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.
Currently running on Wednesday 1-2pm online via Zoom. Meeting ID:879 0196 9507 Passcode: Coffee. For all of Mendip.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87901969507?pwd=dHZ6M2ZiMVMyQU52ZzdUdWlQdTl0UT09
Meet new people, make friends and chat to a community signposter about activities, support groups and services in your community.
For more information about face to face Talking Cafes please call the Health Connections office.
Shepton Together is a new adult friendship service set up especially for the community of Shepton Mallet. We offer a befriending service which connects and help local people during and after Covid-19.
Our mission and purpose is to combat isolation and loneliness, and to reengage people who have become less connected with their community. But most of all to provide our members with something fun and to look forward to.
We invite you to volunteer with Shepton Together, where together we will find enjoyment and fulfillment in helping to make a real difference to the lives of people living in our community.
If you fancy joining in the fun or wish to find out more, please get in touch by calling our friendly team.
Our remote friendship community has proved to be a huge success. New fabulous friendships have grown and blossomed, providing entertainment and companionship across Mendip from the safety of your own home. It is incredible how invigorating a good old chatter and catch up can be to brighten up your day, and not to mention an enjoyable way to pass the time.
Our mission is to enable people to live later life well, so if you are over 55 and would like to join in the fun or find out more, please get in touch with MHA Communities Mendip District. We will be really excited to hear from you and invite you to join our club.
If you are feeling lonely or a bit isolated and feel that a chat would help, get in touch!
Our Friendly Phone Call service is just that – sign up and you will receive a phone call from one of our friendly members of staff.
Call the number below and leave your contact details.
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.
The Royal British Legion is helping the Armed Forces community in the Frome area. Providing a range of Branch Community Support to veterans and any serving personnel as well as their families, Including: Telephone buddies, Home and Hospital visiting, Bereavement support, Legion Awareness Events and local information. If you’re not sure where to turn, please get in touch.
*Covid pandemic update – This group has been suspended. Check in and Chat service is available for anyone who wants to talk. Call 0808 1963646*
The Royal Voluntary Service run this club for over 60s at the Oakhill Village Hall, Zion Hill, Oakhill, BA3 5AN every Wednesday afternoon from 14:00 -16:00. This is a volunteer-run social club providing a wide range of activities from dancing, crafts and gentle exercises to specialist interests as well as the opportunity to catch up with friends. Please call the number below or fill in the online contact form before going.
Hot meals delivered by volunteer drivers. Delivering hot fresh lunches in the following areas: Cheddar, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Street, Wells and surrounding villages.
Cost: £6.00 for 2 courses – Menu available online. Orders taken over the telephone or via email (order before 3.00pm for next day delivery). Frozen meals can also be ordered.
*Covid update- Classes are currently suspended, See AGE UK website https://www.ageuk.org.uk/somerset/ as some classes are available online*
Stay Strong, Stay Steady sessions are special classes which help to reduce falls and improve balance, strength and confidence.
Individuals can refer themselves by calling Age UK on the number below. A short health questionnaire will need to be completed and, depending on the outcome, further information from your GP may be required to ensure that it is safe to participate. Alternatively, referrals are accepted from Healthcare Professionals. Further information can be found by clicking the link below, including a referral form.
Cost: £4.00
Classes in Mendip:
Frome – Christchurch Parish Hall, Park Rd, BA11 1EU, Mondays
Wells – Town Hall, Market Place, BA5 2RB, Fridays
Berkley Catering Ltd offer a hot lunchtime meal delivery service in the Frome Area, providing you daily with a choice of two main meals and two desserts brought to you piping hot on china tableware. Delivery will be between 12 and 1.30pm Monday -Friday Mains meals £4.00 and a dessert £2.00
A complete monthly list of choices will be sent to you, simply ring to pre order or tell us your next order when we deliver.
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. Alliances can also promote activities that have the potential to reduce the risk of people developing dementia, including regular exercise, changes to diet, drinking in moderation and engaging in social activities and hobbies.
For more information on becoming a Dementia Friend please contact Peter Hillman on the number below.
You can also find details of your local Alliance via their website (see below).
*COVID update: Small group talks are still taking place but not larger events*
‘Route 60+’ is a presentation aimed at senior drivers, which looks at how vehicles and driving skills change over time. The presentation lasts approximately 60 minutes and is designed to help drivers continue their driving career for as long as possible.
Those attending get a free hi-vis jacket and a copy of the highway code and details of accredited driving instructors for attendees who require further support.
If you run a club or group that would benefit from a Route 60+ talk then please contact the Road Safety team. See below for contact details.
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
The Road Assured scheme is for any driver who has a health issue that may make driving more difficult or who is returning to driving, perhaps after an operation or a health episode. The scheme enables you to take a short, assessed drive with an Approved Driving Instructor who will give advice and produce a written report.
Self referral, GP referral or you can refer a friend with their knowledge. There’s is a £50 fee for the Road Assured assessment
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
A small informal group that meets on the last Friday of the month (not Dec) at Frome library 1.30pm-3.pm. We are not a group that writes/reads our own poetry rather we choose poems to bring to the group that either fit the theme of the month, are ones we like, are ones we puzzle over, ones to share etc.
The first point of contact for veterans seeking support. You can contact them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Charity helpline and advice service for older people and their families who may be affected by abuse. 24/7 phoneline.
Age UK Somerset provides information and advice on a wide range of issues. We’ll provide you with the facts and you can make choices and decisions knowing you have reliable information. We can help you with: Welfare benefits and money matters. Housing rights. Health and social care. Leisure and social activities. Family and personal matters. Your rights to local services. And most other things that affect your quality of life.
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
Active and In Touch run the Active Tuesday Social Club. This is a social group for older or isolated people to come together and socialise through activities, special events or a chat over a cup of tea. The club costs £2 and is a drop in service.
The social group meets weekly on Tuesdays, 11.00am – 1.00pm. The group meets at: Phoenix House, Dommetts Lane, Frome and The Assembly Rooms and The Corner House, Frome. Call for information of where they are going to meet on the Tuesday that you want to attend.
*COVID update: Regular Sunday afternoon tea parties have been suspended and replaced by call companions. This is a free service for older people who may be socially isolated and lonely and would enjoy a regular friendly chat over the phone. We plan to run both services after the crisis is over.*
Re-engage (formerly Contact the Elderly) has been providing social contact for older people for over 50 years. The monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties are a lifeline of friendship for lonely people over 75.
The service currently runs in Frome, Glastonbury,Shepton Mallet, Wells and Rode and you can refer someone, with their permission, on the website.
If you would like to refer anyone to our Call Companions use our online form, and we will then be in touch with the older person directly.
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.
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. Also telephone befriending from a volunteer for those who would like a chat.
*Covid 19 pandemic update – running daily Covid secure sessions* (updated Dec 2020)
Day opportunities for older people, with health issues. Aims to help prevent social isolation and give carers a break. We can help you do just that through interesting talks, activities, outings as well as being able to guide you to appropriate services to make your life easier. We have groups for older people at the Lawrence Centre, 37 Chamberlain Street, Wells, BA5 2PQ. Our groups meet every weekday and the last Saturday of each month from 10.00am to 2.30pm, refreshments and lunch are available at a cost of £20 per day. If you would like more information, please contact Maggie Charlesworth.
You can borrow talking books free of charge, if you are registered with a visual impairment, are unable to hold or use printed material due to a physical disability or if you are dyslexic.
*Covid pandemic update-All Age UK classes are currently suspended but some may be happening online-visit https://www.ageuk.org.uk/somerset/ for the details*
Mature Movers exercise class offers gentle seated exercise adaptable for all abilities.
Classes are at :
Frome Medical Practice, Enos Way, Frome, BA11 2FH . Fridays term-time 10.00am-11.00am £4.50 and Mondays 12pm-1pm. £4.50
Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre, Charlton Road, Thursdays 10.30am – 11.30am £4.50
Nunney Village Hall, Nunney, Frome BA11 4LX, Wednesdays 10:00am-11:00am £4.50
Coleford The Hub, Old School Church Street, Coleford, BA3 5NQ, Wednesdays 11.00am-12.00pm £4.50
Supported by Age UK.
If you are over 60 why not try The Monmouth Lunch Club Mondays 10am-2pm. Activities, tea/coffee and a two course hot lunch.
Cost: £ 6.75/ week.
Venue: Monmouth Close, Glastonbury, BA6 9LN
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
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
The Silver Line is a confidential, free, national helpline for older people. Open every day and night of the year. They can offer information, friendship and advice. They can signpost callers to the many, varied groups and services that exist in Mendip.
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.
SSAFA provides lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army or the Royal Air Force.
Our trained volunteers can provide practical, emotional and financial support if and when you need it. Our network of local branches means that help and advice is close at hand. When you contact us for support we will put you in touch with one of our experienced advisers in the Mendip area. It is often the little things which make the most difference but we are also experienced at dealing with complex problems.
We may be able to help people in need, living in the South West, with funding for respite holidays, days away, taxis etc. Registered charity 1069330
This website lists the Talking Newspapers which are available in your area. Listed are national, county-wide, Glastonbury and Frome Talking newspapers.
COVID-19 Update: Please note due to current coronavirus restrictions this service may be affected. Please check with the service provider.
u3a is a UK-wide movement which brings together people, who are no longer in full-time employment, to develop their interests and continue their learning in a friendly and informal environment. Groups in Wells, Shepton Mallet, Street and Glastonbury meeting over Zoom due to the pandemic. Do phone for the latest information.
Village Agents are local people employed on a part-time basis to become trusted members of their communities and a valuable resource. Village Agents make home visits when necessary and provide high-quality information. They enable direct access to a wide range of services and use a secure electronic referral system. They may informally carry out a series of practical checks related to safety in the home (e.g. smoke alarms, falls prevention), benefit entitlement and energy efficiency. Visits are followed up when necessary by experts who will provide specialist information, advice and services, e.g. the fire service and social care.