Local Support Groups

A Place to Be Community Café

This is a friendly community café for people living with dementia and their carers. It is held every Friday from 2pm to 4pm at St Mark’s Church, Church Road, Purley, Surrey, CR8 3QQ and costs £2. For more information, please contact: placetobestmarks@gmail.com

Active Minds 

This is a free online and in-person activity sessions for anyone experiencing mental health issues. Activities include yoga, gardening, mindfulness, jogging, badminton, zumba and much more. You can refer yourself via the online form on their website or find out more here.alth issues. Activities include yoga, gardening, mindfulness, jogging, badminton, zumba and much more. You can refer yourself via the online form on their website or find out more here.

The Bereavement Journey 

The Bereavement Journey is a series of 7 sessions of films and discussion for anyone, whether grieving a death now, or wanting to explore a previous bereavement that may be unresolved.  This course is for bereaved adults to do their own grief work.  It is supported by a Guest Manual and facilitated by volunteers. Everyone is welcome, although it is usually most beneficial to attend at least a few weeks after the death – ideally after the funeral, but this is not essential and The Bereavement Journey can benefit those in anticipatory grief, pregnancy loss or the long-term effects of loss. To find out more, or to book your place, please go to: https://www.emmanuelcroydon.org.uk/courses/

Carers Support Group 

This group provides help and support for people caring for someone affected by mental health. They meet every Wednesday from 5.30pm - 7pm at Mind in Croydon, 26 Pampisford Road, Purley, CR8 2NE. If you would like more information or would like to attend, please call 020 8688 1210 or email carers.support@mindincroydon.org.uk

Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea Screening

Approximately 1 in every 14 young people under 25 have chlamydia. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea often have no symptoms and if left un-treated can lead to serious long-term health complications. If you are aged between 15 and 24, you can order a free, quick and confidential test kit from www.youngandfree.org.uk or click here for further information.

Dementia Cafe 

The Dementia Cafe is a friendly cafe for people living with dementia. They offer tea, coffee and cakes, as well as yoga and coping skills. They meet on the first Tuesday of every month from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the Coulsdon Methodist Church, 83 Brighton Road, Coulsdon, CR5 2BE.

Healthy Homes 

Healthy Homes is a an energy advice service that offers 2 free online workshops to Croydon residents who are on a low income. For more information and to register, please visit www.croydon.gov.uk/energyevents.

Help for those Helping Others

Figures show that 1 in 8 adults in Croydon is a carer. If you are looking after a relative, friend or neighbour who is elderly, ill or disabled, the Croydon Carers Centre is there to support you. The charity is free to join and they provide advice on benefits, day trips, counselling and support. To find out more call 020 8688 7219.

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 HENRY

The HENRY programme is for parents or carers of children aged 0 to 7 years old. The 8 week programme covers parenting confidence, physical activity for little ones, what children and families eat, family lifestyle habits and enjoying life as a family. To find out more, please click here for their leaflet or go online to www.henry.org.uk/croydon.

Knit & Stitch Group 

This group meets on the last Thursday of every month from 10am to 12pm at Purley Library, Banstead Road, Purley, CR8 3YH. All abilities and beginners are welcome at the friendly group. To find out more, please email purleylibrary@croydon.gov.uk.

LEAP 

LEAP is a free energy and money saving service that can help you to save money and keep your home warm and cosy. To find out if you are eligible for help via this scheme, please download their leaflet.

Linedancing 

There are weekly linedancing sessions for fitness and fun at Old Lodge Lane Baptist Church, Reedham Park Avenue, Purley, CR8 4BQ. Sessions are run weeklly at 1pm on Tuesdays and are suitable for all ages and experience.

Men 

This is a friendly, social group for men who might be bored or fed up of being stuck indoors. The group meets every other Thursday from 10.30am to 12.30pm at The Heath Room, Old Coulsdon Congregational Church, Coulsdon Road, Old Coulsdon, CR5 1EH. To find out more, please phone 07871 702 429.

Move it or Lose It! 

These are exercise classes to help maintain and improve flexibility, aerobic health, balance and strength. Classes run weekly on Mondays from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at All Saints Church Hall, Onslow Gardens, Sanderstead, CR2 9AB. Please contact steph.upton@moveitorloseit.co.uk for further information.

Never Alone 

This is a new drop in facility for people coming to terms with bereavement, run by Rowland Brothers. They meet every Thursday from 10am to 2pm in the Foyer Cafe, at Purley Baptist Church, Banstead Road, Purley, CR8 3EA. Light refreshments are available.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALs)

PALs is a service which provides 'on the spot advice', help and support for patients and their relatives. The service is free and confidential and can help if you have a query or concern about treatment or care at Croydon University Hospital or Purley Hospital. You can contact PALs on 020 8401 3210 or via email at pals@croydonhealth.nhs.uk 

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 Say 'No' to Domestic Violence

At least 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence in their lifetime and between 1 in 8 and 1 in 10 women experience it annually. If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can access support via the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or via the Family Justice Centre Helpline on 020 8688 0100.

South East Cancer Help Centre

SECHC aims to support any person affected by cancer (patients, their carers and close relatives) by the provision of confidential individual and group support, complementary therapies and information within a friendly and caring environment. 

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Supporting children who experience Social and Communication Difficulties

If your child has been identified as having social and communication difficulties, there is an 8 week course that will provide practical advice and strategies. Please click here to find out more information. If you are interested in attending the course and receiving support from the team, please contact the course facilitator - Alex Dimond at croydonscd@nas.org.uk

Terrence Higgins Trust

The Terrence Higgins Trust offers a range free counselling and group courses for people in South London who are affected or infected by HIV, including:

• Free counselling services for anyone affected by HIV (this could be someone who is HIV+, their partners, family members or friends)
• Free Newly Diagnosed Groups for people who have been diagnosed with HIV in the last few years covering topics such as treatment, disclosure, transmission and impact of diagnosis
• An emotional support group called Maisha Mema for African people affected by HIV. This group helps people to learn to deal with anxiety, depression, family issues and relationships.
• Free online counselling service for peple living with HIV. Clients can self register at www.myhiv.org.uk

To find out more about any of these services or to make an appointment, please call 020 7812 1777 or email info.counselling@tht.org.uk.

Walking Cricket 

Walking Cricket is a slower version of the game suitable for over 55s. It's a great opportunity to get fit, play as part of a team, socialise and chat over a tea/coffee afterwards. Sessions are held every Monday from 10am to 11.30am at The Cricket Centre, Plough Lane, Wallington, SM6 8JQ and cost £5. For more information, please click here.

Walking Football 

Walking Football is designed for the less mobile. The sessions are led by a qualified football coach and are a great opportunity to get fit. Sessions are held every Friday from 10.30am to 11.30am at The Cricket Centre, Plough Lane, Wallington, SM6 8JQ and cost £5. For more information, please click here.

Walking Netball  

Walking Netball is a slower version of the game for over 55s. It's a great opportunity to play sport as part of a team and to meet friendly people and socialise. Sessions are held every Wednesday from 10.15am to 11.30am at The Cricket Centre, Plough Lane, Wallington, SM6 8JQ and cost £5. For more information, please click here.

Women and Girls Network 

The Women and Girls Network offers confidential emotional support to women aged 14+ who have been affected by any form of sexual violence at any point during their life. You can access their support helpline as a one-off , every now and then or on an on-going basis. Please click here for further information.

Yoga 

Yoga sessions for those on low incomes are available at the Old Lodge Lane Baptist Church, Reedham Park Avenue, Purley, CR8 4BQ. Sessions are run weekly and cost £3. Please click here to find out more.