How to start a Be Well hub

Become a Be Well Hub in your community

Be Well hubs are spaces rooted in local communities. They are led by people who know and understand the challenges their neighbours face.

Hubs are often based in schools, faith centres, cafés, libraries or voluntary organisations. They bring people together, reduce isolation, and give residents practical ways to improve wellbeing.

Why we need you

Too many people struggle alone with their mental health. Services are stretched, and stigma can stop people reaching out.

Be Well hubs create safe, welcoming spaces where people can talk, feel listened to, and get connected to the right help early.

What you’ll get as a hub leader

From day one, you’ll have access to:

  • Training in mental health awareness, listening skills, safeguarding, and community organising

  • Coaching and mentoring from experienced leaders

  • Action plan templates to help you shape your work

  • Practical resources like signposting sheets for local services

  • Networks of Be Well leaders across your borough and south London

How to set up a hub

  1. Connect with the Be Well team to register your interest - please email  bewell.admin@citizensuk.org or contact Lynne.Miller@slam.nhs.uk

  2. Identify potential Champions in your community

  3. Take part in the Be Well training, and make sure at least 2 people from your team are trained

  4. Create a local action plan together

  5. Start your hub activities — these can be small to begin with, such as coffee mornings, parent groups, or drop-in sessions

  • Being part of the Greenwich Be Well Progamme has had a deeply positive impact on me personally and on CureComm as a grassroots organisation. It gave me the space to explore new ideas, receive valuable suggestions, and gain the support I needed to grow as a community leader. I have felt genuinely connected with others, experts and key services.

    Cure Com
    —Shade, Be Well leader

  • I have to say the programme has gone above my expectations. I love being part of the Lambeth Be Well network and linking up with others to share challenges and solutions. As well feel part of something bigger. I really appreciate how South London Listens and Citizens have been able to identify both my organisational and my own development needs, and then put the right support in place. This support has been truly transformational for me, and been pivotal to not only my own wellbeing but also the on-going success of my charity.

    I am in Me
    —Sasha, Be Well leader

  • The Be Well team (Citizens UK and South London Listens) has helped our staff, pupils and parents/carers greatly. We now have a clear action plan for mental health and wellbeing. Being part of this community has enabled our staff to access free training including trauma informed approaches. The team have helped us adopt a growth mindset ensuring we always work on the next steps for our schools to be a positive place, where pupils, staff and parents/carers can thrive.

    Plumcroft

  • I think that community settings are a perfect place for de-stigmatising mental health - this Be Well value really resonates with me and I think that every day settings (such as libraries), in which a range of local professionals and services can provide support, in a safe and familiar setting, is great. We are bringing the conversation around mental health into everyday life (and therefore helping to normalise that kind of conversation), rather than it having to be a big, scary thing that you need to go to a specific health setting to access

    Sutton
    —Sutton Be Well Champion

Examples of hubs in action

CureComm - The Live Life Project (Greenwich)

Born during the pandemic, CureComm created a safe space for men facing isolation, grief and poor health.

Now extended to women, the project offers workshops, mentoring and peer support, and works with NHS partners to bring expert help into the community.

I AM IN ME (Lambeth)

Founded by Sasha Gay Smith, I Am In Me supports young people aged 14–25, especially those at risk of exclusion.

With a small team and 50 volunteers, they build life skills, confidence and future opportunities.

Through Be Well, Sasha has gained mentoring and networks that have strengthened both her charity and her leadership.

Sutton multi-partnership hub (Sutton)

In Sutton, Be Well training brought together the council, library, health services and local charities to support parents and carers. The hub now runs wellbeing advice sessions in everyday spaces like libraries, helping families with issues from housing to domestic abuse.

Metronome Be Well Café (Morden)

Metronome Café is more than a coffee shop. The team hosts groups from young carers to dementia support, and every staff member has had Be Well mental health training. This mix of community space and skilled listening is creating real social connection in Morden.

Plumcroft Primary School (Greenwich)

Plumcroft has embedded Be Well into school life. Staff, pupils and parents have trained in mental health awareness and community organising.

From Year 6 Wellbeing Ambassadors to parent champions, the school is showing how a whole-community approach can improve wellbeing.

Training calendar