There’s so much that we can do in our daily lives to make us more resilient to life’s ups and downs. Connecting with others, taking a bit more exercise, stimulating the brain, giving, and paying more attention to the present moment all aid good mental wellbeing. And now www.mentalhealthcamden.co.uk makes it much easier to find what’s available in the borough, with details of local community centres and specialist groups, clubs and courses, workshops and volunteering opportunities. Many of these are free or low-cost, and some might be taking place just around the corner from where you live!
You are here
Looking after Yourself
Where to get help
One You Camden
The website One You Camden is a gateway into the many activities and choices that can aid good mental health, such as healthy eating and quitting smoking . The website offers plenty of practical and locally based support.
National Algerian Centre
The National Algerian Centre aims to provide activities and services to the Algerian community in the UK as well as promoting the unique traditions and diverse culture of Algeria to the wider public.
Frazzled Cafe
'Frazzled Cafe is about people coming together to share their stories, calmly sitting together, stating their case and feeling validated as a result. Feeling heard, to me, has always been half the cure.' Ruby Wax, founder and patron.
Scotscare, the charity for Scots in London
Currently open
Currently closed. Next open:
9:00-17:00
We offer a wide range of support to help you permanently overcome issues that may be holding you or your family back. Our team will spend time listening to you, considering what sort of support you need and how we may be able to help. We tailor our support to each individual and our clients are always welcome to return to us again in future.
Highgate Newtown Community Centre - HNNC
HNNC welcomes all who enjoy crafts, sports or learning new skills. We particularly welcome (and can help) people struggling to make ends meet, children needing local sports and under 5s play activities. People living alone will enjoy a hot meal in our café and have company sitting at a table. We offer a host of services for those unemployed and young people completing youth reparation sentences.
Our Three Points
We are a diverse network of people aged 60+ in the Gospel Oak and Haverstock areas, working together to build connections between local people, places and nature. We work together to offer a range of activities promoting sociability, community involvement and a strong voice for people aged 60+. Activities take place at different locations across Camden. What are Our Three Points?
- Our voices - raising the voices of people aged 60+ to ensure they have a say in issues that affect them.
Third Age Project
We serve people in Camden, 60 years and over, on low incomes, who live on their own, are socially isolated or who may be living with a long-term health condition or disability. Activities include weekly socials, Art, craft, drama, Ukulele music, choir, cycling, dance, tai chi, yoga, chair-based exercises, health talks and much more. Our members also benefit from reduced priced events, tea dances and coach trips.
London Nightline - 'students there for students'
We are a confidential listening, support and practical information service for students in London and Open University. You can talk to us about anything – big or small – in complete confidence. We won’t judge you or tell you how to run your life: we’ll simply listen to whatever is on your mind.
All our volunteers are students themselves, who have undergone extensive training and who understand that university life isn’t always plain sailing.
Dragon Hall, Covent Garden
Dragon Hall Trust is a forward thinking charitable organisation offering social, educational and recreational activities. These include a thriving programme of events for the 55s and over with comedy and quiz nights, yoga, singing and dancing and more.
For the full monthly over 55s timetable please click here.
Free Space Project
We are a charity supporting arts and community initiatives within Kentish Town Health Centre in Camden, north London. Our aim is to relieve mental and physical suffering through the use of the arts and holistic care.
We work in partnership with the James Wigg and Queens Crescent GP practices as part of a social prescribing model, meaning we take in-house referrals for registered patients. At times we are able to wider accommodate those living in the borough of Camden that are not registered patients and general public events.
Sidings Community Centre
Sidings Community Centre opened in May 1983 and we provide services primarily for the local community in the wider area around West Hampstead and North Kilburn.
WISH Plus - for better wellbeing at home
With WISH Plus you can receive a package of support for Warmth, Income, Safety and Health services - WISH. Services include: energy efficiency improvements visits; advice for those who have benefits issues and need help with an appeal; home security checks; and help for those living with anxiety or stress. Read more about WISH Plus.
Stuart Low Trust - a 'welcoming place of support'
Stuart Low Trust (SLT) is a health promotion charity based in Islington, but open to all. Our mission is to ensure that local people, especially those experiencing social isolation or mental distress, have access to the support they need for better health and wellbeing.
Camden Council: how to get active and healthy
There are lots of different ways to fit physical activity into your routine, with many free and low-cost activities available across the borough. The Get active and healthy page at Camden Council's website is a great place to start.
West Euston Partnership - Improving local people’s opportunities in health, employment and community life
Currently open
Currently closed. Next open:
10:00-13:00 , 14:00-17:00
The partnership aims to improve local people’s opportunities in health, employment and community life. We deliver a highly successful careers advice service that covers the London Borough of Camden. Our One Stop Shop is a safe and supportive environment with free computer access and study facilities and our wellbeing projects are a vital force for promoting health and social cohesion. Read more about our work and sign up for the monthly newsletter.
Lisson Grove Choir
We are an amateur choir specialising in the polyphony and plainchant of the Roman Catholic church. Our home is the lovely church of Our Lady, in St John’s Wood, London. We have a huge collection of masses so music is rarely repeated within three years. This means that the members must be able to read music accurately. However, perfect sight reading is not absolutely necessary and a love of the genre is more important than encyclopaedic knowledge.
Camden Health Kick - bringing the generations together
This intergenerational project empowers families to live a happier and healthier life. All ages are welcome at our free and fun healthy living opportunities. Read more about Camden Health Kick or click on this link to see their latest programme of events.
St Pancras and Somers Town Living Centre
The St Pancras and Somers Town Living Centre is a community centre offering health and wellbeing services to the St Pancras and Somers Town community, where local people help to co-design, deliver and use projects that tackle their own health, wellbeing, economic and social issues. The centre offers wide-ranging support and resources for local residents, around all aspects of health – from physical to mental health, ageing education to financial health education, professional training, counselling, career-advancing volunteering opportunities and more.
Thrive - using gardening to change lives
Thrive is a small national charity which uses gardening to improve physical health and emotional wellbeing. Watch this video to find out more about their work.
From Battersea Park, Thrive welcomes keen and budding gardeners of all abilities. Read about Thrive's events programme at Battersea.
The benefits?
Healthy Minds
The Healthy Minds April - June 22 Programme can be found here.
About the Healthy Minds Community Programme:
Queens Crescent Community Centre
Throughout the government's Coronavirus lockdown, we are running our 'Fight C19' emergency help centre at Ashdown Crescent, NW5. If you are a QCCA user, a local resident or simply in need, we are offering a range of services. Please remember that our building is not open to the public during this period. Access is by appointment only. If you turn up without an appointment, we cannot let you in.
Holborn Community Association - in the heart of Holborn
There are programmes for under 5s; young people and those over 55. Activities are focused around responding to local needs, and encouraging people from all walks of life to get involved in activities which will build social cohesion. The over 55s programme is run from the Millman Street Community Centre, which includes performance, arts and crafts, and excercise.
Maiden Lane Community Centre
During the coronavirus outbreak affecting the UK, Maiden Lane Community Centre management has decided to close the Centre and suspend Centre-related activities until further notice. In response to the COVID- 19 outbreak Maiden Lane Community Centre is working with a range of partners to re-open our Food Bank.
Camden Green Gym
As expected and regretfully, our normal Camden Green Gym volunteering opportunities for health, wellbeing and conservation have had to be suspended! To keep in mind for post corona virus times: New volunteer referrals will be welcome once the social isolation period ends!
Somers Town Community Association
STCA is a locally managed organisation set in the heart of St Pancras and Somers Town. We offer a wide range of activities and services for children, young people and adults from across the community. Our users are people who live or work in the area and have been making decisions about what services we deliver for over 30 year.
Swiss Cottage Community Centre
Currently open
Currently closed. Next open:
10:00-18:00
Swiss Cottage Community Centre provides facilities for recreation and leisure-time activities with the aim of maintaining and improving the conditions of life for the residents of Swiss Cottage. There are activities and support for the over 60s including a social club and exercise, a dedicated play area for under 5's, language classes including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), a range of holistic therapies, room hire, and a community cafe with outdoor terrace.
Wellbeing Club - (Chinese Mental Health Association)
Currently open
Currently closed. Next open:
12:00-16:00
The Wellbeing Club is aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at Chinese Elders who wish to improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Through our programme of fun and informative activities, talks and exercise classes, we wish to give attendees the awareness, knowledge and means to improve their own health and so prevent more acute problems from arising later in life. The Wellbeing Club is also a safe, friendly and open social space, giving our attendees a platform to make new friends.
Kentish Town Community Centre
Currently open
Currently closed. Next open:
9:00-21:00
Activities include: English classes, ballet, capoera, business start-up training, legal advice, massage and relaxation for over 50s, beginners' meditation, yoga, legal and housing advice.
King's Cross - Brunswick Neighbourhood Association
Our aim is to improve the quality of life of local residents through the active involvement of people living in the King’s Cross and Brunswick area of Camden. We aim to do this without making any distinction on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation and race, or of political, religious or other opinions. We have a Youth Team, Community Programme and help young women - programmes are designed to support residents so that they become more independent and confident.
Kingsgate Community Centre
Currently open
Currently closed. Next open:
9:00-21:00
Kingsgate Community Centre offers low-cost activities to people who would not otherwise be able to access them. Our programme of more than 45 activities includes health and fitness, art and dance classes, and social events.
KOVE Kilburn Older Voices Exchange
Kove is an independent community group for older people in Kilburn, West Hampstead, Finchley Road, and Swiss Cottage offering support and linking people within the community. We run local forums, bench to bench walks, a film club and other activities. All older people welcome.
We also campaign on local issues facing older people.
We are part of Ageing Better in Camden, a partnership of older people and Camden organisations, working together to tackle social isolation and loneliness among older people.
Latin American House
Currently open
Currently closed. Next open:
10:00-18:00
Latin American House offers legal and social advice in relation to benefits, housing, employment, immigration, and the European Settlement Scheme. We also offer adult classes in a range of subjects (English, Spanish, Digital Skills), a bilingual nursery for children aged 2-5, a Spanish Saturday School for children of spanish-speaking families, cultural events, and general signposting and support for life in the UK.
Please visit our website to book an advice session.
London Irish Centre Community Services
Currently open
Currently closed. Next open:
9:00-17:00
Wellbeing Services (Day Centre). This runs three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Kennedy Hall at the The London Irish Centre - address opposite. The service is for people over the age of 55 with low-medium support needs. We offer a warm Irish welcome and provide:
- Home cooked nutritious meals
- Classes
- Activities
- Workshops
- Healthy Living
- Day trips
- Holidays
- Tea dances
NHS Fitness Choices: get fit for free
The website includes videos, tips for beginners and easy to follow steps to improve your health, plus details of the 'Strength and Flex' programme, which will help your wellbeing in just five weeks.
St Pancras Community Association
We are a community association based near Mornington Crescent Station. We offer something for all ages, including outings, classes and coffee for over 60s in their Golden Years, Stay & Play and nursery provision for pre-school children, and exercise for all ages, especially if you're not so fit and need a little boost towards getting healthy.
SHAK, South Hampstead and Kilburn Community Partnership
We enable young people and adults living on and around Alexandra and Ainsworth estates to discover their talents, passion, skills and confidence to overcome the barriers they face to social and economic inclusion.
We run two programmes:
Calthorpe Project - a green oasis in Kings's Cross
We provide a community centre and garden which enable local people to mix, socialise and improve their quality of life. The Centre has a thriving programme which includes: Community Gardening, where you can grow some veg to take home or share with other volunteers and friends; a ‘Living Lab’, with food grown on-site for the Centre’s café; Gardening for Older People, which takes place every Friday; and a Bangladeshi Women’s Garden
Camden Chinese Community Centre
Currently open
Currently closed. Next open:
9:30-15:30
A community centre which has a variety of activities, social outings and an elderly adults club.
The centre also has a personalised home care service for elderly Chinese people in Camden.
Kosmos Centre - working with BME women and their families
Drop-in advice and advocacy, legal advice, befriending, health and wellbeing.
Camden Town Shed - where you can 'work and chat with your mates'
Our workshop offers woodwork (joinery, turning, sculpture, marquetry etc) in open sessions on Tuesdays 10am-4pm (men only) and Wednesdays 10am-4pm (mixed) and in a closed tutored session for people needing support on Mondays 1.30-4pm. (Access on Mondays is by calling Alan on 07429 651 676). We also offer a clay hand-building class which meets each Wednesday from 2-4pm.
Castlehaven Community Association
Currently open
Currently closed. Next open:
9:30-21:30
Due to government advice regarding Covid-19, we have made the tough decision to close the Community Centre and halt all our activities. Our staff and volunteers work face to face with hundreds of vulnerable people each year, to continue our reach we have moved our work to email or over the telephone, until it is safe to return to normal working practices. Please regularly check our website and social media for Castlehaven news. We are currently developing measures to help the community during this difficult time. Please stay safe and healthy.
Good Gym Camden
Get fit at the same time as doing good deeds. GoodGym has a number of ways to take part:
Henna Asian Women's Group
Henna Asian Women’s Group is a Women-Only community based organisation set up over 32 years ago in London to support women to overcome their isolation. We encourage ladies who are lonely due to language, cultural or health barriers to attend our women - only services. Membership fees are £10.00 annually.
Health Awareness
Bengali Workers Association
The Bengali Workers Association is a community centre offering a range of individual and group activities as well as support for the Bengalese community.
Drop in or book an activity using the contact details below.
Community Association for West Hampstead - 'bringing the local community together'
Currently open
Currently closed. Next open:
10:00-16:00
Due to Covid-19 West Hampstead Community Centre is closed until further notice. During this time we will be sending out regular newsletters on what you can do while at home with children or as an adult; providing information about local services that may be able to help you and anything else we think may be useful. Please go to the newsletter sign up here if you would like to hear from us.
Abbey Community Centre CHAPS
Currently open
Currently closed. Next open:
9:30-17:00
Abbey Community Centre - CHAPS offers group fitness and sport activities for men over 50 including:
- cooking
- gardening
- photography
- time banking.
They also offer a Cocaine Anonymous support group.
We all have times when life’s problems affect our mental health. Maybe you are feeling down and need a safe space to chat, or you would like to meet new people or try something different? This website lists over 100 groups in and around Camden, many offering free or low-cost activities. While some will help with a specific problem, others offer everyday activities to encourage us all to get out and about. Why not find what appeals to you. You can make a list of the groups that are of interest with ‘My Shortlist’.
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