Home from Hospital/Help at Home
Somerset Independence Plus
Somerset Independence Plus can offer advice and financial assistance that covers a number of improvements, adaptations or repairs that might need to be carried out on your home.The Home Maintenance Service is a subsidised service for small repairs and jobs around your house. The service also aims to reduce accidents and help make your home more secure.
For information on grants available for keeping your home warm, lowering bills, insulation costs etc.
Help with some little changes to help you settle back into everyday life after hospital visits.
Homes from Hospital is a free service, providing practical help before you go home, or the first few weeks you’re home.
The care and repair team works together with local authorities as well as the NHS in Somerset.
Specialist caseworkers and Handihelp technicians work with hospitals and patients to make sure your home is safe to return to.
Veterans Gateway – single point of contact for veterans’ support
There is a huge network of organisations supporting the Armed Forces community, so finding the right one for your needs can be tricky. We make it quick and easy by being your first point of contact for whatever support you need. Many of our team are veterans themselves so they understand the issues that people face after leaving the Armed Forces. They work with people on a one-to-one basis, connecting them with the right support as soon as possible.
Directory of Independent Community Microproviders
Micro providers provide help at home in the Somerset and Mendip area. For the directory see website link below and please read front sheet carefully for description of what microproviders can do.
Home Library Service
Libraries Direct. If you are confined to your home, and you are unable to visit a library, you could benefit from our Home Library Service. The service is available for people of any age, who may be permanently or temporarily confined to home.
This is a free service whereby RVS volunteers will choose books, deliver and befriend people who cannot easily get to the library.
Home Fire Safety Check
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service offer a Free Home Fire Safety Visit – a visit involves a fire and rescue service employee visiting your home to give advice and guidance to help with fire safety needs eg fit a smoke detector if there isn’t one, provide advice about hazards around the home, talk through an escape plan and provide additional safety items such as vibrating alerts (subject to criteria). Also advice for people with hoarding issues.
Independent Age
For support on many issues affecting the elderly such as housing, benefits advice, hospital discharge, isolation, and care homes.
Royal British Legion Handy Van
The British Legion’s Handy Van service helps ex-Service people who are over 75 and their spouses with small household repairs and minor adaptations. or email If we can help, we will. You will need your Service Number.
Royal Voluntary Service
The Royal Voluntary Service have volunteers across Somerset who offer help and support so older people can stay independent at home. Volunteers will visit you at home and work with you to create a support package that suits you. This may include some company and a chat with regular visits from a Royal Voluntary Service volunteer, telephone befriending or delivering Books on Wheels and other items like DVDs to your home. The Royal Voluntary Service also run lunch clubs and social clubs for people to attend. Calls can be made Monday – Friday between 8:00 am – 6:00 pm.
Somerset Care and Repair, Mendip, Bath and North East Somerset
Care and Repair is a home improvement agency providing a range of practical services and home adaptations designed to support elderly, disabled and vulnerable people and enable them to continue to live safe, warm and secure within their own homes.
The services covers the whole of the Somerset (including Mendip, South Somerset, Sedgemoor, Taunton Deane and West Somerset) and all of Bath and North East Somerset. For more information about the services available visit the website, email the office or phone the number below.
Somerset Care & Repair Ltd, Barley House, The Old Brewery, Charlton Estate, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5QE
Somerset Direct – Adult Social Care
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.
Disabled Facilities Grant
If you or someone in your property is disabled you may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant. This would help towards the cost of providing major adaptations and facilities that would help the person to live in their home. The applicant of the grant must be either the owner of the property or a tenant.
The landlord of the property may also apply and a tenant must have the permission of the landlord. There are conditions attached please ask on application. To apply contact Adult Social Care on the number below and ask for an Occupational Therapist Assessment or visit website for more information.
The British Red Cross
Looking for volunteers for their ‘Support at Home’ service which helps people on a short term basis who may need some support and help when they are first discharged from hospital. This could include collecting from patients hospital on the day of discharge then taking them home, or helping people settle back in at home, going shopping or befriending.
Full training is given and as a trained volunteer you can have the rewarding experience of helping others remain independent in their own homes. Could you spare a few hours to help support someone in need?
The Cinnamon Trust
The Cinnamon Trust is a national network of over 15,000 community service volunteers has been established to provide practical help when any aspect of day to day care of pets pose a problem, for example, walking the dog for a housebound owner.
A national fostering service is provided for pets whose owners face a spell in hospital. Volunteers take pets into their own homes and supply love and care in abundance until owner and pet can be reunited. For more information about the service or to become a volunteer please call us or visit our website.
Please note referrals need to be done by the individual.
Red Cross Mobility Aids Service
For the hire of mobility aids including wheelchairs. Delivery costs £10 and Pick up £10 as well as donation for the hire depending on the item. Cost no barrier for those not able to donate.
IT Help at Home
IT Help at Home provides IT training for people in Somerset who find it difficult to access formal IT classes, at no cost to the learner.
Our learners are people who are unable to leave their home through physical disability, such as illness, being elderly, having problems with their hearing or eyesight, We also support home carers and those that are isolated in rural areas and not easily able to travel to public courses.
We provide 12 sessions of free computer tuition on a one-to-one basis in a learner’s home. Typically, each session lasts 1-2 hours and is spread over a 12 week period, although this is flexible. Tutoring is provided by volunteers and is tailored to suit each learner’s existing computing knowledge and the aspects they wish to explore. Learners range from complete novices to more advanced users. If the learner does not own a computer they can be lent a laptop for the duration of the course, but they will need access to the internet
Red Cross Support at Home Service
The Red Cross helps thousands of people following a short stay in hospital and prevents unnecessary hospital admissions by providing extra support at home. The support offered by our volunteers can smooth the process of settling back into a normal routine and enable people to regain their confidence and independence. The service includes: rebuilding confidence, collecting prescriptions, offering companionship, assistance with shopping. The service is available on a time-limited basis. Usually 6 weeks. Referrals are accepted from GPs, hospitals, social workers and individuals. No Domestic chores such as washing up carried out.