SOMERSET COUNCIL SURVEY NEEDS YOUR INPUT

Following local government reorganisation and the establishment of the new unitary authority, Somerset Council is looking at how to bring together the support for Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector which was funded by Somerset's district and county councils

Part of this is understanding the types of support which groups have found most helpful, where the support came from, and whether there are gaps in the support currently available.

The Council will be in conversation with a range of groups over the coming weeks, and has produced a short survey to gather information from as many groups as possible.

Click here: Please complete the survey!

Grants & Funds for Somerset

Main Grants - are for local groups so they can provide the extra support that some people need in our community. You can ask for a grant of between £1,000 and £5,000 from here if your group is applying for funding to support its work with Somerset residents

Click here to apply by Friday 6 October

Discovery Community Fund - created to make Somerset the best possible place for adults with learning disabilities and autism. It provides grants to individual people and organisations to make this happen There are 3 different types of grants:

Small Sparks – up to £500 for individuals (open now)

Inclusion Grants – up to £10,000 for groups (open now) Big Changes – up to £100,000 for groups (opening soon)

Click here for more information.

Preventing Victims Fund

Click here to express an interest in the Preventing Victims Fund by Friday 25 August

Hinkley Point C Community Fund Small Grant For more details and to apply

Click here the application deadline is Wednesday the 30th of August 2023.

High Sheriff of Somerset Charitable Trust - For more details and to apply

Click here the application deadline is Friday the 11th of August 2023.

High Sheriff of Somerset Charitable Trust – Neighbourhood & PCSO Policing Fund

For more details and click here the application deadline is Friday the 11th of August 2023.

To see all the grant programmes that are available, visit Somerset Community Foundation’s ‘Grants to Groups’ webpage: www.somersetcf.org.uk/grantfunding/grants-groups

Summer Activities

Somerset Holiday Activities and Food Programme Update

Across Somerset thousands of children who are eligible for Free School Meals benefitted from free fun activities during the Easter Holidays thanks to the Happy Healthy Holidays Somerset (HHHS) project. Somerset Council teamed up with Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) to deliver the programme across the county

This summer will be the biggest yet with more than 100 venues (the most HHHS has ever had) offering even more variety of fun activities for children aged 5 to 16 Activities this year include water-based activities, performing arts, health and wellbeing, sports and much more!

This year, SASP is intending to fund 20,000 places across Somerset in the Summer 2023 programme. Activities start on Monday 24th July to Thursday 31st August where children can access 12 days of activities throughout the 6-week programme

Bookings went live on Thursday 28th June where parents and carers can book using their unique booking code provided by their child’s school

For further information please visit: www.sasp.co.uk/happy-healthyholidays YMCA Daycamps Rama

Other Somerset Holiday Activities Programmes:

Problem-solving, solutionfinding super heroes!

Updates from our Village & Community Agents

Mendip Team

NEW DROP-INS

Two new pop up drop-in venues are now available for Mendip residents. These are located in Frome library and Shepton Mallet library

Our Mendip Village Agent teams can assist with a range of different enquires. If they can't help, then they'll probaby know someone who can!

Tina Hazelhurst will be at Shepton Library on the 2nd Friday of each month 1pm - 3pm.

Nic Edwards will be at Frome Library on the 1st Wednesday of each month 10am - 12pm.

On the 14th of April Tina, our Village and Community Agent, attended an older driver event which was held Walton Village Hall in Street Older drivers were able to come and see how well they are driving and test their reactions to the roads For more information contact Tina

Problem-solving, solutionfinding super heroes!

Updates from our Village & Community Agents

South Somerset Team

South Somerset Village and Community Agents have been attending a series of Dementia Wellbeing Roadshows across our locality along with CCS Carers Coordinator Emma McGarva and Carers Group Lead Cath Holloway They have been available for information, signposting and advice along with other stall holders from many local teams/organisations here

For information on upcoming events please call 01823 331222

Meeting members of our local community

Village Agent Pete Coller and Community Agent Wendy Rudd attended the ‘Chard Together’ event on 11th March at The Guildhall in Chard

"Such a wonderful event to bring everyone together and an amazing array of foods and entertainment "

Problem-solving, solutionfinding super heroes!

Updates from our Village & Community Agents

Sedgemoor Team

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to feel isolated and alone, especially if you're dealing with challenging situations Whether you're struggling with a health issue, caring for a loved one, or just feeling overwhelmed, it's essential to have someone to talk to who understands what you're going through That's where our Talking Cafés come in.

The Bridgwater Talking Café has moved! Now located in the Hembry Room at Westfield Church, Thursdays 10am -12pm it has been well received at its new venue, and attendees have praised its relaxed and non-judgmental atmosphere Whether you need practical advice, emotional support, or just someone to talk to, the Talking Café is the perfect place to turn

Village Agents Dan Bell and Debbie Harris, are both knowledgeable and compassionate, a great resource, connecting you with the right services and support As part of the Agents service, the Talking Café is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for people in the community who need a listening ear.

The Bridgwater Talking Café is just one of many Talking Cafés in the area The Somerset Village and Community Agents service runs Talking Cafés throughout the region, providing a vital service to those who might otherwise feel isolated and alone You can find details of all the Talking Cafés at https://somersetagents.org/talkingcafes/.

The Somerset Village Agents service provides a range of services to support individuals and communities, including help with accessing healthcare, advice on benefits and housing, and support for carers.

Problem-solving, solutionfinding super heroes!

Updates from our Village & Community Agents

Taunton Team

The Taunton Village and Community Agents have been busy setting up new Talking Cafes, they now run from Wellington through locations across Taunton to North Curry, Fivehead and Burrowbridge on the East and Bishops Lydeard to the West. Please see the Talking Cafes calendar for full details, we very much look forward to welcoming you

We are very pleased to be at the wonderful café at The Minster in Taunton. Here is Jacqui Young one of our Village Agents ready with a smile and lots of information.

Armed Forces Day

Thanks to all who went along to the Somerset Armed Forces Day in Vivary Park this July. It was a great day and a good opportunity to let people know what we’re all about and the support that’s available for them

Somerset Carers Groups

If you regularly look after someone, such as a friend or a family member, in an unpaid capacity, Somerset Carers can support you with advice and guidance. In association with Spark, we also run Carers Groups, online and face-to-face across the county.

Some groups also offer gentle and fun activities for the person who is cared for, such as cognitive and physical exercises, meaning attendees can come along without the stress and cost of finding alternative care Groups in Yeovil, Shepton Mallet, Crewkerne and Keinton Mandeville can provide support for carers and the people they care for For example, in the Yeovil group, those who are cared for can enjoy boccia (seated bowling) and coffee with the skilled team from Freedom Leisure, whilst carers can meet new people, chat and connect with others who care for their friends or family members.

You can find out about carers groups in your area by looking at the Carers Hub page on our website: somersetcarers.org/carers-hub/ or you can call us on: 0800 3168600.

Have y for carers?

Wordsearches and quizzes

Apps to help you

Book recommendations

Courses and training

Focus on topics such as Dementia and well-being

Packed with advice, tips and more for carers in Somerset such as: Visit

What is a health walk?

It's a walk done on a regular basis for well-being, ranging from gentle, moderate to advanced It can help you to feel good, to have more energy, to sleep better and to manage your weight. There are so many benefits from health walking - we're sure you'll see a difference in yourself even after your first walk!

Would you like to find out more about walking or where you can take part in Somerset?

For further information on health walks please contact Georgina Hainsby, Health Walks Coordinator, who will be happy to provide further information.

Georgina Hainsby on 07599 654679 or ghainsby@sasp.co.uk

Further information can be found on the Somerset Health Walks Facebook page www.facebook.com/Somerset HealthWalks

To register for FREE Health Walks across Somerset please complete our registration form here

For more inspiration for activities in Somerset, please visit www.getoutsideinsomerset.co.uk/