The Balsam Centre is truly a centre for the community, with a wide range of support, activities and groups available. Research into mental health clearly shows what a detrimental effect loneliness and isolation has on our health, and being more active, through exercise and socialising has long lasting beneficial effects. Throughout the year we have courses running such as computer classes and one-off workshops - we've just seen our first one-day photography course, and opportunities to meet other people through the Chat Cafe or the Games Club. The Men's Shed is the perfect chance to come and work on community projects - fixing planters or making owl boxes for the Hawk and Owl Trust, and now repairing the benches in Wincanton Recreation Ground. Citizens Advice Bureau offer free advice sessions at the centre, to help you with any legal or financial issues, along with one-off workshops run by CAB on best energy and financial deals. Keep your eyes on the website or for posters in the centre for what activities will be coming up soon. Like us on Facebook to get updates automatically.
GROUP CURRENTLY ON HOLD
Do you enjoy a challenge? The games group meets every Wednesday to play board and card games - you can even bring a game if we don't have it, or we will try and find it.
Wednesdays 10am to 12pm, £1
This is run by a friendly group who just love playing games. Come and enjoy the company!
Templecombe Soft Furnishings Class Learn how to sew and make cushions and curtains - Read more....
Art and Chatter Group - A paint /draw /chat group £3 per session - read more
Wellbeing groups across Somerset run various creative classes - Read more.
Exploring Drawing for Beginners and Intermediates - 12-week course starting in April - read more
Exploring Drawing for Absolute Beginners - 12-week course starting in April - read more
Craft & Art Club - 2nd & 4th Wednesday - read more
The Balsam Centre is here for everyone! It was set up to give people local access to social, health, cultural and practical opportunities - and that’s just what it does.
Alongside this, the Centre’s remit is to provide more specialist information, guidance and support at times when we don’t have all - or any of the answers. If you are finding it hard to cope and would like to talk to someone, you can contact us to see if our wellbeing service can help.
People who come say that they find the group both peaceful and motivating. The emphasis is on helping you to get away from it all, at a slower pace than usual, connecting with the natural world, learning new outdoor skills, and meeting new people, all within a safe space: Forest School for adults.
The group meets on Mondays and is led by Kate Hathaway and Nick Truman, who are both experienced outdoor practitioners.
If you feel this might be good for you and you haven't been referred to the project by one of your support workers or GP, please email us at ecotherapy@balsamcentre.org.uk and we'll reply to your query as soon as we can.
Once you have been referred or we have your first contact form, Kate or Nick will call, text or email you (whichever you prefer) to answer any questions and talk to you about the support you will need.
We are currently running our Winter Ecotherapy Programme. Read more about this here.
Stalbridge Cancer and Recovery Support are holding a new drop-in session at the Balsam Centre. If you are living with cancer, caring for someone with cancer, or are recovering from cancer, you can drop in for a cuppa and chat on the second Friday of every month between 2pm and 4pm
For more details about the group please see the SCARS website.
The benefits of mindfulness are proven to prevent depression reoccurring and reduce anxiety and worry, so if you are struggling or feeling overwhelmed these sessions can help.
The group is run by Sue, a very experienced teacher.
If you are interested in joining the group, please call the centre to talk to Ali or leave your number with Sarah and Ali will call you back.
The classes run on the first Wednesday of the month, 2pm - 3pm, but the first session will be on Wednesday 19th May, returning to the first Wednesday thereafter.
Don't just sit at home - come and enjoy craft, music, and other activities and meet new people.
Stimulate your senses and memories, singing, looking at photos, and share with others. This is a time for carers too, a chance to meet other carers for a catch-up.
The group is run by Trish and her volunteers.
Every Thursday, 2pm - 4pm.
Contact Trish Foers 01963 31842 or email TrishREMOVEREMOVEREMOVE@REMOVEBalsamCentreREMOVE.REMOVEorgREMOVE.REMOVEuk if you or someone you know would like to join. The numbers are limited and you may have to join a waiting list.
A range of courses are being hosted online which you can join where ever you are in Somerset, but there are also organised outdoor activities - walks and map reading courses.
To find out more about what Recovery Learning is and what you have to do to join a course, click on this link.
And click here to look at the Recovery College calendar to see what is coming up this month.
If you or a family member or friend are struggling to cope with a disability or illness, or need to find further information, Somerset Spark now has a website to help direct you to other areas of help. Click the logo link for more information
Every Thursday, 10.30am - 12 noon, in the Camelot Room at Milborne Port Village Hall, Springfield Rd.
Fee: £2 - including a cuppa, biscuits and activities.
We do a range of activities, which we can adjust to suit everyone’s ability, including arts & crafts, walking the local area, board games, keep fit, indoor curling and cooking.
We are a friendly group with a great mix of people who like a chat and a laugh when we meet.
Bring your own materials - whatever you want to work in!
The Women’s Shed is a group where women can pursue any project which interests them and is portable – sewing, crochet, drawing, embroidery, painting, genealogy, letter writing, whatever! The group is weekly but once a month Carolyn will do a demonstration on something seasonal.
Call 01963 31842 or email infoREMOVEREMOVEREMOVE@REMOVEBalsamCentreREMOVE.REMOVEorgREMOVE.REMOVEuk for more information and to book a place.
Run by Lu Jones, this is 2 hours of fun crafting and warm conversation. We will have a different activity for each session; if you have a particular skill you would like to share please do let me know and we can include that in our program.
The idea is to try different things. I am by no means a professional, just love crafting and this group is about getting out the house, meeting people and having some fun.
Some classes will be:
Card making
Needle felting
Decoupage
Wreath making
Etc etc etc
For more information and to book a place, email lujones73REMOVEREMOVEREMOVE@REMOVEicloudREMOVE.REMOVEcom.
A small, supportive, classroom-style course offered in partnership with Somerset Skills and Learning, with an emphasis on finding the joy of self-expression, through learning the foundation skills (or ABCs) of drawing.
The numbers in the class are limited, so you will need to enroll with Somerset Skills and Learning if you would like to join the course. If you qualify for a free place, the discount will be applied after enrolling.
Visit the Somerset Skills and Learning website for more information and to enrol on the course.
A small, supportive, classroom-style course offered in partnership with Somerset Skills and Learning, with an emphasis on finding the joy of self-expression, through learning the foundation skills (or ABCs) of drawing.
The numbers in the class are limited, so you will need to enroll with Somerset Skills and Learning if you would like to join the course. If you qualify for a free place, the discount will be applied after enrolling.
Visit the Somerset Skills and Learning website for more information and to enrole on the course.
This is a soft furnishing class - cushions, curtains and blinds. Beginners are very welcome; Julie, an experienced textiles teacher, will guide you though to making your first piece. Bring your own sewing machine if you have one. Places will be limited but if you are interested in joining the class, please email info@balsamcentre.org.uk or call 01963 31842
Abri delivers three dedicated employment and skills hubs that offer free tailored support to all South Somerset residents aged 16+, working with Abri, one of the south of England’s largest housing providers. These hubs are based in Chard and Yeovil Libraries and at the Balsam Centre.
The service is available to
• People who are currently unemployed and looking for work
• People who are looking to upskill or retrain
• People who want to change jobs
The service offers you
• FREE qualified employment advice to discuss your options
• Work on your CV and help to apply for local jobs
• Meet local businesses who are hiring
• Give you mentoring support
• Develop an action plan to get you into work
Contact Gill on 07900 260417 or gill.gillott@abri.co.uk for more information and to make an appointment
Good Stuff is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, together with local funding. Its intention is to bring people together and provide opportunities, here in Wincanton, to develop new skills, interests and increase community activity. We know that many people are going through difficult times and most activities provided through the project will be offered free of charge.
First of all, we want to hear from as many people as possible to understand what is important, and how with your help we can develop a shared community vision for Wincanton. So we would love to hear from you to understand what Good Stuff you would like to see happening here!
We have created a survey to find out what the community would like to see offered and you can access and complete it here.
Every Wednesdays, 10am - 12 noon
At The Balsam Centre
Do you have any questions about your computer devices, phones, laptops, tablets and even PCs? We will have some digital volunteers at the Balsam centre every Wednesday 10am till 12pm.
This is a free of charge service run by Spark Somerset. So for all your "How do I...?" questions on your digital devices come along and have a drink and a chat.
Drop in or call 01458 550 977 for more information.
Starting in Australia, Men's Sheds have now expanded worldwide. Many men found that once they retired they lost their social network so "Men in Sheds" started, bringing retired or unemployed men together to work on community projects and to socialise again. If you enjoy pottering about in your shed, or you'd like to work on a project - your own or a community project - with others, then come and meet the "shedders".
The group started early in 2014 and have already made new planters for the Growing Space (the gardens that surround the centre), a sieving tool, poster racks, hedgehog boxes, easels, and repaired some of our chairs. They have worked with the Hawk and Barn Owl Trust to produce Barn Owl boxes and are now making Little Owl boxes.
Having seen reports about the poor state of the park benches in Wincanton, the shedders have volunteered their services to restore and repair them, so this is set to be the next big project.
You don't have to be a carpenter to join; someone will help you out. But we won't turn you away if you are an expert either!
Tuesdays, 10am - 12.30pm
The shedders have now honed the design and building of the owl boxes to a fine art and now they are moving on to other woodworking projects. If you would like to get involved, come along!
If you would like to commission the shedders to build you something, then come and have a chat.
Bored? Lonely? Want to start a new project? Why not pop in for a cuppa with us, meet the "shedders" for a chat?
Come along on a Tuesday or Thursday morning, 10 - 12.30, and we can show you around - and tell you about our plans for expansion! Stand still long enough and we'll give you something to do!
We're a friendly group of men with skill leves from beginner to expert, who enjoy working with wood.
10am - 12.30pm BOOKING ESSENTIAL 01963 31842
This workshop is open to any woodworking projects. Maybe you have a project you didn't quite finish - here's the place you can complete it and get some friendly help and advice too. Or help us make planters or other items we can sell to raise money. We welcome all levels, from complete beginners to experts.
We are looking to run a workshop for men in the early stages of dementia who would like to join a small supportive group for some woodworking sessions with chat and coffee. If you are interested please call Jani 01963 31842.
All the proceeds go to a great cause - the Men's Shed! It helps us buy more wood and equipment.
And we take commissions!
From time to time we are very kindly donated tools - all much appreciated. And on occasion we are totally stumped as to what the tool actually is. So here's one of them - any guesses? Drop me an email - JaneupsallREMOVEREMOVEREMOVE@REMOVEBalsamCentreREMOVE.REMOVEorgREMOVE.REMOVEuk or call 01963 31842.
All the proceeds go to a great cause - the Men's Shed! It helps us buy more wood and equipment.
We take commissions - drop in on a Tuesday or Thursday morning and chat to Terry or Gordon.
Bookends £5 a pair
Painted Hobby Horse £10
Chopping Board £12
Whale Pencil Boxes £3
Decking Planters POA
Stool £10
Cake Stand £10
Bookends £5 a pair
Auricular Theatre £75
Trug £15
Triple Sparrow Box £20
Shelves £12
child's bench £25
Key Cupboard £15, Bookstand £5
Trug £15
We have had fantastic support to get the shed going. Dennis Massey, from the local Tools for Self Reliance group, gave us great advice on second hand tools and even travelled across England to collect an Ebay pillar drill for us. Sadly, Dennis has since passed away. Full of energy, he was a great inspiration and he will be greatly missed.
Through the Somerset Community Foundation, local furniture manufacturer, Myakka, have been very supportive, providing funds to allow the Men's Shed to purchase new tools including a woodturning lathe.
Triton Tools based in Yeovil have encouraged the Men's Shed movement in the UK (and Triton sponsor the Men's Sheds in Australia), and Steve Hewson has dropped in on our own shed to see the "shedders" in action, and donated new equipment to us.
We are very grateful for any support we can get. We would be very interested in sourcing wood for the shed to enable us to create new projects, so if your business has offcuts that aren't needed (apart from MDF), we would be able to put them to good use.
If you have a skilled workforce, would you be interested in donating time to us, perhaps by releasing an employee for a couple of hours a month? Call 01963 31842 or email infoREMOVEREMOVEREMOVE@REMOVEBalsamCentreREMOVE.REMOVEorgREMOVE.REMOVEuk to discuss it.
A Health Coach from Wincanton Health Centre comes every week and can help with emotional and bereavement support, weight management, dealing with isolation and loneliness, pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes support.
Newcomers always welcome
Call The Balsam Centre on 01963 31842 for more information.
We all know that regular exercise is good for us but sometimes it can be hard to get started, especially if you don’t fancy the gym or jogging. Walking improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, and reduces our risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as many other health conditions. Walking is beneficial for people experiencing depression, low mood and anxiety; it can improve self-esteem and of course help with weight management. And, walking in a group is very sociable!
We run regular walks for all abilities, from the complete beginner to the more experienced walker, led by trained walk leaders. They’re a great way to meet new people, enjoy local natural spaces and improve your health and wellbeing.
Everyone is welcome, and there is no charge for the walks but you can make a donation if you want to. This money goes towards the insurance, training and walk leaders’ kit.
Here’s a summary of the walks we offer:
Our weekly one-hour Short Walks start and end at The Balsam Centre. They’re reasonably brisk and may include some hills and rough ground - we are in Wincanton after all! We finish with a cuppa in the Café.
Our longer walks are suitable for people who are reasonably fit, enjoy walking in the countryside and want to find a group to walk with. They’re about 3.5 to 5 miles, or two hours, in length.
We also run Buggy Walks in the gardens of the beautiful Stourhead Estate, on level paths suitable for buggies. You can also bring babies in slings!
Beginning November 2023, the Amble is a weekly 30-minute stroll in Wincanton, ideal if you haven't done much walking before or perhaps don't get out of the house that often.
Call The Balsam Centre on 01963 31842. You’ll need to fill in a short registration form when you join the scheme. You can download the form and hand it in before you start your chosen walk.
If you are interested in becoming a health walk leader, we can offer you full training and the opportunity to lead as many walks as you would like. All walks have two walk leaders on them and a rota so you won't be leading a walk every week. The leaders for the long walks generally take responsibility for one walk a month, which also involves walking and checking the route prior to the date of the walk for any problems - overgrown rights of way, fallen trees, overflowing rivers, or stroppy cattle! Call us on 01963 31842 or email infoREMOVEREMOVEREMOVE@REMOVEbalsamcentreREMOVE.REMOVEorgREMOVE.REMOVEuk
Starts and ends at The Balsam Centre, Wincanton, Tuesday at 10am every week
These brisk one-hour walks aim to maintain or increase general fitness. The average walking pace is about 3mph but we offer walkers the option after approximately half an hour to walk back with a leader at a slower pace if they prefer. The walk follows pavements, paths and tracks around Wincanton and the surrounding fields and includes some inclines. Book to join the walk, and meet at 9.45am on the ramp outside the door.
Usually once a week, meeting at 10am. The walk day varies each week; download the brochure to find out more.
For experienced walkers and fit novices, these walks are typically between 3.5 and 5.5 miles long. They start in more remote locations outside of Wincanton, so a car - or a lift - is necessary. These walks will often include stiles, hills, muddy tracks and uneven ground; if you have walking poles you might find it useful to bring them. The views are often stunning so you might want to bring a camera too. Occasionally, walks will end by a pub and the group will eat lunch together but this is optional.
Many of our walk leaders are very knowledgeable about the local area and will be able to tell you about the villages you pass though. In the summer we like to go further afield and hire a coach to take us longer walk where we can enjoy a picnic.
If you are interested in joining this friendly walking group, please drop into the centre to register. Booking is essential so we can let you know if the walk has to be changed or cancelled due to bad weather. For more information, call 01963 31842.
Every second and fourth Thursday of the month. Meet our walk leaders outside the visitors centre at 9:30am for a prompt start at 10:00am - registering is essential
This walk through the gardens at Stourhead is available for parents/carers with children under 5 years of age living within a 10-mile radius of The Balsam Centre. Due to the popularity of this group, there is a limit of 14 walkers on the walk, so we run on a first-come-first-served basis. Register for a pass before your first walk and book for each walk via the Stourhead Buggy & Sling Walks Facebook group. The pass (one per adult) will give you free entry and parking when you join our organised walks, so don’t forget to bring it with you. Toddlers are welcome and if appropriate, we can offer a shorter route to facilitate small, tired legs.
The walk will take approximately 1.5 hours. Once the walk has finished, you are welcome to use the café outside the visitors centre but not permitted to re-enter the gardens.
A full risk assessment is in place; however parent/carers are responsible for the supervision and safety of their own child at all times.
Please join our Stourhead Buggy & Sling Walks Facebook group for walk updates.
"I am writing to tell you how much I appreciate Terri's buggy walk at Stourhead. It is so important that mums and babies/tots can get together, exercise, have fresh air, and experience congenial, peaceful surroundings whilst sharing their experiences and concerns, helping each other to cope with the day-to-day pressures of modern families, and have a well deserved break. - JB
Walk leaders are essential to make these walks happen. They are fully trained volunteers who enjoy being outside and socialising with others. If you are interested in volunteering as a walk leader, call 01963 31842. You can bring your child with you when you lead a walk.
Meet at River Cale Cafe (BA9 9ED), Thursday at 10am every week
The Amble is a slow-paced, short walk (under 30 minutes) on level, stable ground, making it ideal if you haven't done much walking before, or perhaps don't get out of the house that often. With plenty of benches along the way, you can stop as often as you need to.
If you’d like to come but can’t easily get to Cale Park, you can book the CAT Bus to collect you and drop you back home again at the end of the walk. Call 01963 31842 for further information.
The benefits of keeping fit are well documented, from the obvious keeping in shape, increased heart function and stamina, to the rewards of better mental agility. We offer various ways of getting started; there's an Exercise to Mobilise class to help you regain strength and mobility after a joint replacement or other operation. We have various lengths of walks from beginner's strolls to advanced hikes. And although Karen's Pilates is ending, we hope to have other fitness classes on offer soon.
If you are a qualified fitness instructor looking to run a class, talk to us about hiring a room - The Shed makes a fantastic exercise space!
A new yoga class starting at The Balsam Centre!
Suitable for all levels
Flow - Stretch - Breathe
Wednesdays 4pm - 5pm. Booking essential
Cost: £10 for a single class, or pay £35 for 4 weeks.
To book contact Sorrel 07795182235 yoga@sorreldelahey.com
A Pilates class suitable for ALL fitness levels. Louise will provide modifications, adaptations and progressions suitable for all abilities.
Build strength, balance, flexibility and increase mobility in a friendly, safe and supportive environment.
Tuesdays 9.30am - 10.30am.
Thursdays 9.30am - 10.30am and 11.00am -12.00pm.
Booking essential.
Cost: £10 for a single class, or pay £40 for 5 classes.
To book email louisejking@yahoo.co.uk or call 07779 712305
£2.50 per session - all welcome! Booking essential!
Every Tuesday 11.00am to 12.00 noon in the Veronica Room
Every Monday, 10am - 12.30pm in Milborne Port Village Hall
Contact 01963 31842 or Claire on 07916 681602 for more information
The Balsam Centre is an independent charity set up by local people for local people.
Whilst the work of the Centre is long term, funding for its projects and services is all too frequently short term.
It is largely thanks to help from a fund created by a legacy left by one person, that the Balsam Centre has been able to continue its mental health work over the last few years. The help that this has given hundreds of people is a permanent and living memorial to that person’s generosity.
If you are thinking of donating, have you considered becoming a Friend of the Balsam Centre? This is a commitment to regular giving of any amount, at any interval, by standing order, and even better, if you are a UK tax payer and you ‘tick’ to say so, we can claim another 25% on top of your donation to support the work of the Centre. Become a Friend here!
We have signed up to be a part of Give As You Live where you can raise money for us - just by shopping online in your normal way! All you have to do is click on the link, choose your charity - The Balsam Centre - and then create an account.
The site will ask for your name, email address and a password. You can choose your favourite shops, or just use their search bar to find the product you are looking for. When you buy in this way, the retailer will donate an amount to us, and you can see exactly what you have donated. This is a great way for people who would like to support us to do so whilst doing their normal online shopping! All the big retailers are there, Amazon, Ebay, supermarkets, and department stores. Happy Shopping! And thank you for supporting us!!
We have a Wonderful.org charity page where you can donate directly to The Balsam Centre, and Wonderful will collect the tax for us! Just click on the logo and you will be taken to the page for donations to Wincanton Community Venture, the official name for The Balsam Centre charity.
It is largely thanks to help from a fund created by a legacy left by one person, that the Balsam Centre has been able to continue its mental health work over the last few years. The help that this has given hundreds of people is a permanent and living memorial to that person’s generosity. A legacy to the Balsam Centre is also one of the simplest ways that you can help the practical work of the Centre.
This website was designed in-house by Netty. Photos by Oscar Yoosefinejad, Netty, Tina, Catherine and Nick.
