Our Woodland Wellbeing groups provide opportunities for people with dementia and their carers to spend quality time together in the relaxing environment of a local woodland. We meet in small groups and go with the flow of what interests you, from cooking on the fire to trying art or crafts or simply listening to the birds and enjoying an outdoor cuppa. 

Alive Activities run supported gardening, green craft and socialising sessions at their fully accessible allotment in Brentry, North Bristol, every Monday and Tuesday afternoon from 1.30 – 3.30. The sessions are for people living with dementia, their care-partners and relatives.

Sessions are run by a therapeutic horticulture specialist and are supported by trained volunteers. Activities are tailored to participants’ abilities and preferences.

All tools and materials are provided, and sessions are free.

Charlton Road Allotments, Charlton Road, Brentry. BS10 6 JZ

Phone: 07423719088

Email: communitygardening@aliveactivities.org

More info: aliveactivities.org/dementia-friendly-allotment

Activity Groups

Join us for a range of arts and crafts, reminiscence or board games in a friendly environment. Meet other people affected by dementia at one of our welcoming groups. Please note our Withywood Activity Group is arts and craft themed each month and led by the wonderful Bristol charity, Lighting Up: https://lightingup.org.uk/
 

Fishponds Activity Group
Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3TP
4^th Friday of every month, 2pm to 4pm
Cost: optional coin donation
Contact:  0117 961 0693
Email: claire.muscat@alzheimers.org.uk   
 

Withywood Lighting Up Art Group
Withywood Centre, Queens Road, Withywood, Bristol, BS13 8QA
3^rd Tuesday of every month, 10.30am to 12.30pm
Cost: Suggested donation £1 per person, per session
Contact:  0117 961 0693
Email: claire.muscat@alzheimers.org.uk  

Brislington Movements and Memories
St Luke’s Church Hall, Church Parade, Brislington, Bristol BS4 5LS
4^th Wednesday of every month, 2pm – 4pm
Cost: optional coin donation
Contact:  0117 961 0693
Email: claire.muscat@alzheimers.org.uk  
 

Singing for the Brain®

Singing for the Brain® (SftB) is a service provided by Alzheimer's Society which uses singing to bring people together in a friendly and stimulating social environment.

Singing is not only an enjoyable activity, it can also provide a way for people with dementia, along with their carers, to express themselves and socialise with others in a fun and supportive group.
 

Withywood SftB
Withywood Centre, Queens Road, Withywood, Bristol, BS13 8QA
Every Tuesday (weekly), 2pm to 3.45pm
Suggested contribution: £1 (optional) 
Please make contact to register for a place
 

Fishponds SftB
Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3TR
First, Third and Fifth Friday of each month, 2pm to 3.45pm
Suggested contribution: £1 (optional)
Please make contact to register for a place

Knowle West SftB
Bristol Community Links South, Langhill Ave, Bristol, BS4 1TN
Tuesday mornings, 10.30 to 12.15pm
Please make contact to register for a place. 
 

Westbury-on-Trym SftB
Saint Monica Trust, Main Hall, Cote Lane, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3UN
Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 10.30am – 12.15pm
Suggested contribution: £1 (optional)
Please make contact to register for a place
 

Virtual SftB (Zoom)
Join from the comfort of your own home with one click joining the session via email  
Wednesday afternoons at 3pm
Please make contact to register for this free group

To register for a place, please call the Bristol office on 0117 961 0693 or contact Hannah Newrick: hannah.newrick@alzheimers.org.uk

Singing for the Brain Website

Shared Reading is a chance to meet new people and read and listen to great stories and poems. Then we talk about in any way we want to. There’s no pressure to read aloud and it’s fine to just listen. This means that Shared Reading is accessible to a wide range of people including people living with dementia and their 

carers. A Reader Leader chooses what we’ll read and helps us get the most out of it.

Free. Drop-in. Sessions last about 1 ½ hours.

There are also sessions online. See website for details.

www.thereader.org.uk

St Paul’s Library, Grosvenor Road, BS2 8XJ, Mondays 2.00pm
 

Easton Community Centre, Kilburn St, BS5 6AW, Tuesdays 10.00am
 

Redland Library, Whiteladies Road, BS8 2PY, Tuesdays 2.00pm

Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, BS10 5PY, Tuesdays 2.00pm
 

St Anne’s House, St Anne’s Road, BS4 4AB, Wednesdays 10.30am
 

Henleaze Library, Northumbria Drive, BS9 4HP, Wednesdays 2.00pm
 

Monica Wills House, BS3 3NH, enter (vehicles) via Cromwell Street or (pedestrians) via entrance marked Airport up from Tesco Express on West Street. Fortnightly sessions open to all. Phone to check dates: 0117 305 2350. Wednesdays 2.00pm, fortnightly.
 

Bishopston Library, Gloucester Road, BS7 8BN, Thursdays 11.30am
 

Redcatch Community Garden, Redcatch Park, BS4 2RD, Fridays 12.00pm

Supported by a network of volunteers, Contact the Elderly organises monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for small groups of older people aged 75 and over, who live alone, offering a regular and vital friendship link every month. To find out more about becoming a volunteer host or a guest in the Bristol area, please go to - http://www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/about-us/locations/south-west or contact Helen Ker - 01225 873812, helen.ker@contact-the-elderly.org.uk

Swimming sessions with experienced tutors who can offer swimming tuition, exercises or whatever support is needed.

Their accessible swimming sessions are in a safe, supportive environment with:

•staff specially trained by St Monica Trust

•improved signage

•larger, unisex changing booths

•constant temperatures of 27 to 30 degrees

Website

Flier

This service provides a range of high quality adventures ranging from short walks to international holidays and bespoke group breaks. These activities not only give a feeling of self-worth but also give a sense of belonging, encourage team work and provide an opportunity to make new friends.

Contact: 01245 237 548

Email: info@dementiaadventure.co.uk

Contact address: Dementia Adventure, Unit 11 ,Old Park Farm, Main Road, Ford End, Essex. CM3 1LN

Dementia Adventure Website

Innovation that allows family and friends to easily collect great stories and photographs together in an online memory or life story book. Involve others and contribute at any time wherever you are. It's free to create a book online and there is a small charge to get the book printed.

Contact: 01225 891 778

Email: support@forgetmenotbook.com

Forget Me Not Website

The Golden Memories sessions allow male and females aged 55 and over to not only reconnect with their sporting heritage through reminiscence, shared memories and object handling, but also to develop new community opportunities and social friendships.

Working to support older people across Bristol living with dementia, depression or other mental health issues, or who may be experiencing loneliness or isolation, these sporting memories sessions seek also to encourage participants into healthy social and physical activity as part of the programme.

Delivered at Bristol Indoor Bowls Centre in Ashton Vale (BS3 2TY) alongside the Centre’s qualified coaches - 90 minute reminiscence sessions will be followed by 60 minutes of free coached bowls on the international standard indoor green.

Sessions will focus on national and local sporting icons and famous events, as well as local sports venues, teams and achievements. Images, sound, video and physical objects will be used to stimulate personal memories and stories in a multi-sensory way - from the roar of the crowd in the local stadium or the Grandstand theme tune, to the taste and smell of a half-time pie.

Cost: Free of charge

If you or somebody you know may be interested in joining this group please register your interest by contacting ktavender@bristolrugby.co.uk

For further information

Goldies (also known as Golden Oldies) are fun and friendly, monthly singing groups that run in various locations across Bristol. Please see the website for details on locations and times:

Goldies Singing Group Website

As part of our partnership with Growing Support, they have now produced an interactive map of Bristol.

Each green space or community garden is numbered on the map. Clicking on each number will give you an overview of the green space including:

-Opening Times

-Volunteering Opportunities

-Indoor areas

-Toilets

-Support

-Parking

-Transport & Accessibility

Please also visit Growing Support's website for further information.

LinkAge Network is a Bristol-based charity which has been established since 2007, working to strengthen communities, improve health and wellbeing, and reduce social isolation and loneliness among older people. We deliver projects and inform over 55s about what’s on across the West of England.

Contact: 0117 353 3042

Website

What’s on Guide

Your local leisure centre offers groups and activity programmes which accommodate all levels of ability.

Contact: 0117 922 2696 to locate your nearest leisure centre

Leisure Centre Website

Your local library also has information about services and support in your area.

Contact: 0117 903 7200 to locate your nearest library

Bristol Libraries Website

A group of artists working alongside people with dementia and their families/carers. Currently working at Alzheimer’s Society Activity Groups at the Withywood Centre.

Contact Alzheimer's Society: 0117 9610693

Email: info@lightingup.org.uk

Lighting Up Website

• Through local volunteer-led groups they organise two community events, trips or treats a year, one at Christmas and one in the summer
• They provide support to their guests throughout the year through Marmalade Buddie

Memory Cafes
Anyone with concerns about their memory or that of another can attend to meet others in a safe and welcoming environment. Sessions are usually attended by a guest speaker to share information relating to a local service or special interest. Join us for tea, biscuits, and free information relating to dementia.

Fishponds Memory Cafe
Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3TR
2^nd Friday of every month, 2pm - 4pm
Cost: optional coin donation
Contact:  0117 961 0693
Email: claire.muscat@alzheimers.org.uk   

Withywood Memory Cafe
Withywood Centre, Queens Road, Withywood, Bristol, BS13 8QA
2^nd Tuesday of every month, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Cost: optional coin donation
Contact:  0117 961 0693
Email: claire.muscat@alzheimers.org.uk

Website

Linking people with dementia, their families, carers and volunteers with professional musicians. Each session is free and consists of a one hour performance by a professional musician; during which, people are encouraged to use a range of percussion and props.

When: Third Monday of each month

Where: St Peter's Church Hall, Allison Road, Brislington, BS4 4NZ

When: Third Wednesday of each month

Where: The Salvation Army Community Hall, Hassell Drive, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, BS2 0AW

Contact: 01823 323 752

Email: fiona@reminiscencelearning.co.uk

Cost: No charge, donations gladly received.

A charity which provides music therapy for people of all ages in  Bristol and the South West.  Using music therapy to help people communicate and express themselves.

Contact: 0117 953 1731

Contact address: The Southville Centre, Beauley Road, Bristol, BS3 1QG.

Music Space Website

The scheme offers the practical help that can make all the difference to older people - whether it's collecting a pension or a repeat prescription, walking the dog or changing a light bulb.

Royal Voluntary Service Good Neighbours provide valuable company and friendship as well as making sure the older person is safe and well. 

Good Neighbours will spend perhaps an hour a week either in person or over the phone in the company of an older person.

Please contact 0845 600 5885 to find out more.

Second Step run wellbeing courses, activities and workshops which are open to service users under Bristol Mental Health and their carers, which includes our service. For up to date information including course dates please visit their website.

This is an informal social group for the over 60s. The group starts with coffee and then a guest speaker comes to talk or demonstrate something.

Where: The group meets at 10.15 in the café area of the Central Library.

When: Last Tuesday of the month,

Cost: £1.50 per person for each session, and this includes refreshments.

For more details, including to find out who the next guest speaker is, call 0117 903 7250 or email lending.library@bristol.gov.uk

These weekly groups are a friendly place where people with dementia can talk about their favourite sporting memories.

Working closely with Bristol City Community Trust Bristol, sesssions take place at:

• Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
• Bristol Community Links South
• Bristol Community Links Central
• Southville Centre

Details about the different groups taking place in Bristol and South Gloucestershire can be found in the linked document (click the 'Sporting Memories' header above)

Email: admin@sportingmemoriesnetwork.com.
Website

Staying Steady is a programme of strength and balance classes to help build strength, walk steadily and lower your risk of falling.

A Staying Steady class could help you if you’re feeling unsteady when moving around, are worried about falling or are less mobile than you’d like to be.

The classes can help you:

•stay independent and carry on doing the things you enjoy

•improve your confidence and reduce the fear of falling

•to be mobile and healthy

•keep active and have fun

Locations:

The Greenway Centre

Contact: 0117 950 3335 (main reception); 0117 909 0027 (fitness office)

From April 2018

Brunel Fitness Centre

Contact: 0117 377 0098

Easton Leisure Centre

Contact: 0117 955 8840 or 07825 033 741

Hengrove Leisure Park

Contact: 0117 937 0200

The Park Centre

Contact: 0117 903 9770

Cost: £3:50 a session

For further information please visit the Bristol City Council website

Funded by Tesco Bags of Help & Groundwork, Time to Grow is all about supporting the mental and physical health of people in Knowle West and neighbouring parts of south Bristol. Based at their beautiful, award-winning community allotment, Time to Grow offers 6 week gardening and growing courses for people experiencing mental health problems. Participation in the courses is free and people will learn a range of new practical skills

For further information contact allotment co-ordinator, Jessica Fish - allotment@knowlewesthealthassoc.org.uk

Bristol City Community Trust works in partnership with LinkAge to deliver a slow-paced version of football, called Walking Football, which is aimed at the over 50's.

Where: South Bristol Sports Centre

When: Tuesdays, 10:30am to 11:30am

Cost: £4 per person

Contact: 0117 9630636

Email: mark.reynolds@bcfc.co.uk

Bristol Rovers Community Trust runs a walking football project after achieving funding from Sport England and Bristol City Council as part of the LOVIN' Sport project. Both of the walking football sessions are for adults aged over 50.

Fishponds Walking Football

Where: Bristol Metropolitan Academy (indoor sports hall)

When: Tuesday evenings, 8pm-9pm

Cost: £3 per session

Brislington Walking Football

Where: Goals Soccer Centre (outdoor 3G rubber crumb pitch)

When: Thursdays 11am - 12 noon

Cost: £3 per session

Contact: Peter Aitken on 0117 9522581

Email: peteraitken@bristolroverscommunity.org.uk