Directory: Help at Home

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 on the contact details below.

The service is for people who will be self-funding, rather than those who are eligible for funding through their local council.

A Somerset service that can provides a range of equipment to help people live independently, whether it is a wheelchair or equipment for the home or to help whilst out and about.  Somerset residents can borrow equipment as long as needed from this service, which includes delivery and fitting, servicing, collection and recycling.

Micro-providers are providers of very small, community based care and support services. They provide help at home in the Mendip area and across Somerset.

The easiest route to finding a micro-provider is to use an online search tool called the ‘Brokerage Tool’.

What will happen when I use the tool?

By filling in the online form you will input the type of support you are looking for, your location and your support preferences. Once submitted these details will automatically be sent to Somerset County Council approved micro-providers in your area, who will view the support request. An email will then be sent to you listing the details of any micro-providers who are available and interested in the opportunity.

To use the new Brokerage Tool, please click here

If you would like to review a list of micro-providers in your area, you can visit the Somerset Community Connect website. You can use the website to search for micro-providers by location and type of service required.

You can also find information under the Advice and Information section on Somerset Community Connect’s website, which explains what micro-providers are and how they meet certain quality and safety standards.

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.

Providing volunteer support and volunteering opportunities, local information and networking. The Network can help people with small shops, picking up prescriptions or errands to support those who are unable to go out.

The website is one-stop-platform of information, including local support organisations and businesses. People can make requests for support via the website, and donations can also be made to support the work of the Network.

To enquire about a minor adaptation such as grab rails, lever taps, threshold lowering etc. contact Somerset Direct.

Disabled Facilities grants:
To find out more about disabled facilities such as level access showers and stairlifts and apply for a grant (subject to eligibility) contact Adult Social Care via Somerset Direct and request to speak to an Occupational Therapist.

Independent Living Officers:
For referrals and enquiries regarding our hoarding service, Home Safety checks, Decent Homes, or for one of our trusted assessors to refer grab rails around your property contact Somerset Independent Plus.

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.

HomeFirst Plus provides a range of practical services and home adaptations for anyone needing support. The service covers the whole of the Somerset.

Independent Age is a national charity providing support for older people facing financial hardship. They can offer free impartial advice and information on what matters most, money, housing, and care. Independent Age financially support local community organizations across the UK through their grants programme.

You can call their freephone Helpline, listed below,  Monday – Friday: 8.30am – 5.30pm (closed on bank holidays). You can also email your query to the address below to speak to one of the advisors.

Independent Living Centres have a range of equipment and technology to help you stay independent, both in the home, and also when out and about. At the centre you can get advice, find out what kind of equipment is available, and even try some out for yourself. It’s free to visit, but you’ll need to make an appointment first.

Shape Mendip, Stockhill Building, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BT

Opening times are by appointment only: Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 3:30pm

To arrange an appointment click ‘contact us’ via the website link below, or contact us by telephone or email on the below contact details; If deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired SMS text on 07862122246.

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. The best time to ring us is later in the afternoon as we are out making deliveries around lunchtime.

• Somerset Lifeline – Our Lifeline service is for vulnerable people, victims of abuse, hospital discharge and anyone, at any age, that is living alone. Our service enables people to live independently in their own home and gives peace of mind to family and friends. Available in Mendip, North Somerset, Sedgemoor, West Somerset (Somerset).
• Life Connect 24  – personal alarms and pendants for the elderly or disabled, people living alone and at risk of falling or in need of reassurance, people suffering from long term illness such as dementia, epilepsy or heart disease.
• Age Co Personal Alarm  –  Personal alarm will give you the security and confidence to continue living independently in the home you love. Part of Age UK
• Connected Living (Aster) – Provide the latest digital monitored home alarms, solutions and GPS locator devices to support you to live your life, your way knowing that help is at the touch of a button 24/7. Connected Living offer FREE, no obligation demonstrations across the whole of Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset and our trusted Technicians will visit you in the comfort of your own home.

For the hire of mobility aids including wheelchairs. There’s a delivery and pick up costs as well as donation for the hire depending on the item. Cost no barrier for those not able to donate.

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.

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

This is an online tool designed to give impartial advice about equipment to help make your daily living easier.

Adult Social Care supports adults of working age and older people who have disabilities, mental health problems, a sensory loss or general frailty.

We provide an integrated service for the disabled and vulnerable people of Somerset, to enable them to be more independent, improve their housing and to live in safer homes through disabled adaptations, home improvements and prevention services.

The Home Maintenance Service is a subsidised service for small repairs and jobs around your house. The care and repair team works together with local authorities as well as the NHS in Somerset. The service also aims to reduce accidents and help make your home more secure.

To book a visit or to enquire an assessment at one of our Independent Advice Centres please contact Somerset Direct On 0300 123 2224 or alternatively you can email adults@somerset.gov.uk

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.

The Cinnamon Trust is a national network of community service volunteers that provide practical help to people over 65 years of age or anyone in the final stages of a terminal illness.  The service covers any aspect of day to day care of pets, 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.

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.

Volunteer network who can help in several ways including sharing a friendly chat, helping with shopping, delivering prescriptions and more. Call the helpline Monday- Friday 9am-5pm.

Opportunities for volunteering available.

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