A single phone number is available for anyone in Somerset who needs Coronavirus-related support from their councils.

Free children’s activity packs from Purple Elephant Productions for families affected by the lockdown. For families on benefits or low income, have a child with additional needs, loss of job or a loved one, or if you have mental health issues including post-natal depression. Delivered to your door, no charge but donations to their just giving page are welcome.

Supporting your recovery after Covid-19. Helping you understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery.

Whether you are searching for your next job opportunity, starting a new career, working on your employability skills or just beginning your journey in the world of work, Step Up Somerset provides information and support to help you.

The Step Up Somerset website provides information on skills development, training, job opportunities, redundancy support, support for businesses and career progression.

As part of the project, one to one support will be available in all four of Somerset’s district council areas, where people will be able to get help and advice on looking for a job, writing or updating their CV, interview preparation, apprenticeships, and skills training.

Parkinson’s Uk have put together this information to support you and help you cope during the coronavirus crisis.  The downloadable booklet will give you answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

Local information booklet is available from the link below. Also –

Somerset Bereavement Support Partnership
Marie Curie Companions Service provide a one to one emotional and bereavement support for all. Additional specialist help will also be available if needed. Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm.

Citizens Advice in Mendip is taking phone calls during the Covid 19 time. Please call FREE 0800 27 87 842 or see their website.
HOUSING
Mendip Distict Council 0300 303 8588
Shelter 0808 800 4444
EMPLOYMENT
ACAS 0300 123 1100
DOMESTIC ABUSE AND VIOLENCE
SIDAS 0800 69 49 999

Mindline Somerset -24 hours a day, seven days a week emotional support helpline for coronavirus

The Help Hub has been set up to support individuals who find themselves with limited contact due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus. They are a group of trained therapists who aim to provide a free service for as many people as possible by listening, supporting and helping where they can. They are offering 20 minute telephone or video calls. Book an appointment by clicking on the URL below.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, at Re-engage have created a new service for older people called call companions. The call companions programme is aimed at people who are

·        75 or older, with sufficiently good hearing to take on regular phone conversations
·        living alone or in sheltered housing with little or no contact with family or friends
·        struggle to leave their house in normal times

To make a referral, please use our simple online form (URL below), but don’t forget to get the older person’s consent first. Once matched, a volunteer call companion will call the same older person between two and four times a month at a mutually agreed time for an informal chat. Calls will last for around 30 minutes.

Patient Transport Advice Centre on 01278 727444. If patient is on an enabling benefit they will be allocated a car with a volunteer driver under the Healthcare Travels Costs Scheme.

During the Covid-19 pandemic many people are relying on volunteers doing their shopping; the main supermarkets have launched shopping cards to make the payment process easier and safer for persons shielding. Also the Post Office has launched a new scheme for releasing cash from your bank. Please read below for details.

Post Office Payout Now scheme

The idea of this scheme is to allow people who are shielded or self-isolating to maintain access to cash without having to hand over a debit card and PIN to somebody else. The scheme is offered to all banks, building societies and credit unions. It enables anyone who cannot leave home to ask a trusted friend or volunteer to withdraw cash at any Post Office using a single-use voucher.

How it works

If your bank is part of the scheme, you can tell your bank exactly how much you want to withdraw from your account. If your bank allows it, you then can ask for a one-time bar code to be sent via text, email or post for a stipulated amount.  A trusted friend or volunteer can then exchange the voucher for the cash requested.

The link below takes you to the Post Office page relating to Payout Now; but first telephone your bank and ask them if they allow this scheme. https://www.postoffice.co.uk/post-office-payout​

Volunteer Shopping E-Cards

Most Volunteer Shopping Cards can be bought easily online and it can be emailed to the volunteer or printed out and left in a safe place for the volunteer to pick up. The volunteer then shops using the card, makes the payment using the bar code in store, and leaves the shopping in a safe place.

These cards are available from the following stores:

ASDA    https://cards.asda.com/volunteer

M&S      https://www.marksandspencer.com/all-in-this-together/p/p60282075

Waitrose (and John Lewis) https://johnlewisgiftcard.com/

Sainsburys          https://johnlewisgiftcard.com/

Morrisons           https://morrisons.cashstar.com/

Co-op                    https://www.coop.co.uk/coronavirus/updates-on-our-stores

You can purchase or top up a card from the Co-op by calling 0800 029 4592.

Due to the current situation with COVID-19 Positive People have taken the decision to cancel all face to face digital support. However, we are still very keen to offer as much support to our communities as we possibly can. We will be running a remote Digital Cafe when people can call for any digital support they need during this time.

If you would like any support call Mike on 07961 716329 or Suzi on 07961 716201. Every Tuesday, 10-12.​

Shopping service and telephone befriending during the coronavirus pandemic.

For help with your shopping please get in touch on the email address below and you will be matched with a volunteer who can help.

If you are interested in volunteering for Active and In Touch please get in touch via the email below.

There are lots of street based support networks in Frome.

Frome Town Council have a useful FAQ page on their website. Also see entries on Health Connections Mendip site for Active and In Touch (regular befriending calls) and Frome Community Cars.

Do you know someone who is self isolating? Perhaps they are elderly, vulnerable or considered ‘at risk’ during the current Coronavirus pandemic? Rally Round can help families, friends and neighbours co-ordinate practical support for those close to them. This site is soon going to have an option to coordinate a locality based network.

Please contact Cllr Mark Wilson for details of Beckington’s volunteers; each area has volunteers who can support with essential shopping, prescription collections and more. Please also see the Parish Council update on the link below.

Our group of volunteers are collecting food and other essential supplies, including prescriptions, making deliveries and running errands, Also, we have volunteers who would be glad to speak on the phone to any resident who would welcome a call.  NSP residents should get in touch with Ian Hasell; Farleigh Hungerford residents should make contact with Rex Eastment.

LiFERAFT is an organisation set up to support vulnerable people in the wider Freshford and Limpley Stoke communities through the provision of food, medicines and pastoral support.

For help with prescription collection, essential shopping, dog walking or daily telephone calls to support you during the pandemic, please call or email Mike Salmon on the number below.

Rode General Village stores are also offering free home delivery; please call 01373 830321.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

Helping Hands are a group of volunteers who are supporting people living in Whatley and Chantry, coordinated by Vivienne Pay. They are offering a range of support for shopping, telephone contact, prescriptions plus more. 

20 volunteers in the village. They offer shopping, dog walking, phone chats or distance chats, etc. for people in Witham Friary or just outside.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

Volunteer coordination for Holcombe & Coleford villages offering neighbourly support for shopping support , prescription collections etc:

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

Stoke St Michael Covid Mutual Aid Group, which consists of 60 volunteers, will help with prescription collections or essential shopping. Please contact via the email address or phone number provide below. For up to date information please check their FaceBook page; please see the link below.

For volunteer support from the Parish Councillors for shopping, prescription collection please call 07388 832260. This phone is manned on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday between 10.30 and 12.30.

Please note that this information is subject to change, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

Parish councillor and volunteer local support, contact Dave Mattick 01373 812734.

We can provide support to the residents of Corsley with basic food supplies, prescription collections or just a friendly phone call if needed. Phone us if you require help. Deliveries will be dropped off at your door. Prescriptions and food supplies will need paying for in advance.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

To make this more organised the Parish has been split into 6 areas, with co-ordinators for each. If you want to volunteer, or need immediate support, please contact your local co-ordinator. If you don’t have your local co-ordintator’s details you can call Joss and Sam Green-Armytage 01373 836880 who are the pub owners and are the hub for the village.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

Shopping, dog walking and prescription collections service for vulnerable people in Oakhill. Contact Cath Booth.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

The phone will be held by whoever is the administrator of the service that day who will hold the contact details for all the volunteers.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

Volunteer Help for people living in Doulting only – delivering supplies to vulnerable people and buddy telephone support. Contact Jan Crewe

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

Please call Parish Clerk Vickie Watts 07971 516916 to get support for your shopping, prescription collections etc.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

General support with shopping and prescriptions dropping off.

Please be aware that these details are subject to change daily due to the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic. Please do call Health connections on 01373 468368 if you notice anything that needs updating.

For support for vulnerable people in the Shepton Mallet area with shopping, posting mail, urgent supplies, please call Shepton Mallet Town Council on 0800 061 4089.

Evercreech has 15 volunteer co-ordinators covering different areas of the village to get essential groceries to vulnerable people. Please call Sam Wilson for your co-ordinator number- for Evercreech only.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic.Please do contact Health connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

Please contact Janet Johns on 07530 852418 for help with shopping, prescription collections etc.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic.Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

Volunteer support for Pilton & surrounds for essential supplies or a daily phonecall.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

If you would like help with shopping, prescription collections or just a friendly chat please call our Parish Councillors Kathy or Sonja on the numbers below.

Also, Wiltshire CC have launched a support line called Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub on 0300 003 4576.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

If you need assistance, please email glastonburycommunity@gmail.com or contact Tanya on 07912-074879. Also if you want to volunteer, please email.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

15 volunteers who can provide support to the residents of  Wanstrow and surrounding hamlets  with basic food supplies, prescription collections or just a friendly phone call if needed. Phone us if you require help.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

Support with shopping and prescriptions and tel contact. Ditcheat, Alhampton, Sutton and Wraxhall residents only.

Please use email address as the preferred first point of contact.

Please note this information is subject to change daily due to the coronavirus pandemic. Please call Health Connections Mendip on 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

Support with groceries and prescriptions. Stoney Stratton hamlet only

Please note this information is subject to change daily due to the current covid-19 pandemic. Please do call Health Connections on 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

Coronavirus support and co-ordination between the school and church communities cross the boundaries of these villages, so it is useful for all to share the same information and understand what is happening in all three villages and how everyone can support each other. This group is linked in with Westbury-Sub-Mendip Parish Council and will share information on the Facebook page wherever relevant. You can search for the group on Facebook under the name Westbury-Sub-Mendip, Easton and Priddy Good Neighbours.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

For help with food shopping and prescriptions through volunteers.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

If you need support from a volunteer please use the mobile numbers provided below

Volunteer support for people in the local community. Please call Millie on 07770 906193 but please note that mobile reception is patchy so it is best to call via Whatsapp if at all possible.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

Everyone in Meare & Westhay should have received a note with the name of someone they can call on who lives nearby if they are isolated due to Covid-19. Please note the form is the only thing that has been distributed and it will be someone who lives fairly close to you to try to reassure you. (Their full name, address and phone number will be on the note). Visit the website page below and look under the ‘News’ section for a list of all the volunteers helping in the local area. For any further advice call Teresa James on the number below.

Please note that this information is subject to change daily, given the nature of the rapidly changing situation with the Covid 19 pandemic. Please do contact Health Connections Mendip 01373 468368 if you notice anything out of date.

(Covid pandemic update- Frome community drivers are offering a free prescription deliver service for people in isolation as well as usual delivery services with extra safety measures in place)*

Frome Community Cars – Do you find it difficult to get to medical appointments, visit loved ones or get the things you need? If so, Frome Community Cars may be able to help. We have a network of local volunteer drivers who provide lifts within Frome and beyond. Contribution to cover costs is requested at £2 booking fee +60p per mile or 30p per mile if you have Somerset County council bus pass.

Do also get in touch if you’d like to become a friendly and reliable volunteer driver.