This summer has already brought spells of intense heat, with Amber heat-health alerts issued across the South West. Extreme heat doesn’t just take a toll on our bodies; it can affect our mental health too, disrupting sleep, making everyday tasks feel harder, and leaving many of us feeling anxious, irritable or on edge.
At the same time, the summer months also bring their own kind of pressure: the sense that we should be out enjoying the longer days, seeing people, trying something new. That pressure to make the most of summer can feel even further out of reach when the heat itself is a source of stress, particularly if your confidence has dipped or social situations already feel harder than they used to.
That’s why it’s worth giving your mental wellbeing a place in your summer plans. Whether planning days out, activities or you would simply like to spend time enjoying other people’s company, taking care of your mental health is part of making those things possible.
And you don’t have to do that alone.
Support that doesn’t stop for summer
Across the South West, our Wellbeing Colleges are open all year round, including right through the summer. While many services slow down at this time of year, our Colleges keep going, offering free courses and workshops designed to help people improve and maintain their mental health. Every session is developed with people who have lived experience, so the support is practical, grounded and shaped by those who truly understand what it’s like to struggle, and what it takes to move forward.
Courses cover everything from managing anxiety and building confidence to improving sleep and more. They’re designed to meet you where you are, with no pressure to be at a particular stage in your journey. You can learn at your own pace, connect with others and grow in ways that feel right for you.
A space to connect
Just as importantly, the Colleges offer connection. Learning alongside others in a welcoming, supportive space can help reduce isolation and remind us that we’re not alone. Many people tell us that attending a workshop is the first step towards feeling able to try other things again, like joining a group, volunteering, returning to work or simply feeling more comfortable getting out and about.
Recently, staff from all our Colleges came together for a wellbeing day of their own – a chance to pause, share ideas and practise what we encourage others to do. Our new video captures that day beautifully, showing the care, energy and community that sit at the heart of every college.
So as you start thinking about your summer plans, ask yourself: what would help me feel ready for this? If the answer is a bit of support, a new skill or simply a friendly space to talk things through, our Wellbeing Colleges are here, all summer long.