What to expect

What to expect from a meeting

Our meetings are structured but friendly and last for up to 2 hours (depending on the number of attendees). They take place either online, or in local community centres and halls around the City of Bristol. The meetings are run by at least two trained facilitators who ensure the meetings are run smoothly and safely and that they adhere to our meeting ground rules.

The meetings are relaxed and create a comfortable space where people suffering from mental distress can come and talk to others who share similar problems. On average we have around 8 people attending each meeting we run, although this can vary from meeting to meeting.



Everything said within the room stays within the room

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Some people come every week to our meetings, some bi-weekly and some monthly.  Others will come for a few weeks and feel that they have now benefitted from the support and move on.  Some may use the service as a support network when times are tough or they wish to improve their mental health during a dip, others to maintain their current wellbeing. 

Our service is not an alternative to other treatments but rather dovetails with many of the other services provided by statutory bodies.

What happens at a meeting?
If you attend one of our meetings you can expect the following:

To be welcomed by the two facilitators running the meeting.

We will do a name round and you’ll be invited to share your pronouns (whether you use he/she/they etc).

During the meeting, everybody in the group will be invited to speak in turn and share what is happening in their lives.  You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to and we encourage those that are socially anxious to come along to gain confidence.  Generally people speak for about 10 minutes.

Half way through the meeting there will be a break for tea and coffee.

At some point during the meeting, we will usually spend about 15 minutes discussing a mental health topic designed around our Steps to Recovery.

Coming for the first time

When coming for the first time we understand that people are very nervous. This is perfectly normal, and if you do not wish to speak that is fine, you can just sit and observe. We want you to feel as safe and as comfortable as possible so that you can get the most out of our meetings.  The following list applies to all our meetings:

completely confidential – what is said in the room, stays in the room – click here for exceptions to this rule

free to attend; you don’t need to pay anything

you can attend for as many meetings as you need or want to

no referral required & no formal diagnosis

adults only – you need to be over 18 years of age to attend

no advance booking needed – you can just turn up on the day.  All we ask is that you try to come on time and as far as possible stay for the whole meeting

Registered address

Changes Bristol
Barton Hill Settlement
41-43 Ducie Road
Lawrence Hill
Bristol
BS5 0AX

Charity details

Registered Charity Number
1167828

Registered Company Number
08914724

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