Each town in Mendip now has its own Dementia Action Alliance. The aim of an Alliance is to bring together individuals, groups and organisations who are committed to improving health and social care outcomes for people living with dementia, and those who care for them. This means working in partnership with people who have dementia so that they feel included and empowered. Dementia Action Alliances organise basic dementia friends training for local communities, helping to remove the barriers that stop people with dementia and their supporters from participating in community life. Alliances can also promote activities that have the potential to reduce the risk of people developing dementia, including regular exercise, changes to diet, drinking in moderation and engaging in social activities and hobbies.

They are running sessions to develop more Dementia Friends in Shepton Mallet:

When & Where

Friday 14^th December                            2.30pm to 3.30pm

Saturday 15^th December                        12 noon to 1pm

@ Shepton Library, 2 Market Place, Shepton Mallet BA4 5AZ

 Monday 17^th December                          6pm to 7pm

@ St. Cecilia Nursing Home, 1 Hitchen Lane, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5TZ

 2019

Tuesday 8^th January                                6pm to 7pm

@ Salvation Army, 21 Commercial Road, Shepton Mallet BA4 5BU

Tuesday 15^th January                              noon to 1pm

@ Shepton Library, 2 Market Place, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AZ

Tuesday 15^th January                                       6pm to 7pm

@ St. Cecilia Nursing Home, 1 Hitchen Lane, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5TZ

For more information or to reserve a place please contact Peter Hillman

 Mobile: 07970 665036

You can also find details of your local Alliance via their website (see below).

The Card enables a disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them when they visit a participating cinema. The Card is also one way for cinemas to make sure they look after their disabled guests. If you require an adjustment to visit a cinema because of your disability, cinema staff should make them for you whether you have a CEA Card or not.

Providing help and support and can also provide grants for carers needs at home.

Seated movement with music for people living with Dementia and those who care for them.

Every Monday 10.30 to 12.00 MOXON SUITE, Frome Community Hospital, BA11 2FH. £3.50 including refreshments (carers come free) For more information please contact Soo or Jenny.

Please check initially that the course is being held at the Moxon Suite for your first visit as it may be subject to change on a couple of occasions.

A stimulating social activity designed to promote confidence and enhance the well being of those affected by memory problems. The structured group sessions are for people with dementia and their carers designed around the principles of music therapy and singing.

The Moxon Suite, Frome Hospital, Frome. Fortnightly Wednesdays 2 -4. Sept 13th 2017 – Dec fortnightly.

From Jan 2018 sessions will run weekly Wed 2-4pm.

For information and dates please contact Health Connections Mendip. Free

Jointly is an app that makes caring for someone a little easier, less stressful and a lot more organised by making communication and coordination between those who share the care as easy as a text message. It can be accessed by laptop, smart phone or desktop computer.

The Bridge, Priory Park, Glastonbury Road, Wells BA5 1TJ – 4th Wednesday of the month 1.30pm-3pm.

If you or someone you know are worried about or affected by dementia, we are here for you. You can speak to friendly experts on our helpline. We have information to help you understand dementia and what to expect, and practical advice and support to help you to live as well as possible with the condition.

Health Connectors are based in all the GP practices in Mendip. We can help you in a number of ways. We can work with you on a one to one basis – we listen to what is important to you and work with you on issues that you feel are areas that you would like support with. We can link you with services and organisations, help you manage long term conditions, help you meet new people, join groups or set goals that might improve your health and wellbeing. We can also help you set up new groups if it is needed in your area. We see people in GP practices or in your home if you are housebound. As well as linking you to groups/services we also run groups such as Talking Cafes, Pain Management Programmes and On Track Goal Setting Groups.

Aims to help prevent social isolation and give carers a break. We can help you do just that through interesting talks, activities, outings as well as being able to guide you to appropriate services to make your life easier.  We have groups for older people at the Lawrence Centre, 37 Chamberlain Street, Wells, BA5 2PQ. Our groups meet every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 3pm, refreshments and lunch are available at a small cost of £12 per day.  If you would like more information, please contact Maggie Charlesworth.

Carers of people with mental health problems (this includes dementia) who are registered as a patient/client with Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust can request a carers’ assessment and access specialist carers’ services and ongoing support provided by the Trust.

This service supports unpaid carers and family members to ensure that they feel valued and supported, empowering them to begin to take control of their lives. We provide a comprehensive range of services for carers which include Carers Assessment Workers, Carers Employment Support Officer, Carers Education Courses, Carers Support Groups, Carers Website, Carers Newsletter, Carers Info Packs, Carers Participation Group, Information and Advice about Carers Breaks and Carers emergency cards. Carers can be referred or self-refer for a Carers Assessment providing the person that they support is registered with Somerset Partnership. Contact – Caroline Mead, The Bridge, Glastonbury Road, Wells, BA5 1TJ

Cafe Connect is a friendly, informal support group for people with Dementia and memory loss and their carers. Run in partnership between Alzheimer’s Society, Somerset Partnership and Health Connections Mendip. Frome Second Thursday of every monthly (not on in August) at Frome Medical Practice. 10.30-12 noon. Contact Health Connections Mendip for further details but do just turn up and join us for a chat and a cup of tea/coffee.

The Memory Cafe is an informal environment where people with dementia and their carers can meet other people in the same position and get peer support; they can access information about dementia, practical tips about living with dementia and an opportunity for social networking. Crispin Centre, 1 Leigh Road, Street.  Fourth Wednesday of every month, 2pm-4pm for details contact Jaquie Punter at Alzheimer’s Society.

The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support for the Armed Forces community – serving men and women, veterans, and their families. This includes Admiral Nurses, Care Homes and Holiday Breaks. Please note that Legion beneficiaries can be either the person with dementia or the carer.

Support for people with dementia or their carers who have been in the Armed Forces: The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support for the Armed Forces community – serving men and women, veterans, and their families. This includes Admiral Nurses, Care Homes and Holiday Breaks. Please note that Legion beneficiaries can be either the person with dementia or the carer.

1) Admiral Nurses – The Legion works with Dementia UK to provide Admiral Nurses – a service that supports the carers of our beneficiaries who have dementia. The focus of the service is to maintain independence and improve the quality of life for carers and families and to provide the practical advice they need. WHAT DO ADMIRAL NURSES OFFER? Our Admiral Nurses have the experience to facilitate the service every step of the way. Currently operating in Somerset, Admiral Nurses offer:

• Skilled assessments to determine the needs of family carers and the needs of the person with dementia
• Information and practical advice for carers and their families on supporting those with dementia
• To work with carers and families to provide emotional and psychological support throughout the caring journey
• Advice on how to care for someone with dementia and help to develop skills to encourage positive approaches to living with dementia
• To work together with other professionals and organisations to provide additional support if you need it.

2) Royal British Legion  Care Homes with specialist dementia wings for long term residency or respite care.

3) Royal British Legion holiday breaks at one of our Break Centres around the country for rest and relaxation for carers.

Break Centres available around the country for rest and relaxation for carers.

 Marie Curie helper service support people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support to help them get the most from the time they have left as well as support for the carers.

Carers is a group of carers and former carers who raise funds to support unpaid carers who are in crisis and are living in East Somerset. A carer is someone who is unpaid and who looks after and supports a relative, partner, friend or neighbour. Carers can be of any age. Our objectives are organising fund-raising events, providing funding for carers in crisis, providing funding for carers’ days at nominated events, organising events for carers during Carers Week and raising awareness of the needs of carers in our local area. Contact us for more information or to get involved.

with specialist dementia wings for long term residency or respite care.

Community Council for Somerset provide a carers support service that is available to all unpaid carers, whether you care for a few hours or provide a substantial amount. They give good quality local information, emotional support and practical advice to help you in your caring role. They also work closely with the other specialist carer support networks. This service is to support you as a carer. It does not replace assessed care and support provided by the local authority.

In Somerset there is a Young Carers Project that exists to provide support, advice and respite breaks for children and young people aged 8 – 18 who have substantial caring responsibilities at home. This could be a parent, grandparent, brother, sister or other relative. Care may be needed for the relative because they have a • A disability• Poor physical health• Poor mental health• An addiction to alcohol or other substances.  You need a referral to use this service and Somerset Direct is the first port of call.

Frome and District Carers Group meet the first Wednesday of each month at Frome Cricket Club, Rodden Road, Frome BA11 2AH , 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Street Parish Rooms, 6 Leigh Road, Street BA16 0HZ.  Second Monday of each month between 10.30a.m  and 12 pm. Activities include demonstration, outings and local speakers.

Wells Fire Station Community Room Burcott Road,WELLS, BA5 2EF  1st Tuesday of each month between 10.30 am and 12.00pm:  Contact Debbie Hall at Compass Carers

This support group is for  ADHD, Autism, Aspergers, Eating Disorders, Emotional Behaviour Problems etc.

We meet the 2nd Monday of every month, at The Redbrick Building, Morland Enterprise Park, Morland Road, Glastonbury BA6 9FT  10:00am-12:00 noon, Call Ally Pomeroy to check first.

We are a group of people who have all been concerned or affected by someone else’s use of drugs or alcohol. We meet monthly – 1st Saturday of each month. UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, High Street, Glastonbury BA6 9DZ  Monday 10am – 7pm Thursday 10am – 7pm. Meeting Time: 9.30-10am – drop in and coffee. 10am – 1pm group and workshop. Check before you go.

Ammerdown Conference and Retreat Centre, Ammerdown Park, Radstock BA3 5SW. Activity days designed for those who care for others so that they themselves can be nurtured and refreshed within peaceful and welcome surroundings. Experience a session of complementary therapy such as Indian Head Massage, Reiki, Reflexology or Aromatherapy Massage, creative arts and crafts for fun, inspiring workshops and delicious home-cooked lunch. Cost £23 Includes, coffee, lunch and afternoon tea, one therapy session and all workshops, prior booking is essential. Dates for 2018 are February 6th, April 3rd, June 26th, July 31st and September 11th. Please contact us to book a place.

We are a unique organisation helping Somerset residents to live as independent a life as possible after brain injury. While promoting a wider understanding of all aspects of brain injury and provide information, support and services for people with brain injury, we also assist in accessing and signposting to other services. Not least is helping with sometimes much needed respite care for family and carers. We provide social and cognitive rehabilitation for adults with brain injury and support and respite for their families through our three Brain Injury Outreach Units based in Bridgwater, Henton and Yeovil.

If you or someone you care about has had a stroke, our Somerset based service can provide practical advice, essential information and emotional support. The service is free to people of any age recovering from stroke, their carers and family members. Either you or your carer, health or social care workers or GP can refer you to the service. We visit people wherever they may be such as their own home, hospitals or care homes.

This peer led support group is for people who have been affected by a stroke and their family/carers. We meet the Last Thursday of every month 10.30-12 noon at Frome Medical Practice. For more information see contact details below.

A stimulating social activity designed to promote confidence and enhance the well being of those affected by memory problems. The structured group sessions are for people with dementia and their carers designed around the principles of music therapy and singing.

Seager Hall, Union Street, Wells.  Second Monday of every month, 2pm-4pm.