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
Leicester
If you're living with social anxiety in Leicester, you have more options than it might feel like right now. You can refer yourself for free NHS talking therapy, drop into a mental health café with no appointment, or join WalkTheTalk - a free, online social anxiety support group Leicester members already attend every Monday at 8pm.
Social anxiety can feel especially lonely in a city this young. More than half of residents were under 35 at the 2021 Census, against 42.7% across England, according to De Montfort University's analysis. With two universities in the city, a lot of social life runs on freshers' weeks, seminar groups and nights out where everyone else seems to know someone already.
Lots of Leicester's residents also started life somewhere else - around 58% were born in England, compared with 80% nationally. That mix is one of the city's strengths. It can also mean moving between family, work and friendship groups that each expect something different from you, which is tiring when every conversation already takes effort.
None of this means something is wrong with you. It just means social anxiety help in Leicester needs to fit around the life you actually have.
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.
Leicester
Social anxiety therapy in Leicester - NHS and local support
Alongside WalkTheTalk, these services are available nearby. These are signposts, not endorsements. Always verify details before visiting.
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland NHS Talking Therapies
Free NHS talking therapy, including CBT, for adults 16 and over who are registered with a GP in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland. You can self-refer online or by phone on 0330 094 5595 - no GP appointment needed.
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Mind
Leicester's local Mind runs wellbeing groups, supported self-help and a drop-in Neighbourhood Mental Health Café in Braunstone. Call 0116 216 4340 to find out what might suit you.
Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafés
Drop-in cafés for adults 18 and over across the city, including Highfields, Belgrave, Beaumont Leys and the city centre, with some evening sessions. No referral or appointment - you can walk in and talk to trained staff.
Anxiety UK
A national charity run by and for people with lived experience of anxiety. Its 24/7 infoline is 03444 775 774, and members get access to low-cost therapy, support groups and courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there social anxiety meetups in Leicester?
Not in-person WalkTheTalk ones yet. WalkTheTalk runs one free online peer support group for the whole UK, every Monday at 8pm, and it already includes people from Leicester. You meet in breakout rooms of 5-6, so it feels more like a small table than a crowd. For face-to-face support, Leicester's Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafés are drop-in.
Who do I contact for NHS talking therapies in Leicester?
Contact Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland NHS Talking Therapies, run by Vita Health Group in partnership with the NHS. If you're 16 or over and registered with a local GP, you can self-refer online or call 0330 094 5595. You don't need to see your GP first. Start here: https://vitahealthgroup.co.uk/nhs-talking-therapies/leicester-leicestershire-rutland/
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 letter to join WalkTheTalk, and there's no waiting list. It's free. If social anxiety is getting in the way of your life - or you just think it might be - that's enough. Sign up, turn up on Monday at 8pm, and take it from there.
Do I have to speak in a peer support session?
No, speaking is always optional. At WalkTheTalk you start with a short check-in, then join a breakout room of 5-6 people to share wins, struggles and what's coming up, and you leave with one small thing to try. If you only listen the first time, that still counts. Saying one sentence the week after is progress too.
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 - it sits alongside it. You can come to WalkTheTalk while you wait for CBT, and keep coming during and after. It's a low-pressure place to practise the things therapy asks of you. Tell your therapist you're going, too, so they can help you link the two.
Is WalkTheTalk planning local groups in Leicester?
Yes, local connection is where we're heading, but we haven't set any dates. Right now WalkTheTalk is one online group with members across the UK, including Leicester. We're investing in community socials, meetups and, over time, city-based groups. Joining now means you get to help shape what that looks like in Leicester.
What can I do while I wait for NHS therapy in Leicester?
Plenty - you don't have to just sit and wait. You can drop into a Leicester Neighbourhood Mental Health Café, join WalkTheTalk on Mondays, or try Anxiety UK's self-care tools. If things get worse while you wait, call NHS 111 and choose option 2, which connects you to the area's 24/7 mental health line, or call Samaritans on 116 123.