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
Leeds
If you're looking for a social anxiety support group in Leeds, you have more options than it might feel like at 11pm. WalkTheTalk runs a free online peer support group every Monday at 8pm, open to anyone in Leeds and across the UK. For NHS help, you can refer yourself to Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service without seeing your GP first.
Leeds is a city that runs on socialising. It has five universities, a student scene built around Fruity Friday and the Otley Run, and the cocktail bars of Call Lane. If small talk makes your chest tighten, that can make the city feel like one long group chat you're not quite in.
Getting about adds its own layer. Leeds is still the largest city in Western Europe without a light rail or mass transit system, so a lot of daily life happens on busy buses, where you can't step off when the anxiety climbs.
None of this means something is wrong with you. There's proper social anxiety help in Leeds, from NHS therapy to local charities, and anxiety support in Leeds doesn't have to start with a big leap. It can start with a quiet Monday evening.
Confidence is a muscle. WalkTheTalk is about giving you an easy, low-stakes way to train yours. Every Monday at 8pm
Join a Monday session →
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.
Leeds
NHS social anxiety therapy and support in Leeds
Alongside WalkTheTalk, these services are available nearby. These are signposts, not endorsements. Always verify details before visiting.
Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (NHS Talking Therapies)
Free NHS talking therapies, including CBT, for adults aged 17+ registered with a Leeds GP. You can refer yourself online or by phone on 0113 843 4388, with no GP appointment needed.
Leeds Mind
An independent local charity, founded in 1972, offering counselling, peer support, social prescribing and workplace support across Leeds. Its peer-led groups, including a Managing Anxiety course, are on hold during a review at the time of writing, so check the page for new dates.
Live Well Leeds
Community mental health support for adults 18+ in Leeds with mild to moderate needs, with or without a diagnosis. It runs welcome cafés, social drop-ins and peer support groups, and you can self-refer on 0113 219 2727.
Anxiety UK
A national charity run by and for people with lived experience of anxiety, around since 1970. It has a 24/7 infoline on 03444 775 774, plus support groups, courses and low-cost therapy for members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there social anxiety meetups in Leeds?
Not in person through WalkTheTalk yet, but you can join our free online group every Monday at 8pm, and it already includes people from Leeds. It's one UK-wide group meeting by video call. Live Well Leeds also runs welcome cafés and social drop-ins in Leeds if you'd like something face to face.
Who do I contact for NHS talking therapies in Leeds?
Contact Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service, the NHS talking therapies service for the city. It offers CBT and other talking therapies for anxiety. If you're 17 or over and registered with a Leeds GP, you can refer yourself online without seeing your GP first, or call 0113 843 4388 on weekdays, 8am to 4pm. Start at leedsmentalwellbeingservice.co.uk/refer-yourself.
Do I need a referral or diagnosis to join a peer support group?
No, not for WalkTheTalk. You don't need a referral, a diagnosis or a GP appointment, and there's no waiting list. It's also free. If social anxiety sounds like what you're living with, that's enough. Other services can work differently, so check each one, but our Monday group is open to anyone in the UK.
Do I have to speak in a peer support session?
No. Sharing is always optional at WalkTheTalk. Each Monday starts with a check-in, then you move into a breakout room of 5-6 people to talk about the week and pick one small thing to try. You can listen for the whole hour if that's what feels manageable. Hearing someone else describe the same dread can make it easier to speak next time.
Can I join a peer support group while I'm on an NHS waiting list?
Yes. Peer support isn't therapy, so it doesn't replace NHS treatment or CBT, but it works alongside it. If you've referred yourself to Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service and you're waiting to hear back, a Monday session with WalkTheTalk gives you somewhere to practise being around people in the meantime, rather than just waiting.
Is WalkTheTalk planning local groups in Leeds?
Yes, that's the plan, though we can't promise dates yet. Right now WalkTheTalk is one online group, and Leeds members are already part of it. We're investing in local connection: community socials, meetups and, over time, city-based peer groups. Joining the Monday group now means you'll be part of that from the start.
Is there social anxiety support for students in Leeds?
Yes. If you study at the University of Leeds, Student Counselling and Wellbeing offers free, confidential one-to-one appointments, groups and workshops (0113 343 4107). Elsewhere, check your own university's wellbeing team. Students aged 17+ registered with a Leeds GP can also self-refer to Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service, and WalkTheTalk's Monday group is open to students too.