Health

and Wellbeing

History Club

History club meet twice weekly for free talks and discussions on a historical topic relevant to our collections, buildings, or other local history interests. Attendees are provided with complimentary refreshments and a sense of community.

We host a monthly LGBTQ+ history group, which follows a similar structure with talks, films and discussions alongside skills building, with particular focus on the curation of museum collections.

We cover topics about our collections and buildings as well as more broadly around Southend.

For more information please email Museums@southend.gov.uk

Hideous Histories of Health Series

Our award winning series Hideous Histories of Health supported by Public Health partners such as Everyone Health and Health for Life, covers topics ranging from dental hygiene, immunisation, diets and nutrition and sexual health, presenting them in a historical context.

In 2025, the team won an award for this series for raising awareness of anti-microbial resistance.

For more information please email Museums@southend.gov.uk

Gardening Club

Southend Museums gardening club meet monthly on the third Sunday of each month in Central Museum's wellbeing garden. This gives a chance to socialise with like-minded people, as well as getting out of the house and enjoying gentle exercise through the act of gardening.

All tools and equipment are provided, as well as refreshments.

For more information please email Museums@southend.gov.uk

Lookback Cinema

Lookback Cinema runs monthly on the third Sunday of each month in the Beecroft Art Gallery Lecture Theatre. This group is aimed at people living with Alzheimer's and Dementia, as well as their carers. Films are shown of people and places around Southend and the wider Essex area from the past.

For more information please email Museums@southend.gov.uk

You Are Welcome Series

Our 'You Are Welcome' series is aimed at small local groups in our community who may feel unwelcome or excluded from museum sites, in an attempt to show them that everyone is free to visit and enjoy our spaces.

Each group is offered a tour of all four of our museum sites as well as a Planetarium show for free, with the aim of breaking down barriers and inviting new groups to our spaces.

Groups we have worked with thus far are Welcome to the UK, SAVS, and the One Love Project. If you are interested please contact us at Museums@southend.gov.uk

And many more...

We run a range of other groups, sessions, talks and tours with a focus on health and wellbeing on both a one off and longer term basis. This includes cycling groups, walking groups, Local Pride visits to places around Southend, as well as crafts and talks for all ages.

For more information please email Museums@southend.gov.uk