work you do!

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May 27

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Our free wellbeing courses and workshops include Better Sleep, Building Resilience and ADHD: Minds of all kinds and are open to people aged 18+ across Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire.

To find out more about our free BSW Recovery College wellbeing workshops and courses, click the link in our bio!

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Apr 22

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Free online anxiety course for people in South Gloucestershire!

We all get anxious sometimes, and without even realising it. But when anxiety spirals it can affect our body, our thoughts and our day-to-day life.

In this four-week online course we explore:

🧠 How anxiety affects our bodies
💭 How it can impact our thoughts, feelings and actions
🛠️ Tools and strategies to manage anxiety and create a sense of calm

This is all about empowering you with simple, effective ways to support your mental wellbeing.

Here are the details:

📅 When: Thursdays 30 April, 7 May, 14 May and 21 May (booking is for the full four weeks)
📍 Where: Zoom online
👤 Who’s it for: All adults (aged 18+) who live or are registered with a GP in South Gloucestershire.

How to book: fill in our online booking form on our website – click the link in our bio and select South Gloucestershire Wellbeing College.

We hope to see you there!

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Apr 21

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Come along to our new Recovery Cafés in Bath, Swindon and Chippenham!

These welcoming, informal spaces are a great way to connect with our tutors and other learners about our wellbeing workshops and courses.

You’ll get the chance to:

☕Explore course tasters
☕Form new connections
☕Join in after-course activities, such as discussions, mindfulness and arts & crafts

Here are the details:

Bath Recovery Café:

📍Second Step office, 28 Southgate Street, Bath
📅Thursdays: 7 May, 21 May, 4 June and 18 June
🕒All sessions run from 1pm to 3pm

Swindon Recovery Café:

📍Second Step office, Pinetrees Community Centre, The Circle, Swindon
📅Tuesdays: 5 May, 19 May, 2 June and 16 June
🕒All sessions run from 1pm to 3pm

Chippenham Recovery Café:

📍Chippenham Community Hub, 1 Gladstone Parade, Timber Street, Chippenham
📅Wednesdays: 6 May, 20 May, 3 June and 17 June
🕒All sessions run from 12.30pm to 2.30pm

Booking is essential!

Find out more about our Recovery Cafés and book your place online: second-step.co.uk/recovery-cafes
Or link in bio

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At BSW Recovery College, we offer free mental health and wellbeing courses and workshops to adults (aged 18+) living in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.

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Apr 20

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Apr 14

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We celebrated Eid al-Fitr a few weeks ago – the atmosphere was joyful and bustling, with delicious food including lentil curry, samosas, rice and a range of sweet treats on offer.

Colleagues talked about the significance of Eid to them, we listened to Nasheed music, and there were henna tattoos and decorations to enjoy.

The event was organised by the Race Equity group and events lead, Sonia Singh, said: “I’m grateful to our small working group of Muslim colleagues who guided the planning with their insight and experience. The celebration came to life and was a great way of engaging with each other as an organisation.”

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Apr 8

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Apr 4

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Trust is at the heart of meaningful mental health support.

In this video, Tommiee opens up about how senior support worker Fisayo helped him change his life.

💬 ”Before Second Step it was like, another house, another home, another group of people… who were going to promise me my happy ending. And I had been failed up until then.

“Then I met you guys. I was a bit hesitant at first, and then we sat down, we spoke, and we had similar interests. I think that’s what made me grow to you. I was just like, I trust you, you know.”

Watch or read Tommiee’s story on our website News Hub – link in bio

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Apr 3

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💬 “I think everyone’s got a story to tell that would make you feel sad. It’s having to deal with that every day.”

Tommiee went through a lot of trauma at a young age. His parents died when he was just a baby, and he grew up moving between different families and situations. Housing instability followed him into adulthood – he never had a place where he felt truly at home.

But Tommiee never lost his optimistic outlook:

💬 “I had to find me and then find out how I fit in society. What kept me going was my energy, my resilience, me wanting to have a happy ending. Knowing that it’s working out for this person over here, it’s working out for those people over there. I’m going to get my time soon.”

In our latest video with senior support worker Fisayo, Tommiee tells his story, and how meeting Second Step helped him finally find the stability he’d been searching for.

Watch or read Tommiee’s story on our website News Hub – link in bio

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Apr 2

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💬 “I came to Second Step because I was going through a hard time in my life and I was having difficulty in my housing. Second Step moved efficiently, they moved quickly, and they actually listened to me.”

After growing up in the care system, Tommiee found it hard to find a place to call home as an adult. With the support of senior support worker Fisayo, Tommiee has finally been able to move into housing where he feels at home.

Watch or read Tommiee’s story on our website News Hub – link in bio

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Mar 30

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Here’s a 5-min writing activity for instant stress relief

Open the notes app on your phone and finish this sentence:

“Right now, I feel…”

Write the first thing that pops into your head. Try not to overthink it – it doesn’t need to be perfect. It’s about holding space to let your emotions out.

Why it helps:

👉 Clears mental clutter
👉 Makes big emotions feel smaller
👉 Helps you understand what you need

If you’d like to explore more tools like this, join our FREE course for adults in Bristol: Writing with Imagination

📅 Wed 8 Apr
⏰ 10.30am – 12.30pm
📍 Wellspring Settlement, Barton Hill

Find out more and sign up on our website - link in bio

@wellspringsettlement

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