Health and Wellbeing

What is mental health?

The Young Minds website says:  We all have good days and bad days, but when negative thoughts and feelings start to affect your daily life and stop you doing the things you enjoy, or your ability to feel ok, this means you probably need some support with your mental health. For example, nearly everyone gets anxious before an exam, a job interview or a first date. But if we feel anxious all the time, constantly worrying that the worst could happen, and this stops us sleeping well or meeting up with friends, we might benefit from some help.

There are many services available to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people in Southwark.  Please visit the wellbeing section of the local offer for full details. 

Click on the links below for more information on Southwark Health services

Targeted and Specialist Services (referral required)

Universal Health Services (available to all Southwark residents)

The following Southwark services offer free and confidential sexual and reproductive health advice. All of the clinics are walk-in clinics but some also offer an online booking system as well. Visit the websites for opening times and booking information.

Burrell Street Sexual Health Centre
4-6 Burrell Street, London SE1 0UN
Tel: 020 7188 6666
Website 

Walworth Road Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic
157 -169 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RY
Tel: 020 3049 4006
Website 

It is important to be aware of how we are eating and what we are eating. Click on the links below for information about healthy lifestyles and exercise.

Food, A Fact of Life - This website has lots of information for young people about healthy eating, nutrition and cooking.

Managing Weight with a Learning Disability - Information from the NHS about managing weight in a healthy way.

Eat Well Guide - The Eat Well Guide has information about how to eat a balanced diet.

A guide to supporting people with learning disabilities to have a healthy diet and to be active - Download this PDF document about health for people with learning disabilities.

For up-to-date information about Southwark exercise classes, courses and opportunities to keep fit in person and online,
please visit the Southwark Council webpage here

Outdoor Gyms:

Everyone should have a go on one of our outdoor gyms. The equipment is low impact so it is easy and safe to use without a gym induction. So save yourself the membership fee and come down to give it a try! But please do remember to stretch before and after any exercise.

Leyton Square
It is situated near to the playground and the astro pitch just off Peckham Park Road, and open for all to use.

Tabard Gardens
Near to the playground and the astro pitch just off Tabard Street.

Peckham Rye Park
Follow the path leading from the entrance near the junction of Peckham Rye and Homestall Road, past the Adventure Playground and you will find the gym next to the skate park.

Haddon Hall Estate
At Haddon Hall Estate the outdoor gym is on Potier Street, just off Great Dover Street. It's not just for Estate residents - anyone can use it.

Mint Street Park
Mint Street park can be reached from Southwark Bridge Road and Marshalsea Road. The outdoor gym is opposite the children's play area.

Southwark Park
You can also try an outdoor gym at Southwark Park, where it is located between China Hall Gates and the Cafe Gallery.

Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park
Our newest outdoor gym is at Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park next to the Sports Facility building.

Aylesbury Estate
The outdoor gym at the Aylesbury Estate can be accessed from either Thurlow Street or Portland Street. It is near the junction of Inville Road and Beaconsfield Road and you don't need to live on the Estate to use it.

Burgess Park
Burgess Park boasts two outdoor gyms. The first one can be found next to Albany Road at the junction with Canal Street. More recently a trail of gym equipment has been installed which begins in the southeast corner of the park, near the junction of St Georges Way and Sumner Road.

Lordship Lane Estate
The Lordship Lane Estate Tenants and Residents Association have agreed that anyone can use their outdoor gym. It is located behind Campbell Court, so if you enter the Estate from Dulwich Common you will find the gym on your left next to the Children's Play Centre.

Dulwich Park
Dulwich Park has a trail of gym equipment either side of the path that runs between Roseberry Gate entrance and Queen Mary's Gate.

Durand's Wharf
By the river at Durand's Wharf in Rotherhithe and has great views across the Thames.

Free Gym and Swim:

Southwark borough residents are now able to use the swim and gym facilities for free in six of the borough's leisure centres, operated by Everyone Active in partnership with Southwark Council.

Southwark residents and Southwark Council staff can apply by:

• Online by visiting www.everyoneactive.com/southwarkfreeswimandgym
• By visiting your local library to register online
• Visiting your local leisure centre to complete an application form if you do not have access to the internet.

How do I get my free swim and gym membership card?

If you apply online you will receive notification by email when your card will be available to collect from your local leisure centre.

Disabled Southwark Residents

If you are disabled and live in Southwark you can access free swim and gym facilities at all Southwark leisure centres 7 days a week.

Carers go free if accompanying a disabled person during swim and gym sessions. Follow the link above to apply.

Also see the 'Things to Do' section of the local offer for details of more activities.

If you, or someone you know, would like support around drug and / or alcohol use during the Covid-19 outbreak, please make contact with the council’s drug and alcohol treatment services for adults or young people.

Change, Grow, Live Southwark

Change, Grow, Live Southwark adult drug and alcohol treatment service is available to anyone aged 18 years and above who is living in Southwark.

Contact the service by:

• telephone on 020 3404 7699
• email on CGL.Southwark@cgl.org.uk; or
• visit the Change, Grow, Live Southwark website

Dear Albert - Alcohol Treatment Service

There are three different centres which offer support during alcohol detox in Southwark. One of the options is a residential treatment facility which provides harm reduction facilities, outpatient detoxification and structured counselling to any drinkers aged 16 or over. Inpatient treatment is provided by one of the centres, and they also have counselling and structured day programmes. The final centre in the area provides outpatient treatment, complementary therapies and structured counselling to over 18s.

For more information and referrals please visit the Dear Albert website by clicking here.

We unleash the power of children and young people to improve their lives and the lives of others through mutually beneficial relationships.

Our programmes are designed to develop crucial life skills, improve confidence and boost self-esteem through mentoring and positive psychology.

We target children and young people who are at a critical point in their lives and struggling with school - for whatever reason. Our programmes are designed so children and young people can get the most out of their education and reach their potential.

• 1:1 support to young people struggling with wellbeing, isolation, and engagement with school and learning.
• Empowered to identify challenges, construct a plan to overcome them, recognise strengths, contribute to their local community and be responsible for their futures.
• Peer mentoring and achieve accredited qualifications.
• Workshops focusing on employability skills, and external opportunities. 

For more information visit: Power2

Organisations and groups supoprting young people with issues relating to the LGTQIA+ community.

Free2B are an LGBTQI+ charity based in South-Central London working with LGBTQI+ Youth and their parents. Free2B run Youth groups, 1:1 support work, and a support groups for parents.
Phone: 07757 502 726
Email: hello@free2b.lgbt

Colours - a programme for LGBTQ+ young people that is part of Streatham Youth Community Trust, based in Streatham. Providing a range of services, Colours is a safe space for LGBTQ+ young people aged 11-19. They meet every Thursday 6-8pm for general youth club sessions, take part in creative workshops every few weeks, and go on trips.

ELOP: Youth Out East– ELOP is an LGBTQI+ support charity based in North East London. ELOP offer various in-person and online & Youth groups via their Youth Out East service.
Email: info@elop.org

Islington Mind: Outcome – Mind are a national mental health charity. The Islington branch of Mind have devised Outcome, a client-led LGBTQI+ project with a number of different social and peer support groups both in-person and online.
Email: outcome@islingtonmind.org.uk

London Friend – one of the longest standing LGBTQ+ charities in the UK, based in North Central London. London Friend run various support groups for people aged 16+, offer counselling, hate crime support, drug & alcohol support via their Antidote service, and more.

Wise Thoughts –  LGBTQI+ and BAME Arts Charity based in North London based in Wood Green.

The Proud Trust are an LGBTQI+ charity based in Manchester, but they have a nationwide “LGBTQ+ Youth Groups and Services Near Me” tool.

Mermaids – Support for Trans Youth and their loved ones (cis and Trans) with community groups in London  
Text Support: Text 'MERMAIDS' to 85258 – free, 24/7 support in partnership with Shout

Gendered Intelligence (G.I.) – Trans-led charity in London offering support to Trans Youth from Trans Support Workers. G.I. run many Youth groups, both online and in-person, in London and beyond.

Spectra – a health & wellbeing charity based in West Central London offering a number of peer-led Trans-specific support services to people aged 16+ including support groups, counselling, mentoring/advocacy, and sexual health.

Bridge@Southwark is a new service in partnership with CliniQ offering Trans-friendly GP services  to residents living in Southwark Borough, on the 1st Tuesday evening of each month. More info here:
https://twitter.com/TransActualUK/status/1628809028271841283
Email: ih.bridgeatsouthwark@nhs.net

LGBT HERO Forums provides a safe and non-judgmental space for LGBTIQ+ people to talk to one another about their issues and life experiences. You must be 16+ to use LGBT HERO Forums.

Imaan – a charity offering support and socials for LGBTQI+ Muslims

Services – Southwark LGBT Network