Welcome to Second Step

We’re a leading mental health charity that’s been putting mental health first for people in Bristol and the South West for over 30 years. We believe that with the right support, everyone can take control of their life and make their future their own. Our services can be found in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Our mission is to promote mental health and wellbeing by supporting people and communities to build brighter futures. Working hand-in-hand with the NHS and local authorities, we offer practical help and emotional support tailored to each individual and their recovery.

The people who use our services are at the heart of our organisation, and our involvement groups help inform and improve the services we deliver.

Read our 2024 Impact Report

Celebrating Diversity

How we help

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Homeless Services

Our homeless services help people, including those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, to find suitable accommodation they can call home.

Second Step icon representing recovery

Recovery & Mental Health

We work with the NHS to run mental health services which focus on the individual - working with them to find the hope and courage to take the next steps in their recovery.

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Community & Wellbeing

We run a number of services in the community which help people find the hope and courage they need to make the most of their health and wellbeing.

Our services can be found in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, Somerset, North Somerset
and South Gloucestershire.

Latest news and stories

English countryside

Changes to community mental health and wellbeing support in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire

25 March 2025

From 1 April 2025, there will be some changes to the providers of community mental health services across Bath and…

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(From left): Tania co-hosting the BNSSG Trauma Informed Leadership Event, Tania and her mum Angela, Tania

“When something bad happens, it can make you feel a little braver than you were before”: How visiting a wellness café taught me the value of my lived experiences.

3 March 2025

After her mum passed away in 2022, Tania’s faith in health services was shaken and she was left struggling with…

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Photos of the Somerset countryside

‘Connection is so important but is so overlooked’

3 March 2025

Amy Hardwick, Health Improvement Manager for Mental Health and Wellbeing at Somerset Council has worked in partnership with Stepladder to…

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Blue sky and fluffy clouds

New free online mindfulness exercises for people in North Somerset

25 February 2025

Introducing our new range of mindfulness exercises from North Somerset Wellbeing, free for adults (18+ years) who live in North…

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Farewell Stepladder

25 February 2025

Our men’s mental health project in Somerset may be ending but the abundance of community groups still in the local…

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Breaking barriers: Five revolutionary activists who shaped British history

18 February 2025

For LGBTQIA+ history Month, Phoebe Horrocks, Peer Recovery Navigator and LGBTQIA+ Lead at Second Step, reflects on the importance of…

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A fresh innings – finding friendship through sport and memories.

18 February 2025

At Bridgwater Cricket Club, Sporting Memories uses sport to get older men out of their houses and socialising with their peers with…

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Ezra and Drew

“I’m happy to be alive and be here today, because of you guys” – our impact in 2024

10 February 2025

We’re delighted to announce the release of our 2024 Impact Report, packed full of inspirational client stories, stats and just…

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Cows in a field

Sowing the seeds of friendship – how farm visits help men’s mental health

6 February 2025

A cup of tea, a chat, a bit of fresh air. But would you know where to find it? This…

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Street art in Bristol

Extension of the Changing Futures Programme in Bristol

24 December 2024

We are delighted to have secured funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to extend our…

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Second Step

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We've been putting #MentalHealth first for people in the South West for the last 30 years. #HopeAndCourage

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Mar 17

🙌 Somerset! You’ve got this!

🪜 After four wonderful years Stepladder, Second Step and Open Mental Health’s men’s mental health project is coming to an end.

💫 We’re proud of the work the project did to support men’s wellbeing.

🤝 We focused on fostering local connections as a way of improving mental health and supported more than 50 groups, bringing together over 1500 men to improve their mental wellbeing through connection and community.

Here are just some of our highlights ⬆️

#Men’sMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Stepladder #Movember.

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Mar 11

“When something bad happens, it can make you feel a little braver than you were before”

In 2022, after Tania’s mum sadly passed away, her faith in mental health services were shaken and she was left struggling with her own mental health.

She decided to drop into the Wellbeing Café run by Bristol Wellbeing College and discovered a support network which pointed her in a new direction.

Now, inspired by her mum’s work, Tania uses her lived experience to inform mental health care and system change for people experiencing multiple disadvantage as a coordinator with the IF group, part of Changing Futures.

You can read Tania’s story in our News Hub on our website – link in bio.

@cfbristol

#hopeandcourage #livedexperience

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Feb 25

Introducing our new range of mindfulness exercises from North Somerset Wellbeing, free for adults (18+ years) who live in North Somerset. These recorded sessions can be booked online and accessed anytime, as often as you like, giving you the flexibility to practise mindfulness with us in a way that suits your schedule and lifestyle.

Our mindfulness exercises are designed for everyone, whether you’re new to mindfulness or looking to deepen your practice. The recorded sessions offer a variety of techniques, including:

💚 Guided breathing exercises
💚 Body scans for calming the body
💚 Visualisation – creating mental images
💚 Mindful relaxation
💚 Mindful positivity
💚 Grounding techniques
💚 Techniques for managing stress and emotions
💚 And more!

Try out our mindfulness taster practice and book on our website: second-step.co.uk/northsomersetwellbeing

#NorthSomerset #NorthSomersetWellbeing #Mindfulness #MindfulnessExercise #MindfulnessPractice

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Feb 20

What an amazing celebration of 10 years of the IF group!

This special event, held on 6 February, was a chance to recognise the wide-reaching impact the group has had on coproduction and lived experience involvement in Bristol.

Speakers shared their lived experience, reflected on Independent Futures’ journey and organisations including Bristol City Council, St. Mungos and Avon & Somerset Police offered their visions of the future of coproduction in Bristol.

The evening proved to be an inspiring and exciting opportunity to connect and network for those who are passionate about coproduction and lived experience involvement.

Thanks to all speakers and attendees for making it such a memorable and insightful event.

@stmungos @cfbristol @aspolice @bristolcouncil

#succeedingtogether #livedexperience #coproduction

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Feb 19

Meet Drew, one of our Hope Project clients whose bond with his Hope Project worker Ezra became a turning point that helped him transform his life.

From facing homelessness and having suicidal thoughts to living independently and running his own businesses, Drew has been on a huge journey and worked extraordinarily hard to achieve his goals.

He tells his story in our 2024 Impact Report, the Power of Prevention.

Read Drew’s story and other inspiring stories from our clients and find out about our mental health services' work in 2024 on our website – link in bio.

#HopeAndCourage

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Feb 18

Can sport help men to connect? 🏏

At Bridgwater Cricket Club, the answer is yes.

Their Sporting Memories group, ran by the @somersetcricketfoundation and supported by Stepladder, uses sport to get older men out of their houses and socialising with their peers with positive effects on their mental and physical health.

Here, meet Terry who describes the club as one of the highlights of his week. It’s a chance to reminisce about past sporting events, take an interest in current ones and have a bit of banter with his friends.

Sound good?

There are many groups in Somerset for men where you can find connection and improve your mental health.

Visit the link in our bio to find an interactive map showing lots of groups in the local area.

#mensmentalhealth #stepladder #dementiaawareness

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Feb 17

Announcing the release of our 2024 Impact Report, packed full of inspirational client stories, stats and just some of the incredible achievements of our services last year.

Our theme is the Power of Prevention. Our Chief Executive Aileen Edwards says:

“2024 was a difficult year for so many. Our clients continued to face issues such as the cost-of-living crisis, the rise of hate crime, and the deepening housing crisis.

“With mental health services and the wider social care and housing systems under more pressure than ever before, we played a pivotal role within the system to strengthen and develop our services to ensure we’re reaching people when and where they need us.”

We start by introducing Drew, one of our Hope Project clients whose relationship with his Hope Project worker Ezra became a turning point that helped him transform his life.

From there, we visit some of our services across Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Somerset, where we work closely with our public sector and voluntary sector partners to share the positive impact our work has made.

This is the power of prevention and early intervention.

Read the full report on our website 👉 link in bio

#HopeAndCourage @aileenedwards @andywarren52 @bnssg_icb @awp_nhs @somerset_ft @bristolcouncil @somersetcouncil @openmentalhlth @cfbristol

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Feb 7

Want to get back to being you?

🌳 Being outdoors can help, says the Countrymen club which is based on the border of Somerset and Dorset and gives men the opportunity to experience life on a working farm.

🐄 Here, Steve who works at the club, talks about how finding purpose and connection has transformed the lives of some of the men who go there.

🤝 The Countrymen is just one of hundreds of groups that bring men together on a regular basis.

📍Visit the link in our bio to find one in your local area.

#mensmentalhealth #stepladder #timetotalkday

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Feb 6

A cup of tea, a chat, a bit of fresh air. But would you know where to find it?

🌳 Today we meet the Countrymen, just one of hundreds of small community groups that bring men together to connect on a regular basis.

🐖 We talked to Sharpy, a man from Somerset, who has been going to the club for a year and loves having a laugh with the other men who go there and being in a farm environment where he can feed the animals.

☀️ Sharpy “feels better” for finding the club and so could you.

📍 Visit the link in our bio to find an interactive map showing lots of groups in the local area where you can find connection and improve your mental health.

#Men’sMentalHealth #Stepladder

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Jan 28

Join us at this very special event to celebrate 10 years of lived experience group, Independent Futures, and their incredible impact on coproduction and lived experience involvement in Bristol.

Together, we’ll recognise the power of coproduction to ensure that the people who use services in Bristol have a say in shaping them; we’ll reflect on Independent Futures’ journey and share key learnings.

This is a fantastic opportunity to connect, network, and be inspired by guest speakers who will also share their vision for the future of coproduction for people facing multiple disadvantages in Bristol.

And yes, there will be plenty of refreshments!

When: Thursday 6 February 2025, from 4pm to 6pm
Where: The Foundation Space, Triodos Bank, Lower Ground Floor, St George’s Road, BS1 5BE

This event is open to anyone who is passionate about coproduction and lived experience involvement. Whether you work directly with people facing multiple disadvantages, hold a senior leadership role, or are involved in designing or commissioning services, we’d love you to join us.

Come and celebrate with us - we look forward to seeing you!

Book your ticket here - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/changingfutures/1530361

Independent Futures is part of the Changing Futures Bristol programme @cfbristol

#succeedingtogether #livedexperience

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Jan 15

Coming soon! Free online mindfulness exercises from North Somerset Wellbeing, available from February 2025. Practise mindfulness with us anytime, anywhere.

Whether you’re new to mindfulness or practise mindfulness regularly, we have sessions to suit all kinds of needs, from improving sleep to relieving stress and anxiety – practise mindfulness to kickstart your morning, to ease stress during the day, or to clear your mind before bed.

Try it out! Listen to our mindfulness taster session and find out more about how to book on our website –
second-step.co.uk/northsomersetwellbeing

#Mindfulness #MindfulnessPractice #NorthSomerset

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Jan 13

Want to connect with others?

Stepladder is here to support you. With our interactive map you can find all sorts of men’s groups in Somerset where you can meet new people who get it.

Could 2025 be the year that you Turn up, Connect and Find Space to Talk? Regularly connecting with others has been proven to help overall wellbeing.

Go to the link in our bio to find the map and a list of local activities in your area. Because this stuff matters. You matter.

#mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #somersetlife

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Dec 24

The festive season can be tough and you might feel like you want to reach out to talk to someone.

📞 Starting the conversation is an important first step and Mindline Somerset is there to listen every day over the Christmas period.

Call 01823 276892 or Freephone 0800 1381692.

#mensmentalhealth #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthcharity

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Dec 23

🎧 There are so many options when it comes to podcasts that you are spoilt for choice.

Some are a chance to laugh along with your favourite comedian or listen to an inspirational interview with people who have interesting stories to tell.

You can learn something new or get tips to improve your wellbeing and best of all, it allows you time to take a break from the festivities.

Above are some of the Stepladder team’s favourite podcasts ☝️

#mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #wellbeingtips

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Dec 22

If you feel like you need to talk to someone urgently then Crisis Safe Space is there to help.

Call 01823 276892 or freephone 0800 1381692.

👂You will be listened to without judgement and it can be the first step to opening up about how you really feel.

#mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness

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Dec 21

📚 Developing a daily reading habit can help your mental health and aid your sleep.

Whether you prefer wellness books or fiction, history or biography, now is the time to go to your local bookshop or library, as a whole heap of books are published around Christmas time.

See our suggestions above ⬆️ from the Stepladder team for some inspirational reads.

#readingforwellbeing #readingformentalhealth #christmaswellbeing #mensmentalhealth

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Dec 20

Did you know Stepladder has an interactive map, which is the perfect place to find local groups and activities for men?

There’s a huge range of things to do, whatever your interests. All you have to do is follow the link in our bio and find something for you.

#mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #wellbeingtips #christmaswellbeingtips

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Dec 19

This year, the first support bench in Somerset was installed in Vivary Park, Taunton.

It’s a place to sit, think and access mental health resources by scanning a QR code.

There are plans for more support benches around the county, so look out for one near you.

#christmaswellbeingtips #wellbeingtips #mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthcharity

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Dec 18

Could building relationships help reduce evictions in Bristol?

Changing Futures Bristol is supporting the restorative approaches pilot which aims to help people living in temporary accommodation avoid eviction due to conflicts or challenging behaviour.

This involves supporting staff and residents in supported housing to resolve conflicts and rebuild relationships through conversation, moving away from traditional punitive approaches to challenging behaviour.

For six months, CF worked with Missing Link, a Bristol-based mental health and housing service for women. Missing Link staff members attended a two-day training course and monthly coaching sessions with restorative approaches expert Jo Everitt. Jo helped staff put restorative approaches into action, e.g. by holding regular house meetings and scheduling activities to encourage a community feel.

Staff now say they feel “more empowered to have challenging conversations with residents”.

Charlotte, Missing Link’s manager, says: “We’re definitely going to keep going after the pilot has finished. We will keep doing training to keep skills and confidence high.”

Changing Futures Bristol will be supporting the restorative approaches pilot until March 2025.

Find out more on our website News Hub – link in bio.

#RestorativeApproaches #SystemChange #ChangingFutures @nextlinksupport @bristolcouncil

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Dec 18

Is it hard to get outdoors at this time of year?

❄️ When the weather is cold and miserable it can be hard to find the motivation to put your coat on and go for a walk but research shows that most adults feel better when they do.

🚶‍♂️ Could you try it for 10 minutes?

Even 5?

#mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #christmaswellbeing #wellbeingtips

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