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
Southampton
If you're looking for a social anxiety support group in Southampton, you have options. WalkTheTalk runs a free online peer support group every Monday at 8pm, open to anyone in the UK, including people in Southampton. For NHS anxiety support, Southampton residents can refer themselves to Steps2Wellbeing, the city's NHS Talking Therapies service.
If you're reading this at 11pm wondering whether anyone else here feels the same, they do. Southampton asks a lot of you socially. The city council counts 37,300 higher education students in the city, so for a big slice of Southampton, life means flatmates, seminars and freshers' events. The waterfront has its own crowds too: it's the UK's largest cruise port. Evenings often mean the bars on Bedford Place or a packed St Mary's on match day.
None of that is easy when your stomach drops at the thought of small talk with someone new. If you're after social anxiety help in Southampton, you don't have to start with the scariest option. Below you'll find the group, local services and some quieter first steps.
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.
Southampton
NHS and local social anxiety therapy in Southampton
Alongside WalkTheTalk, these services are available nearby. These are signposts, not endorsements. Always verify details before visiting.
Steps2Wellbeing (NHS Talking Therapies Southampton)
Southampton's NHS Talking Therapies service offers free talking therapies, online courses and guided self-help for anxiety and low mood. Adults registered with a Southampton GP can refer themselves online or by phone, without seeing a GP first.
Solent Mind
Southampton's local Mind runs peer support, horticultural therapy at Mayfield and the Lighthouse centres in Bitterne and Shirley for out-of-hours support. It's a good place to start if you'd like to meet people face to face.
SO:Linked
SO:Linked is Southampton's community navigation service, sometimes called social prescribing. Tell the team what you're finding hard and they'll point you towards local groups and activities. You can call 023 8021 6050 or refer yourself online.
Anxiety UK
A national charity run by and for people with anxiety. It has an infoline on 03444 775 774, online support groups and courses, and therapy from £20 a session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a social anxiety support group in Southampton?
Yes. WalkTheTalk runs a free online social anxiety peer support group that people in Southampton join every Monday at 8pm. It's one UK-wide group rather than a Southampton-only session, so you'll be in a small breakout room with people from across the UK, Southampton included. Solent Mind also runs community peer support groups in the city.
How do I get help for social anxiety on the NHS in Southampton?
You can refer yourself to Steps2Wellbeing, Southampton's NHS Talking Therapies service, without seeing your GP first. It offers free talking therapies, online courses and guided self-help for anxiety. You can refer online or by phone, and the team will contact you to arrange an assessment. Start here: https://www.steps2wellbeing.co.uk/easy_ways_to_refer/
Is WalkTheTalk free?
Yes, WalkTheTalk is completely free. There's no fee, no GP referral, no diagnosis needed and no waiting list. If you're looking for free social anxiety support online in the UK, you can sign up and join the next Monday session at 8pm. You don't need to prove anything or explain yourself to get in.
What happens at a WalkTheTalk session?
You join a video call at 8pm on a Monday and move into a breakout room of 5-6 people. There's a check-in, time to share wins or struggles, and a chat about anything coming up that feels hard. You finish with one small thing to try that week. Sharing is optional, and listening is a perfectly good way to start.
Is peer support the same as therapy?
No. Peer support means talking with people who understand social anxiety because they've lived with it too, while therapy is delivered by a trained clinician. WalkTheTalk isn't therapy and doesn't replace it. It can work alongside therapy, though. You could come to Monday sessions while having CBT through Steps2Wellbeing and use the group to practise what you're learning.
Will I meet people from Southampton?
Yes, there are WalkTheTalk members in Southampton. The Monday group is one online session for the whole UK, so your breakout room could include people from anywhere. Over time we're investing in more local connection, including community socials, meetups and eventually city-based groups. There are no dates yet, but joining now puts you in the room as it takes shape.
What can I do while I wait for NHS therapy in Southampton?
You can make a start now with peer support, local groups and self-help, so you don't have to put everything on hold until your Steps2Wellbeing appointment. Join a WalkTheTalk Monday session to practise being around people in a low-stakes way, ask SO:Linked about local groups, or try Anxiety UK's self-care tools.