The 'AA for social anxiety'. Find a new group to join if you're new, else book into your regular or practice group meetings here.  

WalkTheTalk

👋 **Welcome! We're a group of friendly people from all walks of life looking to overcome social anxiety.**

We offer a weekly drop-in session where you can meet others living with social anxiety, get help with struggling moments, stay motivated and accountable in cognitive therapy and practice socialising in a safe space.

***"The best thing I do for anxiety"*** *WalkTheTalk attendee*

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**Important note**: this is not a crisis service. We're only able to offer peer support for social anxiety and it's no substitute for professional support. Should you feel unable to keep yourself safe at any point please call NHS 111, the Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258. Please call 999 in an emergency situation. *[Mind have prepared some online resources](https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/) too.*

**Additional note:** given the nature of social anxiety, we're happy for anyone who RSVPs to join the session anonymously. If you do this, please consider sending the host (Tom) a message with:

* The name and phone number of someone we can call if you experience an emergency or crisis in the session, and
* Your first name (so we could tell your trusted contact who we’re calling about if we called them) - we’ll keep you anonymous in the group.

We'll only contact them if we really need to, and by sharing their contact details you’re agreeing that 1) you’ve asked their permission and 2) you’re happy for us to contact them on your behalf. If you prefer not to give us a trusted contact, please make your own arrangements for supporting your safety and wellbeing while in the group, e.g. by having someone else around or available for you to call.

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💪 **We combine peer support with a process**

We combine the power of social connections and follow a process outside of the group grounded in science (Cognitive Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder, or CT-SAD - what's used clinically in the NHS, only it's our own group-flavoured take on it, along with other things we find helpful).

When you join we'll give you lots of free resources to try it yourself and follow along. The aim is that over time you feel confident to can gradually face life and grow bigger than your anxiety.

***"I felt empowered after speaking today"*** *WalkTheTalk attendee*

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😊 **Your host and what to expect**

I'm Tom, the organiser (and anxiety sufferer), and I created this group as something I wish I had when I was in the darker days of my anxiety. Through lots of trial, error and practice I'm a lot more confident than I was. We've had hundreds of people join us over the past couple of years and have witnessed many incredible journeys of our members growing.

If you'd like to just listen in to start with, that's fine!

***"I felt like I'd accomplished something"*** *WalkTheTalk attendee*

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🤔 **Frequently asked questions**

**What stage are people at in their journey? Can I join at any time?**
You can join at any stage of your journey with social anxiety. You can return as often as is helpful.

Be patient and kind to yourself; there is no rush, and your group is there to support, motivate and encourage you.

It is important to resist comparing yourself to others (easier said than done!) and instead focus on your own progress against where you were.

**I feel anxious joining. Do I need to speak or even have my camera on?**
By nature, many of our members are nervous the first time they join. You’re not alone and it’s fine to feel that way and to go at your own pace. Many of us started that way. Our groups are safe spaces made up of people in the same position.

You don’t have to speak at first, you can just listen in, and if you join an online group, you can even start with your camera off.

**What happens at my first meeting?**
When you arrive at your first session, listen in and introduce yourself if you feel up to it. There is no pressure to talk, but you may find that it is helpful to vocalise your feelings in a safe environment. We’ve all been where you are.

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📜 **What are the house rules?**

* **Commit to the full time.** This shows that you are committed to supporting others and being supported yourself.
* **No confidential information.** This is a safe space for everyone, and we want to protect everyone’s confidentiality.
* **Be respectful to one another.** This means being kind, compassionate and supportive. It also means avoiding offensive language or behaviour.
* **No offensive material.** This includes anything that is sexually suggestive, violent, discriminatory or triggering.
* **Keep it anonymous and no sharing meeting content.** This helps to protect everyone’s privacy and confidentiality.
* **Adults only.** Peer groups are for adults over the age of 18 only.

Tuesday Regular Drop-In Group ❤️

**👋**
**Welcome! Are you looking for a safe and understanding community to help you overcome social anxiety?**

After several years running weekly peer sessions, this listing is for our Monday evening cohort, starting July 2024.

We’ve had hundreds of attendees and have distilled a process that people find useful to help overcome social anxiety - early clinical data we've collected is showing that 90% of attendees see a reduction in social anxiety after 3 sessions.

We meet every two weeks online (with some new faces occasionally joining) and over the weeks will form bonds, motivate and support each other to gradually face your social anxiety fears.

**😌**
**This is a free service with no catch**. We're run by volunteers who have used WalkTheTalk to help overcome social anxiety themselves.

***"The best thing I do for anxiety"*** *attendee*

Average 4.8/5 rating (187 reviews) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

**👀**
**Important: only RSVP if you're able to commit to join us every two weeks on Monday at 8pm.**

The power and friendships within our peer support groups are the result of consistently attending meetings.

**💭**
**Can I join this meeting if I've not been before?**
You're welcome to join as a new member. Expect to receive a message from Tom welcoming you to the group and to be introduced at your first session.

We're a new group, so you'll be joining others who are right at the beginning of their journey.

Note: although priority is given to to returning members, you'll be first on the list for our next new group when it launches.

***"I felt empowered after speaking today"*** *WalkTheTalk attendee*

💪
**We combine peer support with a process**

We combine the power of social connections and follow a process outside of the group grounded in science ('CT-SAD' - what's used in the NHS, only it's our own group-flavoured take on it, along with other things we find helpful).

The aim is that over time you feel confident to can gradually face life and grow bigger than your anxiety.

***"I felt like I'd accomplished something"*** *WalkTheTalk attendee*

😊
**Your host**

I'm Tom, the organiser (and anxiety sufferer), and I created this group as something I wish I had when I was in the darker days of my anxiety.

Through lots of trial, error and practice I'm a lot more confident than I was.

We've had hundreds of people join us over the past few years and have witnessed many incredible journeys of our members growing.

**ℹ️**
**Important info: is this for me?**
Before you RSVP we ask that you check the 2 suitability criteria below:

**1\. That this is the right service for you\.**
WalkTheTalk is not a crisis service. We’re only able to offer peer support for social anxiety and it’s no substitute for professional support.

This isn’t the right group for you if you:

* Have severe depression or bipolar disorder
* Have a personality disorder
* Have experienced psychosis

There are many other groups and services better placed for you. A list can be found on the [Hub of Hope website](https://hubofhope.co.uk/). Should you feel unable to keep yourself safe at any point please call NHS 111, the Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258. Please call 999 in an emergency situation. [*Mind have prepared some online resources](https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/) too.

**2\. That you're happy to commit to our peer support code\.**

* **Commit to the full time and to as many sessions as you can.** This shows that you are committed to supporting others and being supported yourself.
* **No confidential information.** This is a safe space for everyone, and we want to protect everyone’s confidentiality.
* **Be respectful to one another.** This means being kind, compassionate and supportive.
* **No offensive material.** This includes anything that is sexually suggestive, violent, discriminatory or triggering.
* **Keep it anonymous and no posting meeting content on social media.** This helps to protect everyone’s privacy and confidentiality.
* **Adults** over the age of 18 only.

**Additional note:** given the nature of social anxiety, we're happy for anyone who RSVPs to join the session anonymously. If you do this, please consider sending the host (Tom) a message with the name and phone number of someone we can call if you experience an emergency or crisis in the session. We'll only contact them if we really need to. If you prefer not to give us a trusted contact, please make your own arrangements for supporting your safety and wellbeing while in the group, e.g. by having someone else around or available for you to call.

WalkTheTalk

Events

Tuesday Regular Drop-In Group ❤️

Monday Regular Social Anxiety Support Group 💜

Tuesday Regular Drop-In Group ❤️

Tuesday Regular Drop-In Group ❤️

Monday Regular Social Anxiety Support Group 💜

Tuesday Regular Drop-In Group ❤️

Tuesday Regular Drop-In Group ❤️

Monday Regular Social Anxiety Support Group 💜

Tuesday Regular Drop-In Group ❤️

Tuesday Regular Drop-In Group ❤️

Monday Regular Social Anxiety Support Group 💜

Tuesday Regular Drop-In Group ❤️

Tuesday Regular Drop-In Group ❤️

Monday Regular Social Anxiety Support Group 💜

Tuesday Regular Drop-In Group ❤️