Take Care of Your Mind – Locally
Mental health matters. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, low, or just need a little time to reconnect with yourself, Essex offers a range of activities to help support your mental well-being. From gentle walks to creative workshops, there’s something for everyone.
Here are just a few of the things Essex has to offer:
Nature & Outdoors
Epping Forest Mindfulness Walks
Enjoy peaceful, guided walks through Epping Forest with a mindfulness coach. Learn to ground yourself in nature and breathe away the stress.
🗓 Weekly | 📍Epping Forest | 💷 Free
Well-being Walks – Essex Country Parks
Organized walks in beautiful locations like Thorndon Park and Danbury Common, designed to improve mood and reduce anxiety.
🗓 Various dates | 📍Across Essex | 💷 Free or small fee
Walk and Talk 4 Men – Across Essex
A safe, welcoming space for men to walk, chat, and get support. No pressure, just fresh air and connection.
🗓 Weekly | 📍Various Essex towns | 💷 Free
👉 walkandtalk4men.com
Movement & Relaxation
Community Yoga Classes
Accessible, low-cost yoga sessions focused on relaxation and mental clarity. Many locations including Chelmsford, and Southend.
🗓 Weekly | 📍Various venues | 💷 £5–£8
Tai Chi in the Park – Harlow
Gentle movement sessions perfect for all ages and abilities. Helps reduce stress and increase balance—physically and mentally.
🗓 Saturdays | 📍Harlow Town Park | 💷 Free
Essex Mindfulness Project (Chelmsford, Online)
Weekly guided sessions, both in-person and via Zoom. Ideal for beginners and seasoned meditators.
www.essexmindfulnessproject.org
Forest Bathing – Epping Forest
Experience nature like never before. Join a slow, mindful walk through the woods to reduce stress and boost your mood.
🗓 Monthly | 📍Epping Forest | 💷 From £15
👉 forestbathingessex.com
Outdoor Yoga – Hylands Park, Chelmsford
Flow through gentle yoga sessions in a peaceful park setting. Great for mental clarity and relaxation.
🗓 Sundays, June–Sept | 📍Hylands Park | 💷 Donation-based
👉 yogawithnatalie.co.uk
Creative & Therapeutic Activities
Community Craft & Coffee – Basildon (Brighter Opportunities)
Enjoy a cuppa and some creative downtime. Friendly, drop-in sessions for anyone looking to connect and unwind.
🗓 Weekly | 📍Basildon | 💷 Free
👉 brighteropportunities.co.uk
Art for Well-being – The Art Place, Chelmsford
Drop-in art therapy sessions and workshops. No experience needed—just a space to express yourself.
🗓 Thursdays | 📍The Meadows, Chelmsford | 💷 Donation-based
Creative Writing for Calm – Southend Library
Free weekly sessions to explore your inner world through writing. Helps reduce rumination and boost self-esteem.
🗓 Mondays | 📍Southend Central Library | 💷 Free
Sound Healing & Gong Baths – Southend & Braintree
Relax into deep rest with healing sounds. These soothing sessions help calm anxiety and support better sleep.
🗓 Weekly | 📍Various Essex locations | 💷 From £10
👉 healingsoundessex.com
Peer Support Groups
Thurrock and Brentwood Mind
Offers a range of mental health support services, including peer support groups, therapeutic gardening, and recovery-focused activities for adults, young people, and families. TBMind
Braintree Rethink Self-help Art & Social Group
A creative group for individuals with lived experience of mental illness. Engage in activities like writing, painting, and drawing while connecting with others in a supportive environment. Expert Advice Hub
Mothers First – Chelmsford
A supportive group for new mums experiencing challenges such as prenatal or postnatal depression. Provides a friendly environment to share experiences and receive encouragement. Psychology Today
Andy’s Man Club – Southend & Basildon
Weekly peer-to-peer support groups for men, providing a space to talk and support each other. Meetings are held every Monday from 7–9 PM. Wikipedia
Anxiety Society – Southend
A local peer support group for individuals dealing with anxiety and low mood, offering a space to share experiences and coping strategies. Livewell Southend
Trust Links – Southend, Rochford & Basildon
Provides mental health support projects, including peer support groups, therapeutic gardening, and recovery-focused activities for adults, young people, and families. trustlinks.org
Essex Community Tree Network
An online directory offering a comprehensive list of mental health and well-being services across Essex, including peer support groups, counselling, and community support. Essex Community Tree
Livewell Southend Directory
A resource listing various mental health and support groups in Southend, covering areas like anxiety, bereavement, and family support. Livewell Southend
