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.
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.
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.
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 exists to support individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) and their families.
Headway Somerset is with you to 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.
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.
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.
Love to Move is a fun, age & dementia friendly seated movement to music programme, providing a welcoming & relaxed space for people living with dementia, memory loss & their Carers. Open to anyone, this weekly group provides physical & cognitive benefits designed to keep you moving.
Please come along & join in for companionship, meeting new people, relaxing & enjoying spending time with the person you care for. Plus enjoy a nice free cuppa & chat.
Tuesdays 10:30 to 13:00 (11:00 start) at The Art Bank – 13 High Street – Shepton Mallet – BA4 5AD
Cost: £6 for participants & Carer, or £5 for individuals. For more info please contact Carrie
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!
3rd Wednesday of each month, 2pm to 3.30pm at the 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.
JAMM – ‘Just a Monday meet up’ for parents who have children / young people with additional needs. The Pod host a relaxed wellbeing space for parents to chat, enjoy grown up craft activities and complimentary wellbeing treatments.
The session runs monthly and you can talk about challenges, share ideas for activities and support. Please contact the Pod for upcoming dates which are also published on social media.
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.
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: