Social wellness sessions for women could help you find your ‘team’

A new series of social wellness sessions for women will begin in May as part of Chelmsford City Council’s On Your Team initiative. 

Running throughout the summer, the weekly sessions aim to combat loneliness and improve mental health by helping local people explore new hobbies, while creating connections and forging friendships. On Your Team is great for women who are new to the area or missing the sense of community and support that female friendship brings.

What to expect from On Your Team

On Your Team has been providing free social sessions for both men and women since 2023. Previous attendees have reported that having a regular, weekly commitment had a positive impact on their mental health and many have continued to meet socially after sessions conclude.

The latest round of On Your Team for women will take place on Tuesdays at 7pm, from 5 May until 14 July, at Cornerstone Café on Rainsford Road in the city centre. The café is close to Chelmsford bus and railway stations, and free parking is available right outside.

Activities will include painting and candle making, as well as meditation and relaxation sessions.

Most sessions will last for one hour, but a few will be 90-minutes. Activities will change each week, with a mixture of arts and crafts sessions and physical wellbeing practices. Each session is designed to get you ‘out of your head’ and into the present moment, with the chance to connect to yourself and with the people around you.

What’s new for this series?

This series of sessions has been planned by Community Safety Officer, Michelle Fautley, who has scheduled a diverse mix of activities, in hopes attendees will find a new hobby they wish to continue beyond the series:

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“Earlier this year I ran an On Your Team series in Beaulieu and we got some really positive feedback from attendees, so I’ve been sure to bring back their favourites, including painting sessions with Nicola and Qi-Gong practice with Helen. We’ll also be trying out bracelet making, candle making and chair yoga. I wanted to keep things varied, to give everyone the chance to find what works for them.

“Another new activity I’m excited for is bollard painting! As part of the city’s Concrete Canvas event, the ladies will be trying their hand at street art, painting some nearby bollards. On Your Team and Concrete Canvas are both rooted in community and celebrating connections with the spaces and people around us, so it feels like a perfect collaboration!”

Michelle Fautley, Community Safety Officer, Chelmsford City Council

The 11-session schedule includes painting, bracelet making, candle making, Qigong and chair yoga/relaxation.

Why On Your Team works

The Safer Chelmsford Partnership created On Your Team to bring together local residents who are looking for a new outlet or hobby and the chance to meet new people. The sessions help people build connections in a relaxed environment and are designed with those who could benefit from emotional support and advice in mind.

Many previous On Your Team participants still see each other socially.

On Your Team organisers are available to offer support, and members are encouraged to ask for and offer support to their new teammates, too – but there is no expectation for participants to share personal information. Instead, the sessions present an opportunity to build connections and create a support system of your own, all while trying new activities and getting creative.

The sessions are free to attend, but you do need to register for a place.

How to sign up

To sign up, visit the On Your Team website and follow the link under ‘how to register’. Once you express your interest, you’ll receive an email from Michelle with more information.

More On Your Team for women sessions are currently running at South Woodham Ferrers and On Your Team for men sessions are being held at Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre on Thursday evenings. You can find more information here.