Living and feeling better can start with a simple step-connecting. Health Connections Mendip is provided by your Mendip GP practices to improve your health and wellbeing.
Do you have a child or young person with additional needs?
The Pod host over a relaxed online space for you to meet other parents who might be in a similar situation, the session runs monthly and you can talk about challenges, share ideas for activities and support.
Please contact The Pod for more information.
Carer support for anyone living in the Bath or North East Somerset; their support line is open on weekdays 8.15 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Somerset Social Care and Support for Adults Guide explores the entire social care journey.
The online guide includes information on paying for care, finding the right care home, specialist care or help for carers
The social care guide also gives you a list of care providers in Somerset, so whether you’re looking for a nursing home for dad in Frome, or a home care service for mum in Taunton Deane, this health and social care directory can help you. Follow the website link below to the e-book.
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
Are you a young carer? If you’re aged between 10 and 18 then please come along to the Zone and meet new friends who are in the same boat!
Wednesdays 6.00pm-8.00p.m. Fortnightly at Rise, Whittox Lane, Frome, BA11 3BY .
Please contact us to discuss a place as places are limited.
Each town in Mendip 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.
For more information on becoming a Dementia Friend please contact Peter Hillman on the number below.
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.
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.
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.
*Covid 19 pandemic update – running daily Covid secure sessions* (updated Dec 2020)
Day opportunities for older people, with health issues. 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 weekday and the last Saturday of each month from 10.00am to 2.30pm, refreshments and lunch are available at a cost of £20 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
*Covid 19 Pandemic update – this group is currently not running* (updated December 2020)
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.
If you need advice, please call the Somerset Alzheimers Society on the number below or the Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456
Monday – Wednesday: 9:00am – 8:00pm
Thursday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
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. Legion beneficiaries can be either the person with dementia or the carer.
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
Parkinsons, their families and carers. The group is part of the Taunton and Mid Somerset Branch. For details, please see our volunteer-run website. Group last Thursday of each month Time 7.30pm Contact Beth Maddock for details of where group is being held.
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.
The service supports young carers under the age of 18. It can answer questions and give advice to young people on anything they need to know. They can:
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
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.
Crispin Community Center, Leigh Road, Street BA16 0HA. Second Monday of each month between 10.30a.m and 12 pm. Activities include demonstration, outings and local speakers for the carer.
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. 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. We provide a hospital liaison service. Our project Making Headway matches volunteers with clients.
*During covid we are supporting clients using zoom meetings, phone calls and activity packs until our normal services resume*
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.
*Covid 19 pandemic update – this service is currently not running* updated December 2020
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.
If you need advice, please call the Somerset Alzheimers Society on the number below or the Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456
Monday – Wednesday: 9:00am – 8:00pm
Thursday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm