- Age UK K&C Branch – Over 55s
- Baraka Community Association – Young Somalians
- Book Break – Literature lovers
- Central London Outdoor Group – Londoners
- Chelsea Theatre – Anyone
- Dalgarno Trust – Anyone
- Hestia – K&C residents diagnosed with severe mental illness
- K&C Mind Community Shed Project – Anyone with mental illness
- Listening Books – Anyone
- London Irish Centre – Irish living in London
- Migrants Organise – Asylum seekers, refugees and migrants
- Minds United Football Club – 18+ with mental illness and/ or substance misuse issues
- Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre – Muslims
- New Horizons – Over 50s
- Open Age – Over 50s
- Pepper Pot Day Centre – Over 50s BME
- Persian Care Centre – Over 50s, Farsi Speakers
- Reading Groups for Everyone – Literature lovers
- Response Community Project – Anyone
- River House Resource Centre – Anyone living with HIV
- School of Meditation – Anyone
- Sing to Live, Live to Sing – Anyone
- SMART – People with mental illness
- St Cuthbert’s Day Centre – Marginalised/ vulnerable
- The Second Half Centre – Over 50s
- Venture Community Association – In and around W10
- Wellbeing Centre – Homelessness, mental illness and substance misuse
- West London Buddhist Centre – Anyone
Age UK K&C Branch
Provide a range of services to help over 55s to stay independent in their own home, including befriending, social activities, escorting, practical help, shopping and decluttering services. They can also offer assistance with benefits, social care needs, and energy efficiency/ fuel poverty. Lots of information can be downloaded from the main Age UK website.
W: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/kensingtonandchelsea/
A: 1 Thorpe Close, London, W10 5XL
Tel: 020 8969 9105
E: information@aukc.org.uk
Baraka Community Association
Offers a wide range of activities, classes, sports, mentoring and advice to enable young Somalians to be active in the local community.
W: http://www.barakacommunityassociation.com
A: Canalside House, 383 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5AA
T: 0208 964 0606/ 07949 727 322
E: barakayouth@tiscali.co.uk
Book Break (Therapy Through Reading Groups)
Provides a service for individuals and groups to support social inclusion by promoting mental and physical well-being, improving self-esteem and confidence and promoting the development of interpersonal skills. Literature is read aloud by a facilitator, with regular pauses to discuss. Tea and biscuits provided. Sessions occur on most days of the week, in several public venues across K&C.
They also maintain a collection of wellbeing books on mental health and self-help, available through any library in the borough.
W: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/contactsdirectory/az.aspx?letter=B&orgid=5682
E: lizison@thereader.org.uk
T: 07807106815
Chelsea Theatre
Community hub and performance space. Offers a seven day a week programme that plays an important role for those living in the World’s End and Cremorne area. Includes education projects, training, healthy cooking and well-being, arts activities. See website for the full timetable.
Concessions available for World’s End Estate residents
W: http://www.chelseatheatre.org.uk
A: 7 World’s End Place, London SW10 0DR
T: 0207 352 1967
E: admin@chelseatheatre.org.uk
Central London Outdoor Group
CLOG is a friendly outdoor activity group for people living in and around London.
They are happy to welcome anyone who enjoys walking, cycling, hillwalking, exploring our countryside and other outdoor activities. The club is run by its members for its members. All members are welcome to organise events. They also have an active monthly social programme including barn dancing and visits to pubs, restaurants, exhibitions, plays and films.
People of any age are welcome to join but the majority of current members are in their late 30s to 50s.
There are typically around four to eight events every week. People are welcome to attend three events to try out the group; after that they are asked to join. The membership fee for one year is £15 for new members.
E: membership_secretary@clog.org.uk
Dalgarno Trust
A community centre serving North Kensington. Several programmes including; social activities, community champions, health works (fitness classes and nutritional advice), youth programme and a foodbank. Also aims to support those who find themselves isolated e.g. elderly.
A: 1 Webb Close, Dalgarno Way, W10 5QB
T: 020 8969 6300
E: reception@dalgarnotrust.org.uk
Hestia
Operates from two community sites in K&C to offer a number of different services to support residents with a diagnosis of severe mental illness. These include:
- A wide range of group activities e.g. exercise classes, choir, women’s and men’s groups, creative activities
- An outreach service for isolated clients and those struggling with e.g. housing, education, employment or financial issues
- Befriending – meet once a week for six months
- Advocacy service
- Carer support group and social activities
- Free counselling, as well as a variety of other therapeutic activities e.g. mindfulness
A: The Oremi Centre, Unit 3, Trellick Tower, 5 Golborne Road, London W10 5PA
The Grove Resource Centre, 1-9 St Marks Road, London W11 1RG
T: 0203 879 3605 and 0207 221 0052
E: jenny.webb@hestia.org
K&C Mind Community Shed Project
“Community Sheds” are a way of creating spaces where people can get together to connect, converse and create, in order to promote mental wellbeing. Shed activities help reduce loneliness, isolation and depression. Like garden sheds, Sheds come in all different shapes and sizes and often they aren’t sheds at all. Shed spaces can be held at any suitable empty space from garages to Scout huts. The important thing is the activity and social connections. Shedding is about meeting like-minded people, sharing skills and knowledge and having the support of your peers.
Mind Sheds are member led and Shed members, or “Shedders” are responsible for deciding what activities they want to do in their particular Shed. Current shed activities include:
- The Men’s Shed ~ registered with UKMSA
- The Women’s Shed
- The Upcycling, Repair and Repurposing Shed
- The Nature Shed
- The Talking Shed: a space for Shedders to socialise, network and plan Shed activities
W: https://www.kcmind.org.uk/services/wellbeing-services/mind-community-shed-project/
T: 020 960 6777
E: enquiries@kcmind.org.uk
Listening Books
An audiobook library service for those who struggle to read, concentrate or hold printed books due to a physical or mental illness, disability or learning difficulties.
Over 7,000 titles are available covering a wide range of both fiction and non-fiction to cater for varying tastes, ranging from classics, crime and biographies to contemporary novels, plays and travel.
Titles are available to borrow on MP3 CD sent though the post, download or stream online.
Funding is often available to support those who may struggle to afford the usual memberships fees (ranging from £20 to £45 per year) – contact the service to enquire.
W: https://www.listening-books.org.uk/home.aspx
T: 020 7407 9417
E: info@listening-books.org.uk
London Irish Centre
Offers an advice service, crisis assistance (including small grants), outreach for older Irish people, advocacy, day services, social groups, befriending, family tracing and assistance in returning to Ireland.
Provides care, culture and community to the Irish in London
W: https://www.londonirishcentre.org
A: 50-52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XB
T: 0207 916 2222
E: info@londonirishcentre.org
Migrants Organise
Offers an enabling community programme for asylum seekers, migrants and refugees living in London. Run weekly activities that encourage socialisation and build skills e.g. English classes, poetry, sewing, walking, youth and health and wellbeing groups. Can also provide individual advice and support for issues such as asylum support, employment, housing and welfare benefits. Weekly immigration advice sessions are provided by a barrister.
Their Transforming Lives project is a mentoring scheme for those who are particularly isolated, in need of extra support or dealing with mental health problems. Mentees are placed with a mentor who speaks the same language and who can help them to access services, learn new skills and build confidence. Meet on a weekly basis for six months.
A: 2 Thorpe Close, London, W10 5XL
T: 020 8964 4815
E: info@migrantsorganise.org
Minds United Football Club
A K&C community football club supporting adults with mental health and/ or substance misuse issues to connect to their community, socialise and improve their wellbeing. All genders and abilities (including newcomers) are warmly welcomed to join in. On every Saturday between 12-2pm in W10. Turn up and play!
W: Minds United FC Facebook page
A: Meet at 32 Southern Row, London W10 5AN
T: Contact Coach TK on 07400100207
E: mindsunitedfc@gmail.com
Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre
Community centre for Muslim people in and around North Kensington, providing a range of spiritual, cultural, social and educational activities. Projects include ESOL classes, Arabic language classes and Qur’an Lessons for men and women, fitness classes for women over 50, boxercise classes for men, karate classes for children and a homework club for children and young people aged 8 – 18. The centre hosts a drop-in health check service for people over 40, and a drop-in legal advice service for Arabic speakers. The centre also has women’s and men’s prayer halls and Imams who lead prayers every day.
A: 244 Acklam Road, London, W10 5YG
T: 0208 964 1496
E: info@mchc.org.uk
New Horizons
A lively centre based in Chelsea for K&C residents aged over 50. There are over 80 regular weekly activities at the centre, as well as at various venues in the community. They charge a nominal fee of between £1.25 and £3.00 per class. They also organise and host special events from complementary therapy workshops, Digital Clinics from Age UK and counselling and Information and Advice sessions. Their cafe has a daily changing menu serving low cost food.
Opening Times: 9:30 – 4.00 Monday to Friday.
W: https://www.openage.org.uk/new-horizons
A: Guinness Trust Estate, Cadogan Street, London SW3 2PF
T: 020 7590 8970
Open Age
Service for over 50s in K&C. Aim is to enable people to sustain their physical and mental fitness, maintain an active lifestyle and develop new interests. Provide over 350 weekly activities at more than 60 sites, as well as group outings.
Offer facilitated telephone groups for those who are housebound. Support also for older carers. One to one work for the particularly isolated is available.
A: St. Charles Centre For Health & Wellbeing, Exmoor St, London W10 6DZ
T: 020 8962 4141 (head office)
Pepper Pot Day Centre
Provide a comprehensive service for active and disabled over 50’s, from the African, Caribbean & BME community, to enable them to live more independently in their own homes. Provides a range of activities, day care, befriending and outreach for isolated individuals and hot African and Caribbean meals.
A: 1A Thorpe Close, Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5XL
T: 020 8968 6940
E: info@pepperpotdaycentre.co.uk
Persian Care Centre
Provides help, support and advice to older Persian people as well as a welcoming meeting place where over 50s Farsi speaking people of K&C can socialise, meet new friends and get involved in activities, cultural events and exciting outings.
W: www.shahinpersiancarecentre.co.uk
A: 70, Tavistock Road, London W11 1AN
T: 0207 221 5763 / 07961 447116
E: info@shahinpersiancarecentre.co.uk
Reading Groups for Everyone
An independent charity with a mission to get more people reading more, in partnership with the Society of Chief Librarians. Its website helps identify all local reading groups for people to join, recommends texts to read and offers discounts and promotions on some books.
Response Community Project
A community centre providing a range of services and activities to people in and around Earls Court. They organise social activities and trips, hold public events and creative activities and provide low cost Health-Well-Being Classes including Chair Yoga and Tai Chi. Beginners Computer classes. A shop providing new and second-hand books, DVDs and videos and an internet cafe at the centre with photocopying and faxing available.
W: www.responseprojects.org.uk
A: 300 Old Brompton Road, London SW5 9JF
T: 020 7370 4606
E: info@responseprojects.org.uk
River House Resource Centre
A community centre based in Hammersmith, open to anyone living with HIV and living in London. Proof of diagnosis and address will be required (see website for details).
They provide a large and diverse range of services aimed at supporting people in all aspects of their physical, medical and emotional well being. These include services such as nursing advice, counselling, benefits and legal advice, complementary therapies and educational courses. They also offer befriending and advocacy services.
Social events include lunch (Mon – Fri), long-term survivors group, needs-led workshops and activities and annual social events and celebrations such as World AIDS Day, River House birthday party and art exhibitions.
W: https://www.riverhouseuk.org
A: River House, Furnival Gardens, off Rutland Grove, London W6 9DJ
T: 020 8753 5190 or 07763 768 345/6
Email: info@riverhouseuk.org
School of Meditation
A non-profit charity with the aim of helping people to learn, enjoy and share the benefits of meditation. Offers a number of different groups and courses, many of which are low cost. Also runs drop-in Open Door sessions three times a week, which can be attended for free/ a small donation.
W: https://www.schoolofmeditation.org
A: 158 Holland Park Avenue, London W11 4UH
T: 020 7603 6116
E: info@schoolofmeditation.org
Sing to Live, Live to Sing
An exciting new singing for health programme in Kensington and Chelsea, initiated by the Council’s Arts Service in partnership with Public Health.
Singing can help to improve breathing, relieve stress, develop core muscles and improve posture, as well as boosting confidence, encouraging a feeling of belonging, and improving overall mood. Workshop participants also report benefits such as meeting new people, confidence building, calming anxiety, feeling uplifted, and enjoying trying something new.
Workshops are normally free, and open to all residents aged 18 years and over. They take place weekly, in twelve week blocks at several sites across K&C. See website for further details, as well as how to register. No previous singing experience is necessary.
W: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/culture/sing-live-live-sing
E: arts@rbkc.gov.uk
SMART
SMART seeks to promote mental health through purposeful activities by offering work, training and social opportunities to people with mental illness who live in KCW. Services include advice and information, advocacy, a training and employment service, a community cafe, a gardening and floristry project, ICT training, a packing project and a variety of social clubs. Volunteering opportunities are available.
A: The Basement, 15 Gertrude Street , London, SW10 0JN
T: 0207 376 4668
E: info@smartlondon.org.uk
St Cuthbert’s Day Centre
An open door drop-in centre for all marginalised, vulnerable people in Earls Court and the surrounding areas. Provides a range of activities as well as three-course meals served Monday to Friday to people living on or below the poverty line. Staffed, including those with mental health training. Free use of computers and Wi-Fi.
W: http://www.stcuthbertscentre.org.uk
A: The Philbeach Hall, 51 Philbeach Garden, London SW5 9EB
T: 020 7835 1389
E: dropin@stcuthbertscentre.org.uk
The Second Half Centre
Hold over 60 hours of activities and classes each week for those age 50 years and over: Exercise from Zumba, Pilates, Yoga and Stretch and Tone; Art from Acrylic painting to Pastels; International Cooking Classes, IT skills from basic Emailing to Excel will be taught in our dedicated IT room. They also offer Crafts, Nutrition, Singing and dancing, Adult Parenting and many other classes.
W: www.thesecondhalfcentre.com
A: St Charles Centre for Health and Wellbeing , Exmoor St, London W10 6DZ
T: 0208 962 5500
E: mail@openage.org.uk
Venture Community Association
The Venture Centre is a community resource and development centre situated in W10, serving the North Kensington area.
It runs a full programme of activities, courses and public events, which reflect the needs of the surrounding community and include: Dance, Zumba, Pilates and Yoga for wide range of ages (including 50+); a sewing club, computer support, acupuncture, advocacy sessions, adventure playground and children’s activities, social events and church groups.
W: http://www.venturecentre.org.uk
T: 020 8960 3234
A: 103a Wornington Road, London W10 5YB
E: info@venturecentre.org.uk
Wellbeing Centre (St Mungo’s)
Works with people who are already engaged with social (e.g. supported accommodation) and mental health/ substance misuse services, and provides a range of activities, including the Breakfast Club, art therapy, complementary therapies, podiatry, computer training, cookery courses, support groups for alcohol users, art groups, support groups and homelessness outreach, life coaching, volunteer mentoring.
W: https://www.mungos.org/our-services/recovery-college/
A: 94 Redcliffe Gardens, London, SW10 9HH
T: 020 7835 2979
E: recovery.college@mungos.org
West London Buddhist Centre
Provide Buddhism and medication resources for the whole of the West London area. You do not have to be a Buddhist or become a Buddhist or anything else in order to attend our classes. Offers a tranquil space and yoga studios which offer a range of classes, courses and workshops in mindfulness, buddhism, meditation, yoga and qigong. They hold regular concerts, some poetry readings, literary events and give great talks.
Drop-in classes are by donation and their courses operate on a sliding scale. If anyone can’t afford any of their charges, then please do talk to one of the Centre team who may be able to work something out.
If you are attending a meditation class to help with a mental health condition, please talk to the tutor before the session to discuss your needs.
W: https://westlondonbuddhistcentre.com
A: Royal Oak House, 45a Porchester Rd, London W2 5DP
T: 020 7727 9382
E: info@westlondonbuddhistcentre.com
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