Local Support and Activity Groups in Chiltern and Dacorum
🌿 Get Involved in Chiltern & Dacorum!
From social clubs to wellbeing support, there’s something for everyone. Whether you want to stay active, meet new people, or explore the outdoors, check out these fantastic local activities and groups.
✨ Community & Connection
🎨 Arts & Craft Class
🗓 Thursdays | 🕧 12:30–14:00
📍 St Mary’s Church Apsley, London Road, HP3 9ST
A relaxed, creative space for ages 16+ to work on crafts, meet others, and enjoy good company.
🔗 Click here for more information
🖌 Life Drawing Session
🗓 Last Friday of each month | 🕥 10:30–13:00
📍 Boxmoor Trust Centre, London Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2RE
Friendly, model-led class — bring your own materials. All skill levels welcome.
🔗 Click here for more information
🧵 Craft Social (Fortnightly)
🗓 Every two weeks | 🕕 18:00–21:00
📍 Anna’s Funky Art, Market Oak Lane, HP3 8JL
A vibrant community gathering for painting, stitching, journaling — plus snacks and good conversation.
🔗 Click here for more information
☕ Local Community Coffee Mornings
Whelpley Hill Village Hall Coffee Morning
🗓 Last Friday of each month | 🕙 10:00–12:30
📍 Whelpley Hill Village Hall, HP5
Enjoy refreshments and a warm rural get-together. Everyone is welcome!
Chaulden Community Centre Coffee Morning
🗓 First Friday of each month | 🕚 11:00–13:00
📍 Chaulden Community Centre, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2HX
Community-led coffee and conversation - a relaxed way to start your Friday.
☕ Tea & Friends
🗓 First Tuesday of each month | 🕑 14:00–15:30
📍 Liberty Tea Rooms & Community Hub, Bank Court, HP1 1BS
A welcoming meet-up over a cuppa — friendly faces guaranteed.
🔗 Click here for more information
🚶♀️ Wellbeing Walks
Accompanied Walks – Heritage, Nature & Companionship
📍 Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Chalfont St Giles
🐕 Dogs welcome on leads
Guided strolls (or buggy rides) through 45 acres of parkland, gardens, and historic buildings — followed by tea and friendly conversation.
Perfect for:
Those experiencing bereavement, social isolation, or sight loss
Adults with support needs or unpaid carers
Anyone needing a gentle nudge to enjoy the outdoors again
🧡 Awarded Best Local Social Prescribing Project (2022)
📩 Register or refer: 🌐Click here
🌼 Summer Wellbeing Socials (May–June)
An uplifting 8-week creative programme for older adults experiencing isolation, anxiety, or mild depression. Each session includes:
A hands-on activity (craft, storytelling, music)
A delicious afternoon tea in serene museum grounds
💬 Why it’s special:
Supports fine motor skills, cognition, and social connection
Guests may bring a carer, friend, or family member
Held among wildflowers, heritage buildings & open gardens
📧 Contact Jacqui: outreach@coam.org.uk | 🌐 Click here
🚶 Ramblers Wellbeing Walks (Dacorum & Surrounds)
🗓 Various dates & times
📍 Multiple meeting points across Dacorum
Free, friendly, guided walks for all ages and abilities. A great way to stay active and meet new people.
🔗 Click here to find your local group
🧠 Mental Health & Wellbeing Support
Whether you're looking for emotional support, social connection, or practical help — there's something here for you:
💚 Mental Health Services:
Herts Mind Network
Peer support, counselling, group activities, and a crisis helpline (18+)
Weekly peer-support groups for over 65s experiencing low mood, loneliness, or mental health challenges. Friendly sessions based on connection, creativity, and conversation.
📞 01494 463364
Togetherall
A free, anonymous online mental health support community for Hertfordshire residents aged 16+
Samaritans
24/7 confidential support for anyone struggling to cope
📞 Call: 116 123
Healthy Hubs Hertfordshire
A one-stop shop for local health, wellbeing services, and advice
NHS HPFT – Single Point of Access (SPA)
Urgent mental health support and referrals
📞 Call: 0800 6444 101 (24/7 helpline)
🧡 Looking for Social Connection?
Buckinghamshire Council’s Age Well initiative supports older adults to stay active, connected, and mentally well.
🌐 buckinghamshire.gov.uk/age-well
👥 Regular Support & Activity Groups in Chiltern
| Date (or approximate) | Event / Activity | Details / Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing / Regular | Chiltern Society – Free Guided Walks Programme | Twice-weekly guided walks (about 5-6 miles each, ~2½ hours) throughout the year. Good for regular gentle activity, countryside access, socialising and fresh air. Chiltern Society |
| Ongoing / Regular | Chilterns Chalk Streams Project | A gentle strolls along chalk-stream valley (near Amersham Old Town), led by experienced birders — ideal for anyone interested in nature, fresh air, and easy walking. Free to join. Eventbrite |
| Anytime — self-guided or group walk | Multiple shorter / easier walks in Chilterns countryside | The Chilterns offer a variety of short, gentle walking-friendly routes (e.g. riverside or woodland walks on easily-navigable paths) for those wanting a lighter stroll rather than a full hike. Chilterns National Landscape |
| Every Tuesday 7:30pm-8:30pm | Latin and Ballroom Adult Dancing | Email to make an enquiry and book: pips@pipsdanceacademy.co.uk Classes are Every Tuesday at: Chalfont St Peter Infant School, Lovel End, SL9 9PB |
| Fortnightly 11am Fridays | Singing group for those living with memory loss and/or dementia | Fun and friendly singing sessions for those living with memory loss and/or dementia, and those caring for them. Give it a try! You will be most welcome. Venue: The Members Room, Chalfont St Peter Community Centre, Gravel Hill, Chalfont St Peter, SL9 9QX. For further information please contact 01753917241. |
👥 Regular Support & Activity Groups in Dacorum
| Frequency / Notes | Group / Activity | Details / Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly or regular | Dacorum Community Dance – “Let’s Dance” sessions for over-55s | Creative dance classes (seated or standing), suitable for older adults — good for mobility, social wellbeing and fun. Runs across the borough including sheltered housing schemes. Dacorum Community |
| Ongoing / many sub-groups | U3A Dacorum | An umbrella for many interest-based groups: walking, music, art, history, social clubs, etc., across Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Tring and more — great for retired/semi-retired people seeking community & variety. u3adacorum.org |
| Monthly or regular lunch-club | Age UK Dacorum – “Senior Souper Club” (Berkhamsted) | Monthly midday lunch club: nutritious homemade soup, social setting, occasional cookery demos — ideal for older residents wanting regular social & nutritional support. Age UK |
| Weekly (Tuesdays) | Age UK Dacorum – “COGs” memory-support / social club | For older people (especially with memory problems) or carers: structured activity sessions, socialising, light meals/ refreshments — good for memory support and companionship. Age UK |
| Saturday club (some locations) | Age UK Dacorum – Saturday “COGs” club | Similar memory-support / social club, once per week (Saturday), giving flexibility for those not free on weekdays. Age UK |
| Day-centre & drop-in services | The Centre in the Park (Hemel Hempstead) | Day-centre for elderly / older adults: lunch, games, gentle exercise or activities, social time, support — useful for those seeking regular daytime social contact. thecentreinthepark.org.uk |
| Transport & outing support (when needed) | Community Action Dacorum – Community Transport & Day-Trippers Club | For older or less mobile adults: transport services, door-to-store, outing trips, community cars / wheelchair-accessible vehicles — helps maintain independence and connection. Community Action Dacorum |