Free, online, every Monday at 8pm. No waiting lists, no pressure.
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1 in 8
people in the UK will experience social anxiety at some point
Free
always, for anyone in the UK - no referral, no waiting list, no catch
20%
average reduction in symptoms after 10+ sessions, based on member data
Bristol
If you're looking for a social anxiety support group in Bristol, there are a few places to start. NHS Talking Therapies takes self-referrals from anyone 16 or over registered with a Bristol GP, Bristol Mind runs an evening listening line, and WalkTheTalk runs a free online peer support group every Monday at 8pm, with Bristol members joining from home.
That's the short answer. The longer one is that Bristol can be a hard city to be quiet in. It's the largest city in the South West, and 68,800 students were registered at its two main universities in 2024/25, according to Bristol City Council. That adds up to a lot of freshers' fairs, seminar introductions and house parties where everyone else seems to know someone already.
People move on, too. The council says that for the last five years more residents have moved out of Bristol than moved in from elsewhere in the UK, so friendship groups keep shifting and starting over is normal. If finding social anxiety help in Bristol feels daunting, or a pint on the Harbourside with new colleagues makes your chest tighten, you're not odd. It's common, and it does get easier.
Confidence is a muscle. WalkTheTalk is about giving you an easy, low-stakes way to train yours. Every Monday at 8pm
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HOW IT WORKS
Small steps. Real people. No pressure.
Every Monday at 8pm, you join a small group online. Here’s what happens.
8:00 - 8:10
Check in honestly
Everyone shares briefly how the week's gone. There's no pressure to say more than you want to, especially the first time.
8:10 - 8:40
Share a win and a struggle
This is where the real conversation happens - sharing what's on your mind with people who understand without needing an explanation.
8:40 - 8:50
Leave with one thing to try
Pick one small thing to practice before next Monday - a concrete action. If time, we try social anxiety icebreakers to keep the conversation going.
Bristol
Social anxiety therapy in Bristol: NHS and local support
Alongside WalkTheTalk, these services are available nearby. These are signposts, not endorsements. Always verify details before visiting.
NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Talking Therapies
Free NHS talking therapies, including CBT, for people 16 and over registered with a GP in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire, delivered by Vita Health Group. You can self-refer online or on 0333 200 1893, with no GP appointment needed.
Bristol Mind
An independent local mental health charity on Fairfax Street, affiliated to national Mind. Its Mindline listening service (0117 203 4419) is open Wednesday to Sunday, 7pm to 11pm, for residents of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Bristol Wellbeing College
Free mental health and wellbeing workshops and courses for adults in Bristol, run by the charity Second Step in community venues and online. Recent sessions have included confidence building, assertive communication and an anxiety course, and there's a weekly Wellbeing Café.
Anxiety UK
A national charity founded in 1970 and run by people with lived experience of anxiety. It offers an infoline on 03444 775 774, one-to-one calls with peer supporters, groups and courses, and low-cost therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there social anxiety meetups in Bristol?
WalkTheTalk runs a free social anxiety support group that Bristol members join online every Monday at 8pm. It's one UK-wide group rather than a Bristol-only meetup, so you'll be in breakout rooms with people from all over the country. Between sessions, we help members find offline meetups to try, then talk them through together the following Monday.
Who do I contact for NHS talking therapies in Bristol?
Contact NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Talking Therapies, which Vita Health Group runs on behalf of the NHS. You can self-refer online using their digital referral assistant, or call 0333 200 1893 (Monday to Wednesday 8am-8pm, Thursday and Friday 8am-5pm). You don't need to see your GP first. It's free if you're 16 or over and registered with a local GP.
Do I need a referral or diagnosis to join a peer support group?
No. You don't need a referral, a diagnosis or a GP appointment to join WalkTheTalk, and there's no waiting list. It's completely free. If social anxiety is getting in the way of your life, or you just think it might be, that's reason enough to come. Sign up and join the next Monday session at 8pm.
Do I have to speak in a peer support session?
No, sharing is always optional. Each session starts with a check-in, then you'll join a breakout room of five or six people to talk through wins, struggles and anything coming up. You'll leave with one small thing to try that week. If you'd rather just listen the first time, that's fine. Hearing someone describe exactly what you feel can be enough on its own.
Can I join a peer support group while I'm on an NHS waiting list?
Yes. WalkTheTalk is peer support, not therapy, so it sits alongside NHS talking therapies or CBT rather than replacing them. You can join while you wait, during treatment, or after it ends when you want to keep practising. We can't diagnose or treat anything, but we can give you a low-pressure place to try things out, week by week.
Is WalkTheTalk planning local groups in Bristol?
It's part of the plan, but we're not promising dates. Right now WalkTheTalk is one online group, and Bristol members are already part of it. We're investing in local connection - community socials, meetups and, over time, city-based peer groups. Joining now means you're there from the start and can help shape what something in Bristol looks like.
How can I cope with social anxiety at work in Bristol?
Start small and specific rather than trying to fix everything at once. Pick one situation, like speaking first in a stand-up, and practise it. Notice your safety behaviours - the things you do to protect yourself, like rehearsing every sentence before a meeting - and try dropping one. Bristol's NHS Talking Therapies service also offers employment support if anxiety is affecting your job.