This Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 (9-15 February), Mindworks Surrey is raising awareness of free local groups where young people can go for support, connection and a safe place to be themselves.
The groups are provided by Mindworks Surrey partners. They are designed to support mental wellbeing for young people, and require no referral, diagnosis or appointment. They offer relaxed, welcoming spaces for young people to meet others their age, talk if they want to, take part in activities, and get support from trusted youth workers - all at no cost.
A social media push featuring young people talking about the “fun, encouraging and relaxing” groups and encouraging others to take part launches today, Monday 9 February. You can watch the videos on the Mindworks website.
Mindworks Surrey is the local emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people across Surrey. It is led by our trust, working with NHS and voluntary sector partners.
Lucy Ivankovic, Mindworks Partnership Operations Director, said: “We know that feeling safe, supported and included makes a real difference to young people’s emotional wellbeing. These free groups are available without a referral and offer fantastic spaces for young people to connect to their peers, be themselves and feel heard.”
Jude Crome, CEO of Mindworks partner, Leatherhead Youth Project, which runs several groups for young people, said: “Giving young people access to safe spaces doesn’t just benefit them physically, it is essential for their mental health too. They create emotional safety, a sense of belonging, offer opportunities for healthy relationships as well as a supportive environment to develop the young person’s sense of self”.
Bfree Youth Cafés, run by Leatherhead Youth Project (part of Mindworks Surrey)
A safe, positive space for young people to meet friends, enjoy activities and games, run by youth workers from Leatherhead Youth project. Open every day during term time from 3:15–6:15pm for local young people aged 11-17.
Location: All Saints Church, Kingston Road, Leatherhead, KT22 7BT
The Hideaway Café, run by Matrix (part of Mindworks Surrey)
A friendly after-school drop-in, open to any young person aged 11-18 and is free. Young people can take advantage of discounted food and drink, relax with friends or chat to a Youth Worker. All young people are welcomed and accepted.an afterschool drop-in, a safe and positive space for young people to meet friends, enjoy activities & games, and get to know our youth workers. This group is held in Guildford in Surrey for young people aged between 11 and 18 years old.
Location: Allen House Gardens, Guildford
WAVES, run by YMCA East Surrey (part of Mindworks Surrey)
A term-time drop-in youth club for young people aged between 11-17. In this informal setting, young people can talk about their mental health and explore different coping strategies. The clubs take place at locations across Surrey, please visit the Mindworks website for more details.
LGBTQ+ Youth groups
This group is a safe spaces young people aged 11-18 who identify as LGBTQ+ or questioning to ask questions, support, discussions, activities and to make new friends. It is also open to young people with Special Educational Needs aged up to 24.
More information on all the groups is on the Mindworks Surrey website.