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.
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.
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.
Boccia is an inclusive game for disabled people, older people and their carers. It is similar to bowls but easier to play. Hosted by Key-Ring and run by Nova Sport & Coaching. Every other Thursday 1:30pm-2:30pm at the Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Justice Lane, Frome BA11 1BE.
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.
CHS provides a free and independent service that can help you find the right care home, live-in or domiciliary care package.
Experienced specialists will help to find suitable care for each individual family. The service they provide is completely free and impartial. Please contact their Somerset team as below.
The service is for people who will be self-funding, rather than those who are eligible for funding through their local council.
Glastonbury Carers Group meet on the third Monday of each month at Saint John’s Church, High St, Glastonbury BA6 9DR from 10.30am to 12 noon
The carers group takes place in the church alongside other activities including Talking Cafe, Tai Chi, poetry group and Art as Therapy.
A social opportunity to meet with other carers in an informal environment for tea and support.
Tuesday TBC of the month, 10.30am to 12 noon at The Art Bank, 13 High St, Shepton Mallet BA4 5AD
For more information contact Cath on the number below.
There are two Carers’ Groups that meet in Wells.
Bishop’s Palace meeting room near the cafe on 2nd Friday of the month, 11am to 12.30pm
The Swan Hotel, Sadler Street, BA5 2RX on 4th Wednesday of the month, 10am to 11.30am
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.
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.
Run by Heads Up Connect, these groups provide opportunities to connect with other carers and find out information over a cuppa.
4th Wednesday of the month, 10am to 11.30pm at The Swan Hotel, Wells BA5 2RX.
Other groups run at The Bishop’s Palace, Wells and Heads Up’s centre in South Horrington. There is a new carers group in Glastonbury above Burns the Bread, on the high Street, on 3 March 2022. The groups are run by Heads Up Connect.
The Good Heart Cafe are hosting a series of ‘Dying Matters’ evenings to listen, connect and share personal experiences around dying, grief and loss. These evenings will be held the second Thursday of every month. Hosted by Neil Croom and The Good Heart team, we will be creating a safe and welcoming space to share and listen to each others’ experiences of grief in all its forms. Tea and biscuits will be provided. 7.30pm start. FREE. 7 Palmer Street, Frome BA11 1DS
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.
Headway Somerset supports individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) and their families. They offer: Information, Practical Advice, A listening ear and time to talk, Specialist services to aid your recovery – including Rehabilitation Centres, one to one support in the community as well as relatives support groups and a volunteer Buddy project to help you link with your community and your interests.
Talking Café held in Haskins Café- Shepton Mallet 10-11:30 on the third Thursday of the month. For anyone looking for information , who has a personal experience, supports someone or is a professional with questions. All welcome, no need to book.
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, Healthy Lifestyles and Pain Management Programmes.
The HOPE Programme is a free self-management course designed to empower individuals to discover their strengths and find new ways to cope with whatever life throws at them. Supported by trained facilitators, people will be able to meet others in the same situation and learn new skills that will help them on their journey to feeling better and more hopeful.
Independent Age can provide you and your family with clear, free and impartial advice on the issues that matter: care and support, money and benefits, health and mobility.
You can call their Helpline, listed below, Monday – Friday: 8.30am – 6.30pm (closed on bank holidays). You can also email your query to the address below.
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.
Based in central Wells, Somerset, The Lawrence Centre is a community-centred charity providing day opportunities for older people, including those living with health issues and memory loss.
Our mission is to provide an accessible and enjoyable environment for our members to relax, socialise, enjoy activities and support, every weekday and one Saturday per month. Refreshments and lunch are provided. The cost (correct at time of publishing) is £20 per day.
Lawrence Centre, 37 Chamberlain Street, Wells, BA5 2PQ.
A relaxed drop-in for people with memory problems and their carers / family. Come along for companionship, information & advice, occasional talks, fun activities – and a cuppa!
When: 3rd Wednesday of each month, 2pm to 3.30pm
Where: Methodist Church Hall, Southover Wells, BA5 1UG
RBL have six care homes across the UK for Armed Forces community and their families, five have with specialist dementia care.
In association with the Alzheimer’s Society UK. Come and join our friendly singing group, Wednesday mornings 11:15-12:45 at the Seager Hall, Union Street, Wells BA5 2PU. £5 per person to include refreshments.
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 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.
A fun filled singing group, for people with Dementia, Memory Loss and their carers.
Tuesdays – 1:30pm-3:00pm at Masonic Hall, North Parade, Frome, BA11 1AU
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.
Are you a young carer? If you’re aged between 8 and 16 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.
We Hear You (WHY) provide a range of services including free, professional counselling for anyone impacted by cancer or a life-threatening condition, including Covid-19. The service is available to children, young people and adults across Mendip, Somerset and Wiltshire.
We Hear You (WHY) also run Walk and Talks, WHY Be Mindful courses, WHY Outdoors Nature Connections and The Coffee Connection in Frome.
For more information please visit their website below.