Off the Record

Off the Record Bristol (OTR) is a mental health social movement by and for young people aged 11-25 across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

OTRs provides mental health support and info to young people, and all services are free, confidential and self-referral, helping to combat mental and emotional health needs such as depression, anxiety, self-harm, OCD and body image.

OTR works in schools, colleges, universities and youth clubs to promote good mental health and provide tips and tricks to nurture positive wellbeing.


One of OTR’s projects is The Resilience Lab, a stress-busting group workshop which shares guidance on how to deal with life’s ups and downs, and this sits alongside other offers including Nature Works (horticulture-based drop-in groups in an allotment space), Corner Man (a collaboration with boxing gym Empire), and informal groups such as Yoga and Book Club.

OTR also provides specialist support for anyone identifying as LGBTQ+ (Freedom), experiencing self-harm (hARMED), or issues around body image (Shameless).

OTR sees mental health much like physical health – it needs to be looked after and maintained. Young people can sign up for OTR’s various projects online at otrbristol.org.uk, or drop-in to one of OTR’s Hubs – an informal space to learn more about what OTR does and how to look after mental health.

OTR (otrbristol.org.uk)