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 2023 Impact Report

Celebrating Diversity

How we help

Second Step icon of a House

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

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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Tips for looking after yourself this Christmas

17 December 2024

Christmas is almost upon us and while it can be a joyful time, it is also okay to find the…

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Trauma-informed insights: Second Step at the international trauma-informed care in practice conference 2024

17 December 2024

Second Step’s dedication to advancing trauma-informed practices was highlighted at the 5th International Trauma Informed Care in Practice online conference…

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Sandra Meadows

VCSE Mental Health Alliance gets new Independent Chair

10 December 2024

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Sandra Meadows MBE to the role of Independent Chair of the VCSE…

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Knitting saved my lif

Knitting saved my life

9 December 2024

For many, crafting is a beloved hobby that brings joy and creative fulfilment, but for some, it can be a…

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Bristol buildings

Restorative Approaches: Could building relationships reduce Bristol’s housing crisis?

4 December 2024

A deepening housing crisis and lack of access to social housing means many people in Bristol are on the brink…

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Animal encounters

3 December 2024

Owl Enlightenment, near Glastonbury, doesn’t just offer the chance to spend time with some majestic birds but also an opportunity to…

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How a group of people facing multiple disadvantage in Bristol are changing the services they use

19 November 2024

Independent Futures (IF) brings together people with lived experience of multiple disadvantage to shape and improve Bristol’s public services. As…

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Bringing hope and courage to life – The role of lived experience in mental health recovery work

12 November 2024

Tammie Hemmett joined Second Step in 2020 as Team Manager at Safe Haven Crisis & Recovery Centre in Weston-super-Mare. Here…

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Little and often – Daily habits that can make a positive change

11 November 2024

Meet Michael. He looks after himself by focusing on the small wins. Making time every day for activities that make him feel good…

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Dec 3

🌳 Owl Enlightenment, near Glastonbury, doesn’t just offer the chance to spend time with some majestic birds but also an opportunity to find peace and space in the middle of the Somerset countryside.

🦉 The calming effects of owls are used to help men reduce stress, improve confidence and promote positive feelings. Men like Joe who tells his story here.

Stepladder has helped fund this special project, which helps men’s wellbeing. Do you know a project in Somerset that helps connect men and aims to improve their mental health?

Do you think owls are calming creatures? Tell us below 👇

#mensmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #owllovers

wearesecondstep

Dec 3

Last Wednesday, volunteers from @lambertsmithhampton kindly joined us at Pennywell Road to help renovate our outdoor space.

They cleared land, planted bulbs and cut back hedges at the front, and helped cut back overhanging branches in the car park at the back.

A little robin even stopped by to join in with the work!

Now, the garden has been set up for spring and eventually will become a space we can enjoy when the weather is warm again.

Thank you again to these lovely volunteers – you're welcome back any time!

#volunteering #communityeffort #succeedingtogether

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Nov 20

On 15 November, Changing Futures, our innovative system change programme, welcomed senior leaders from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) to their offices in Bristol. Guests included Catherine Frances, James Rogers and Catherine Turner, who came to learn more about CF’s work supporting individuals facing multiple disadvantage (e.g. mental health challenges and homelessness).

The team was joined by members from their lived experience group, Independent Futures, who shared personal and client experiences to demonstrate the challenges people experiencing multiple disadvantage face.

In particular, CF discussed how their trauma-informed work builds trust and engagement with clients and workers across services and how prioritising earlier intervention can be more effective in breaking cycles of crisis. For example, A&E visits among CF clients dropped from 87% to 33% within just six months of joining the CF programme.

Key local partners also attended the event, including Aileen Edwards – Chief Executive of Second Step and VCSE Mental Health Alliance Representative – Kelvin Blake – Second Step Chair and Vice Chair of the Adult Social Care Committee – and representatives from Bristol City Council.

Overall, it was fantastic to bring so many key players within the system together, united by an appetite to learn and collaborate on meaningful system change to improve the experiences and outcomes of people facing multiple disadvantage in Bristol.

@mhclg @bristolcouncil @bnssg_icb @cfbristol

#SystemChange #ChangingFutures

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Nov 19

Did you know our clients take part in our recruitment process?

When Tammie interviewed for the role of Team Manager at our Safe Haven Crisis and Recovery Centre in Weston-super-Mare, a member of our STAR Recruitment Group (former clients who’ve been trained in recruitment) was on the interview panel:

“I was amazed. This particular person had bipolar disorder and I’d never known anyone to be so open about their experience in a professional setting. From the moment I arrived, I really felt like I belonged.

"I was asked to share who I was and immediately felt that the interview panel – which included members of the senior leadership team – accepted me.

"Although I had my management degree and experience from other places I’d worked, I also had lived experience that I believed would be useful for Second Step.
Lived experience brings hope and understanding and means clients can talk to someone non-judgemental.

"There really is a culture of learning and growing together and all our values support one another, which makes the organisation safe for both staff and clients. Someone can join Second Step as a peer volunteer, helping someone with their own lived experience, and end up in a paid role.

"That’s hope and courage in action.”

Visit our website News Hub to read Tammie’s blog post about why it’s so important to centre the voice of lived experience in mental health recovery work – link in bio.

Are you interested in a career in mental health or volunteering to support people with their mental health recovery? Visit: second-step.co.uk/work-for-us

@bnssg_icb @awp_nhs

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#MentalHealthCareers #MentalHealthJobs #NorthSomerset #WestonSuperMare #SafeHaven #CrisisSupport #MentalHealthCrisisSupport #PeerSupport #LivedExperience #MentalHealthRecovery #MentalHealthVolunteering #MentalHealthSupportWork #MentalHealthWorkers

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Nov 18

Finding life tough? Want to connect with others?

This Movember we’re asking men to use our interactive map where you will find lots of activities across Somerset.

It’s great to spend time with people who get you, right? So please try out our map today.

Click on the link in our bio and have a look. Then all you have to do is turn up.

#mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthmonth #mensmentalhealthawareness #movember

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Nov 13

Waking up to the realities of Bristol’s past”

As part of Black History Month, Internal Comms Officer Josie joined academics and authors Rob Collin, Mark Steeds, Dr Richard White and Dr Christina Horvath on a walking tour and book launch across Bristol, engaging with the city’s legacy of colonialism, empire and slavery.

Based around the recently published book “Breaking the Dead Silence: Engaging with Legacies of Empire and Salve-Ownership in Bath and Bristol’s Memoryscapes”, the walk and book launch explored Bristol and Bath’s role in the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans.

The book launch and walk were eye-opening experiences, forcing the audience and participants to consider their own relationship with the city and its colonial past.

You can read more here: https://www.second-step.co.uk/waking-up-to-the-realities-of-bristols-past/

@bathspauni @uniofbath @blackswnet

#blackhistorymonth #breakingthedeadsilence

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Nov 11

Meet Michael. He carves out a few minutes every day for his mental and physical health.

Remember that small steps can make a big difference to how you feel.

This Movember, Stepladder is raising awareness of men’s mental health.

Could you join Michael and add one action to your daily routine? Because this stuff matters. You matter.

Tell us the one step you could try today in the comments 👇

#movember #movember2024 #mensmentalhealthmonth #mensmentalhealthawareness

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Nov 5

Have you heard of the latest fitness fad called rucking?

This free and effective workout regime has been trending with people attracted to its simplicity; just put on a weighted rucksack and get walking!

James Hughes found rucking when he was diagnosed with diabetes and wanted to get fit. He didn’t expect that it would have a positive impact on his mental health too.

This Movember, Stepladder is encouraging men across Somerset to take small steps to improve your physical and mental wellbeing.

Don’t fancy rucking? Visit the link in our bio to find an interactive map of other activities to help you feel better.

There is something out there for everyone, you just have to turn up.

#movember2024 #movember #mensmentalhealth

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Nov 4

This November, Bristol Wellbeing College are running a new Men’s Mental Health course developed by Bristol Wellbeing Tutor Tom.

Made up of three sessions through the month, the course will consider specific challenges and factors that uniquely impact men.

The main themes will focus on understanding the fundamentals of mental health, whilst reflecting on where men sit in an evolving world and how to find purpose, identity and community in a time of great change.

Describing the course, Tom said: “The course will look at the fundamentals of mental health, emotional awareness, assertive communication, and aims to help men reflect on the impact that roles, stereotypes and expectations have on their wellbeing - how being a man has fundamentally shaped their journey.

“We hope that learners finish the course with a greater understanding of themselves - where to go next and what they need to get there, equipping learners with an action plan for positive progress and helping make decisions in line with their values.”

You can find out more about the Men’s Mental Health Course and Bristol Wellbeing College here: https://www.second-step.co.uk/wellbeing-colleges/bristol-wellbeing-college/entry/12266/#calendar-jump

#puttingmentalhealthfirst #mensmentalhealth

wearesecondstep

Nov 4

“You have to start with the small steps”

Last week Stepladder spoke to 10Radio about the small steps men can take to make a big difference.

🎙️ Listen again at www.10Radio.org today at 5.30pm, Tuesday at 11.30am or Wednesday 6.30am.

#mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #movember #mensmentalhealthmonth

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Nov 1

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is back! And to kick things off Stepladder will be talking about how men can take small steps to make a big difference in Somerset’s 10Radio.

Tune in at 10.30 to listen live.

#mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #movember #mensmentalhealthmonth

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Oct 23

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Oct 23

We are currently seeking a motivated and experienced expert(s) to undertake a review of Board non-executive payments.

Our dynamic voluntary Board includes people with lived experience and a Chair, who receives an honorarium.

We welcome proposals and applications from experts who meet the criteria and encourage applications from those with experience of governance in the voluntary and/or public sector.

Please email siobhan.conway@second-step.co.uk to request the Commissioning Brief.

#succeedingtogether

wearesecondstep

Oct 23

Can you help us review how our Board of Trustees works?
We are looking for an experienced consultant to review our skilled and dynamic Board to make sure it’s the best it can be. Our Board is made up of 12 non-Executives including people with lived experience.

Can you:

Deliver recommendations on how the Board can work to its highest level

Ensure the Board is functioning effectively

Ensure the Board is delivering its objectives and responsibilities

We are currently encouraging proposals from experienced facilitators, experts who meet the criteria, and those with experience of governance in the voluntary and/or public sector.

Please email siobhan.conway@second-step.co.uk to request the Commissioning Brief for either role.

#succeedingtogether

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Oct 14

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Oct 9

Pain can come with overwhelming changes and challenges. Bristol Wellbeing College is running a free 4-week course for adults (18+) in Bristol all about Managing Pain.

We will look at how pain impacts different areas of our lives, building awareness of the ways it affects us and strategies we can use to cope. Pain is intensified with lack of sleep, stress, anxiety and other mental health issues. We will reflect on and practice techniques to improve mental health and wellbeing through behaviours and lifestyle, which support us to create a more fulfilling life and sense of identity.

When: Tuesday 15th, 22nd, 29th October and 5th November 10.30am – 12.30pm

Where: Wellspring Settlement, 43 Ducie Road, Barton Hill, Bristol BS5 0AX

Who can sign up: All adults (18 years+) who live in Bristol are welcome.

Find out more and sign up on our website – link in bio.

#BristolWellbeingCollege #PutYourMentalHealthFirst #MentalHealthCourses #ManagingPain #PainAndMentalHealth #ChronicPain #BristolMentalHealth

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Oct 8

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Oct 7

Introducing our new range of FREE mental health and wellbeing workshops exclusively for adults (18+) living in South Gloucestershire.

Learn skills and techniques to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing and connect with new people. Run by our Bristol Wellbeing College, these workshops and courses in South Gloucestershire will focus on a variety of topics, including:

- Self-kindness
- Finding life balance
- Managing anxiety
- Managing intense emotions.

Find out more and sign up on our website – www.second-step.co.uk/bwc-south-glos/

#PutYourMentalHealthFirst #MentalHealthCourses #MentalHealthWorkshops

wearesecondstep

Sep 25

We’re excited to be part of the @1.question event tomorrow asking: who is responsible for our mental health?

With suicide rates at their highest for two decades, it’s more important than ever that local organisations, experts in the field and the community come together to understand what’s happening.

We’ll be there to listen, learn and contribute. Because this is about community wellbeing, about the public health agenda, the social determinants of health and the five ways to wellbeing. For us it’s also about the tried and tested prevention and early intervention work we do with middle-aged men through our Hope Project and the amazing learning that’s being provided through our Wellbeing Colleges in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Wellbeing and prevention is a community effort and by coming together tomorrow we hope to be part of a process which will find some answers to how best to improve people’s mental health.

#mentalhealthawareness

wearesecondstep

Sep 10

“Truthfully, I’m happy to be alive and be here today”

Drew came to the Hope Project when he was facing homelessness and struggling with his mental health, including having suicidal thoughts. Past trauma meant he found it hard to trust others. So, when he met Ezra for the first time at the job centre while being emergency housed, he didn’t feel safe opening up straight away.

It took time, but with Ezra’s support, Drew felt able to start sharing what was going on for him – from his worries and fears to his hobbies and interests, Ezra listened, and they formed a strong bond.

Working together they tackled some of the biggest issues Drew was struggling with such as his self-confidence, the challenges of living in emergency housing, and his worries about being bullied. Less than a year later, Drew lives independently, has many hobbies and friends, runs his own businesses, and looks forward to the future.

This #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, he’s sharing his story to help break the stigma that prevents men like himself from opening up about having suicidal thoughts.

Read Drew’s story in full on our website News Hub - link in bio (content warning: mentions of suicidal thoughts)

#StartTheConversation #HopeAndCourage

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