Free Wellbeing for Us drop-ins now run in Beverley, Goole, Hornsea, Holderness and Driffield. Beverley's next is Monday 19 October; adults can self-refer.
Adults in the East Riding can now join free mental health drop-in groups in five places, with no GP referral needed. The groups are run by a new service called Wellbeing for Us, which the council pays for from its public health budget.
The next Beverley group meets at Morton House on Monday 19 October, from 12.30pm to 2pm. A new monthly group starts in Driffield on Friday 30 October.
The details are in an East Riding of Yorkshire Council release published on 8 October, ahead of World Mental Health Day. The service’s own East Riding page says it is funded by the council to give “free mental health and wellbeing support in the community”.
The quick answer
- Who it is for: residents aged 18 and over. It is free.
- How to join: fill in the form on the Wellbeing for Us website, call 0330 229 7652 or email er.support@wellbeingforus.com.
- What you get: informal “cuppa and a chat” drop-in groups, and six-week workshops on things like anxiety, stress and confidence.
- Next Beverley group: Monday 19 October, 12.30pm to 2pm, Morton House.
- Urgent help: this is not an emergency service. If you need help now, call 111 and choose the mental health option, or 999 if a life is at risk.
When and where the drop-in groups meet
The council lists five peer support groups. The next dates below are worked out from the pattern the council gives, so check with the service before travelling.
| Where | When it meets | Time | Next date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morton House, Beverley | Third Monday of the month | 12.30pm to 2pm | Mon 19 October |
| The Junction, Goole | Every Wednesday | 1pm to 3pm | Wed 21 October |
| Driffield Community Centre | Monthly, on a Friday (new) | 1pm to 2pm | Fri 30 October (first session) |
| Lelley Fields Crematorium, Holderness | Second Wednesday of the month | 9.30am to 10.30am | Wed 11 November |
| The Potteries, Hornsea (new) | Third Thursday of the month | 10.30am to 12pm | Thu 19 November |
The groups run on a drop-in basis. The council says each session has its own theme, activity or guest speaker, shaped by the people who come.
More groups are planned. The council says further peer support groups “will be set up across the East Riding as the service establishes”. It has not said where or when.
The six-week workshops
The workshops run in blocks of six weeks, on a rolling basis depending on demand. The council says they aim to build confidence and resilience, reduce isolation and teach coping skills.
Topics include:
- coping with anxiety and depression
- managing stress
- relationships
- building confidence
- mindfulness for mental health
The council lists workshop venues in nine towns:
- Beverley: Morton House
- Bridlington: Bridlington Community Hub and North Bridlington Library
- Driffield: Driffield Community Centre
- Goole: East Riding Libraries Goole
- Hedon: The Junction at Hedon Methodist Church
- Hessle: East Riding Leisure Haltemprice and Hessle Town Hall
- Hornsea: Hornsea Parish Hall
- Pocklington: Pocklington Arts Centre and All Saints Church
- Withernsea: Shores Centre
The service’s page says it also offers some workshops online. Workshop dates are not published on either site, so you need to contact the team to find the next block near you.
How the service is organised
The local team covers the district in three areas:
- Beverley and Holderness
- Goole and Haltemprice
- Wolds, Driffield and Bridlington
As well as running groups, the council says the team signposts people to other community organisations, and refers them on to NHS or health services where that is needed.
Health and social care workers, the council, community groups and schools and colleges can also refer someone on their behalf.
What it means for you
If you have been struggling and do not know where to start, this is a low-key way in. You do not need a diagnosis or a doctor’s letter to go to a drop-in. You can turn up to the group nearest you, or call the team first if you would rather know what to expect.
If you are worried about a friend or relative, you can pass on the number. A professional who already works with them, such as a social worker or support worker, can make the referral.
If you need help urgently, do not wait for a group. The NHS says to call 111 and select the mental health option, or use 111 online. In an emergency, call 999.
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