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.
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.
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.
A dementia support service which provides one-to-one support to people with dementia, carers and family members. The service is unique to their personal circumstances and needs. The dementia support service may provide individuals with information and practical support to help them understand more about dementia, cope with day to day living with dementia and prepare for the future.
The dementia support workers aim to help people feel less isolated, and feel supported to maintain their independence, make choices and take control of their life by:
The service can also take calls from people worried about their memory and support to get a diagnosis.
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.
Where: St Philip & St James Church, Norton St Philip.
When: 3rd Monday of every month 2.30pm – 4.00pm
No charge, donations appreciated. For further information, please contact Jo Robinson.
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 seated movement to music program providing physical, emotional and cognitive benefits designed to get older people, especially people living with dementia to move more and have fun. This group helps carers have a bit of fun with their partners or friends who are living with dementia outside of their home environment.
Mondays 10am – 11.15am at Housing21, Douglas Yates Court, Coleford, BA3 5PD
Tuesdays 11am – 12.15pm at The Art Bank, 13 High Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AA
**Please note that this group will not run during June 2023**
£4 person and £1 for assisting carers.
Frome Dementia Action Alliance Memory Café. The Alliance is made up of different charities and organisations in Frome who help people with Dementia. For anyone affected by dementia. No charges.
When: last Wednesday of every month from 2pm -5pm
Where: Masonic Hall on North Parade, Frome, BA11 1AU
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
Music 2 Connect run a free monthly music & singing therapy session for people living with memory problems, dementia and their carers. Held monthly on the third Friday of the month at The Salvation Army Hall, 21 Commercial Rd, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BU.
Please arrive at 1:45 pm for a 2pm start, tea & coffee are provided.
For more information or to let them know you would like to attend please contact Judi on the number below.
Research has shown that listening to a personal playlist can improve the lives of those living with dementia. Use this website to create a personal playlist to share songs and memories with family, friends and carers.
Reconnect provides housing related floating support to older people with dementia or memory problems. The support is delivered within their own homes, to assist clients to develop or maintain their independence and quality of life. The nature of the support may cover housing issues, safety in the home, budgeting, benefits, life skills and improving social networks. This service is offered free of charge to eligible people living in Somerset.
RBL have six care homes across the UK for Armed Forces community and their families, five have with specialist dementia care.
Shared Reading is open to all and free to attend. A trained reader reads a great novel, short story or poem aloud. There is no need for you to speak or read – it’s fine to just listen. A unique experience that helps thousands of people to connect, feel good and live well.
Be assigned with a volunteer for 1:1 reading over the phone or get a Zoom link to connect directly with the volunteer running a reading session.
Contact Laura Merritt by email for further details.
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.
An informal singing, drumming and musical interaction group for older people including those living with dementia by Somerset Arts Well – Music for Wellbeing. Suggested donation £3-£5 or whatever you can afford. Refreshments included.
10.30-12 pm on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays in the month. (12 January, 26 January, 9 February, 23 February, 9 March, 23 March) United Reformed Church High Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9DZ
Somerset Direct – Adult Social Care supports adults of working age and older people who have disabilities, mental health problems, a sensory loss or general frailty.
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
People who would benefit from extra social contact can now self-refer for free ‘Check In and Chat’ phone calls. The volunteers provide short-term telephone support to people in need of a friendly phone call and encouragement to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Check In and Chat: An individual requires a telephone chat and some encouragement to reduce loneliness and improve their wellbeing (these will be from a number of different volunteers).
Check In and Chat Plus: An individual requires regular telephone calls and encouragement to reduce loneliness and improve their wellbeing and these should be from the same volunteer because of significant vulnerabilities such as dementia. (3 calls per week for 4 weeks from a volunteer).
Free to attend. Nature and wildlife activities in Frome, for people with dementia or memory loss. Learn about wildlife together. Activities include arts & crafts, wildlife gardening, nature walks and more. Open and inclusive to suit all abilities and interests. Please call ahead to book your space and check location. Carers and family members welcome too. Free to attend, transport available.
Mells, Walled Garden – Mondays 2pm – 4pm