DEMENTIA SAFEGUARDING SCHEME’S TILE
AvonandSomersetPolicehave launchedaBluetoothlocating devicecalledTile,whichispartof theiraward-winningDementia SafeguardingScheme.
Thisschemehasalreadyhelped over1,600peoplelivingwith dementia.TheTiledevice, supportedbyLife360,allowsfamily membersandcarerstolocate vulnerableindividualsquicklyand accuratelyusingaglobalnetworkof smartphones.
TheTiletrackerisdiscreetand private,withlocationinformation onlyvisibletoauthorisedpeople.It alsohasaQRcodeontheback thatcanbescannedtocontactthe nextofkinorcarerdirectly.
Christmas for Carers guide
Thedeviceiseasytosetup, requiresnomaintenance,andhasa batterylifeofuptothreeyears.
TheschemealsousestheHerbert Protocol,whichletscarersupload vitalinformationabouttheirloved onestothepolicewebsite,helping tolocatethemquicklyiftheygo missing.
Thisinitiativecanprovidepeaceof mindtofamiliesandensuretimely assistanceinemergencies.
FindoutmoreaboutAvonand SomersetPoliceDementia SafeguardingSchemeandtheTile.
CARERS WEEK 2025
CarersWeektakesplacefrom9 to 15 Junethisyearwithathemeof CaringAboutEquality.Itaimsto highlighttheinequalitiesfacedby unpaidcarerswhichinclude: th th agreaterriskofpoverty socialisolation poormentalandphysicalhealth.
Weareplanningarangeofevents throughoutSomersettobringunpaid carerstogetherforalittlerestand relaxationandachancetochat informallyabouttheroleandthe typeofsupportthatwouldhelpto addressinequality.
CARERSWILDLIFEWALK
13JUNE AvalonMarsh Westhay Glastonbury
CarersWeek somersetcarersorg/carersweek2025 12June
Supportedboatrides (wheelchairboatsavailable), WimbleballLake FerneAnimalSanctuaryVisit VisitSheppy’sfarmandorchard WildlifeWalk,AvalonMarshes Artexhibitionandcrafting, Hauser&Wirth Teaparties: Oakhill Bridgwater Taunton(Sheppy’sCider) Watchet OurplansforCarersWeekinclude thesefreeactivitiesforunpaid carersandthepersontheycarefor:
Pleasecheckoutourwebsiteforfull detailsandwhetheryouneedto bookaplaceorcanjustdrop-in.
Thedeadlineforactivitiesyouneed tobookis31 May.Someplaces arelimitedsopleasebookearlyto avoidmissingout. st
Havinganup-to-datewillisthe bestwaytobesurethepeople youcareaboutarelookedafter.
TheCommunityCouncilfor SomersetwhichrunsSomerset CarersService,haspartnered withBequeathedtoofferaneasy wayforSomersetresidentsto writeawillonline.
Basicwillsarefree,andadviceis onhandshouldyouneedit.
Theprocessisquickandeasy andthereisahandychecklistto helpyougatheryourthoughtsand alltheinformationyoumightneed beforeyougetstarted.
CCS WILL WRITING SERVICE
IfyouuseCCS’willwritingservice, youwillbeaskedifyouwouldliketo leaveagifttoacharityofyour choice,includingCCS.
Thereisabsolutelynoobligationto doso,butCCSwouldtrulyvalue yoursupport.Thegenerosityof thosewholeaveagiftwillbenefit Somersetresidentsinneed.
Tofindoutmoreaboutthewill writingservice,pleasevisit: https://ccslovesomerset.org/giftsin-wills/oruseyoursmartphoneto scantheQRcode.
CARERS INFORMATION SESSIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY
Lastyear,incollaborationwith SomersetCouncil,werantwo CarersInformationSessionswhere unpaidcarerswereinvitedtocome alongtofindoutaboutcarers assessmentsandwhatsupportis availablefromSomersetCarers, localcommunityorganisations, SomersetCouncilandmore.
Astheyweresowellreceived, severalmoresessionswillrunthis yearsothatwecanshare informationandadvicethroughout thecounty.
You’llfinddatesandlocationshere: https://somersetcarers.org/uncate gorised/new-carer-informationroadshow/
Thenexteventwilltakeplaceat SomersetIndependentLiving Centre,Yeovil,on22ndMayfrom 10amto1pm.
ComealongtotalktoSomerset CarersCo-ordinators,Village Agentsandrepresentativesoflocal organisationswhoofferhelpful information,servicesand resources.
MP HEARS TAUNTON CARERS
On4thApril,SomersetCarers TauntonGroupwaspleasedto welcomeGideonAmosMPtotheir meetingatMikey’sCafeinTaunton.
Gideonspentthemorningspeaking directlywithunpaidcarers,listening totheirpersonalstoriesandgaining valuableinsightintotherealitiesof caringforfriendsandlovedones.
Thediscussionhighlightedboththe rewardingandchallengingaspects ofunpaidcare includingthe significantfinancialpressuresmany face,andtheongoingdifficultyin accessingmuch-neededrespite support.
Thevisitwasanopportunityfor carerstohavetheirvoicesheard.
Organisersandattendees appreciatedGideon’stimeand engagement.“We’regratefulto Gideonforshowinggenuineinterest inthelivesofunpaidcarers,”said ChrissyBrewer,SomersetCarers leadfromtheCommunityCouncilfor Somerset.“Thecarersspoke openlyandhonestly,andwehope theirvoicescanhelpleadto meaningfulchange.”
SUPPORTEDHOLIDAYSFORCARERSAND THEPERSONYOUCAREFOR
AltogetherTravelisatravel companythatofferssupported holidaysandaccessibletravel.
Theyplan,bookandprovidecare andsupporttomakeyourholiday dreamsrunsmoothly.
Ifyouwishtoplanatripforthe personyoucarefor,orforyouboth, theyhelpmanagesupport requirementsanddesignyour holidayaroundyourspecific interests,needsandaspirations.
FindoutmoreaboutAltogether Travel.
Doyouknowofsomeonewho lovesbooksandreading,but strugglestogetoutandabout duetohealthandmobility reasons,oriscaringfora lovedone?
HOME LIBRARY SERVICE
Thereisspaceformorecustomers withintheHomeLibraryServicein mostareasinSomerset.
Individualsarematchedupwitha volunteerwhoselectsanddelivers bookstothemathome.
Thisisafreeserviceandcustomers getfreereservationsonallbooks, aswellasnooverduefees.
AS A HOME LIBRARY CUSTOMER YOU CAN ALSO ACCESS:
e-books
e-audiobooks e-magazines
e-comics
e-newspapers
Findoutmoreabouttheservicehere
BESIDE THE SEA
TheSomersetCarersCastleCary Groupdecideditwouldmakeanice breaktohaveadaytripawayand aftersomediscussion,thegroup membersvotedforWeymouth.Kim, whovolunteerswiththegroup,gave usthisupdate.
“Fourteenofus,onedachsundand eightrollatorsroaredofftothe seaside.Therewasaprizeoffered forthefirstonetoseetheseawonbythedriver!
Theweathercouldn'thavebeen betterconsideringitwasearlyApril
OnceinWeymouth,peoplebroke intogroupsto'dotheirownthing'walkonthebeach,alongthe promenade,visittheharbour,look aroundtheshopsandgenerally reminisce,buteveryonemadesure theyhadfishandchipsonthesea front-superblyfreshandmassive portions.Andmosthadicecream too-ithastobedone!
Thechatteronthebuscominghome wasnon-stop,withabitofasingsong,andeveryoneseemedtobe invigoratedbytheirdayout.Ithink everyonewillhavesleptwellthat nightafteralltheseaair.”
OVERTO YOU
We’reconstantlytryingtoimprove theserviceweoffertoyouandas partofthat,we’dliketoknowwhich, ifany,ofthelisteddigitaltoolsyou use.
Pleasetakeaminutetotakepartin ourpoll,sothatwecanreachyou whereitsuitsyou.Justclickonall thatapplyandthensubmit. Thankyou.
POEM FOR A CARERACRONYMS
Whenyoubecomeacareryou’llneedadictionary tounderstandtheacronymsofcare. Itreallyseemssoveryunfair.
DOL,POA,ADRT,DNRaresomeofthethingsthatyoumayencounter, asthesystemyoufightyourwaythrough, tryingtofindoutwhatyouneedtodo.
Allofthishappenswhilstdealingwithchange, intherelationshipyou’vehadbefore, withthepersonforwhomyounowcare, andthefeelingsoflosswhichissohardtobear.
WiththankstoAlisonwhorunstheIlminsterCarersGroup.
CHANGE LIVES WHEN YOU SHOP
SomersetCarersisdeliveredbythe CommunityCouncilforSomerset (CCS),acharitythatsupported 10,000peopleinSomersetlastyear toputfoodonthetable,staywarm, keeparoofovertheirheadand connectwiththeirlocalcommunity.
CCSisrunningitsfirstfundraising campaign,sothatnextyearitcan supportevenmorepeopleinneedin ourSomersetcommunities.The campaigniscalledPayItForward ForSomersetandtherearemany waystogetinvolved.
Didyouknowthereisafree,easy waytoraisemoneyforcharity.You canraisefundseverytimeyou shoponline.
Youpaynomorethanthecostof yourpurchases,buteachpurchase generatesadonationforCCS.
Therearethousandsofstoresinthe schemetohelpraisefundsfor charitiesandover400,000shoppers takingpart.
Allyouhavetodoistoregisterwith GiveAsYouLiveforfree.
https://www.giveasyoulive.com/cha rity/ccs-pay-it-forward-somerset
Visityourfavouriteonlinestoresvia theGiveAsYouLivewebsite-just shopasusualandthestore providesadonationatnocostto you.
ThePayItForwardForSomerset campaignwillenableCCStoprovide vitalsupportservicesthathelp Somersetresidentswhentheyneed itmost.Sopleasedosupportifyou can.
MEDITATION
Haveyoutriedmeditation?Manypeoplefinditagoodwaytorelease worries,calmthemind,relax,lowerstressandeaselowmood.
Ifyou'reinneedofalittledowntimetorechargeandreflectonyourcaring role,youmightfindthiscompassionatecaregivingmeditationhelpful-just chooseacomfortablespace,sitquietly,closeyoureyesandlisten.
Itisaround20minuteslongandisagreatwaytospendsomequiettime.
WiththankstoMichelleofWondersofWellnesswhorecordeditespecially forcarers.
Justvisitthelinkandclicktodownload: https://somersetcarers.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Meditation4.pdf
Meetothercarersformutualsupportandfriendshipatoneofthemanygroupsrunningacross Somerset Somegroupsofferactivitiesforthepersonyoucareforwhilstyoujointhegroup Pleasecontacttheorganiserbeforegoingalongforthefirsttimeincaseofschedulechanges Forallothercarerinformation,pleasecall08003168600
Frome
RossettiHouse
WelshmillLane,BA112AA
Glastonbury
GlastonburyCareHome
PikeClose,BA69PZ
Street
TheCrispinCentre
BA160HP
Oakhill
OakhillVillageHall
ZionHill
1stWednesdayofthemonth 1030amto1230pm
4thFridayofthemonth 10.30am-12.00noon
Activitiesforthepersonyoucare forbyBrunelCare
2ndMondayofthemonth 10.30amto12.00noon
2ndWednesdayofthemonth 2pm-3.30pm
Minehead
TheBeachHotel
Watchet
TheSanctuary
CathHolloway07535279359 cathh@somersetrccorguk
CathHolloway07535279359
cathh@somersetrccorguk
CathHolloway07535279359
cathh@somersetrcc.org.uk Mac07490060355
JennyTheed 07738737889
Jennytheed@yahoo.co.uk
RSET
2ndThursdayofthemonth 10amto12noon
LastMondayofthemonth 1.15pmto2.45pm
WayneStokes07538316526 waynes@somersetrcc.org.uk
CathHolloway07535279359 cathh@somersetrcc.org.uk
HTTPS://SOMERSETCARERS.ORG/CARERS-GROUPS/ HTTPS://SOMERSETCARERS.ORG/CARERS-GROUPS/
Merriott
ArkatEgwood
2ndWednesdayofthemonth
1.30pmto3.00pm Mindfulnesssession
WHERE?
Axbridge
AxbridgeTownHall
BurnhamonSea WaffleHubMethodistChurch 35ACollegeSt, TA81AS
Bridgwater
Temporaryvenue,please contactfordetails
Bridgwater(evening)
VictoriaParkWellbeing Hub
4thMondayofthemonth 2pm-3.30pm
4thTuesdayofthemonth 10amto11.30am
2ndFridayofthemonth 10am-11.30am
LastWedsofthemonth 5.30pmto7pm
CathHolloway07535279359
cathh@somersetrcc.org.uk
JemmaHarper jemma@arkategwoodcom
CathHolloway07535279359 cathh@somersetrcc.org.uk
CathHolloway07535279359
cathh@somersetrcc.org.uk
CathHolloway07535279359 cathh@somersetrccorguk
ChrissyBrewer07535276680
ChristineB@Somersetrcc.org.uk
WHERE? WHEN? WHO DO I CONTACT?
CreechStMichael
BaptistChurchdownstairs
Taunton
Mikey’sCafe,StMichael’s
Wellington
StJohn'sChurch
TA218SD
3rdFridayofeverymonth 10.30amto12noon
1stFridayofeverymonth 10amto11.30am
1stTuesdayofeverymonth 1.30pmto3pm
CathHolloway07535279359
cathh@somersetrcc.org.uk
CathHolloway07535279359
cathh@somersetrcc.org.uk
CathHolloway07535279359
WellingtonCarersElle@outlook.com
O
Carersgroup:7pm-fourthTuesdayofthemonth
Registerhere:https://somersetcarers.org/carers-groups/ andclicktheblue'Register'button
Axbridge: StJohn'sBaptistChurch,TheChurchRooms 10.30am-12.30pm EveryMonday
Minehead: MethodistChurch 10am -12noon EveryMonday
WestHuntspill: StPeter&AllHallowsChurch 1030am-12noon 1stMondayofthemonth
Taunton: FoodBank(Drop-inonly) 10am-12noon EveryMonday
Berrow VillageHall 1pm-3pm 3rdTuesdayofthemonth
BurnhamonSea: MethodistChurch 10am-12noon EveryTuesday
NorthPetherton CommunityCentre 1030am-1230pm 2ndTuesdayofthemonth
Taunton: HalconBaptistChurch 1030am-12noon 2ndTuesdayofthemonth
Taunton: LisieuxWayMethodistChurch 10am-12noon EveryTuesday(except1st)
Taunton: MusgroveParkHospitalintheConcourse 2pm-4pm 2ndTuesdayofthemonth
Taunton: WellspringsCommunityChurch 1030am-1230pm EveryTuesday(withBSLeveryother)
Wellington: StJohnsChurch 10am-12noon EveryTuesday
WestBagborough: VillageHallCoffeeMorning 1030am-12noon 1 Tuesdayofthemonth st
Williton: ThePavillion 1pm-3pm EveryTuesday
Yeovil: YeovilDistrictHospital 12noon-2pm 2ndTuesdayofthemonth
Yeovil: Library 10am-12noon Every1stand3rdTuesday
Bridgwater: ReCreationCommunityHub 130pm-330pm EveryWednesday
Chard: ChardCommuniTeaWaffle 10am-12pm EveryWednesday
Langport: TheAngelCafe 11.30am-1.30pm EveryWednesday
Taunton: TheMinster,St.MaryMagdaleneChurch 10am-12noon EveryotherWednesday
Wincanton: WincantonLibrary(CarersTalkingCafe) 10am-12noon EveryWednesday
Wiveliscombe: SilverStreetCentre 1030am-12noon EveryWednesday
Woolavington: BithamWalkHall 11am-1pm EveryWednesday
Yeovil: RyallsParkMedicalCentre(drop-inonly) 2pm-3pm LastWednesdayofthemonth
BishopsLydeard: TheVillageHall 10am-12noon EveryThursday
Brean: VillageHall 1pm-3pm 3rdThursdayofthemonth
CotfordStLuke CotfordStLukeHubMemoryCafe 10am-12noon 3rdThursdayofthemonth
CreechStMichael: LifeCafe,BaptistChurch 1030am-1230pm 1stThursdayofthemonth
Dulverton: FishersMeadCommonRoom 1030am-1230pm EveryThursday
Highbridge: PurplespoonCafe(YMCA) 10am-12noon EveryThursday
SouthPetherton: TheLibrary 10am -12noon EveryThursday
StokeStGregory: TheVillageShop&Cafe(attheRoyalOak) 10am-12noon 2ndThursdayofthemonth
Yeovil: WestfieldCommunityCentre 10am-12noon EveryThursday
Galmington: St MichaelsChurch 9am-1030am 1stFridayofthemonth
Ilminster: Library 11am-1pm EveryFriday
NorthCurry: VillageHall 2pm-4pm 3rdFridayofthemonth
Clickablelinks:
TrackerSurveyLink: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XWS9G2M
Registerforfutureactivities: https://forms.office.com/e/nTkK75XuUp
CarersConnected
WouldyouliketopraywithotherChristiancarers?
OnlinezoomgroupsforcarersrunbytheChristiancharity,EmbracingAge, withtimetochat,shareexperiences,ashortreflectionwithapoemor song,andprayerforoneanotherattheend.
Anyonewhoisinterestedcanfindoutmoreviathewebpageorbyemailing carers@embracingage.org.ukorcalling07964895477.
THECOMMUNITYCOUNCILFORSOMERSET
SomersetCarersiscommissionedbySomersetCouncilandNHSSomersettodeliver supporttounpaidCarers.
WedothisthroughourteamofCarerandVillageAgents.Anyoneover18thatlooks aftersomeoneinanunpaidcaringcapacitycanreceivesupportfromSomersetCarers forfree.
Youcanreferyourselfor,withpermission,youcanreferanotherpersontoSomerset Carersbycalling08003168600.
Youcouldbelookingafteralovedone,friend,partner,parentorchild(itdoesn’tmatter iftheyareunderorover18)onaregularorirregularbasis
Follow us on social media
/SomersetCarers /SomersetCarers
FITZWARRENHOUSE QUEENSTREET TAUNTON TA13UG carers@somersetrcc.org.uk wwwsomersetcarersorg
CCSisaCompanyLimitedby GuaranteeNo3541219
CharityNo.1069260
/lovesomerset
/CC4Somerset
SignuptoreceivetheSomersetCarers newsletter.
https://somersetcarersorg/register/ Don’tforget,onceyoujoinyoucan unsubscribeatanytimeandweonlyholdthe informationyouprovideonouronline subscribersmailinglist.
IfyouarereceivingtheCarers Newsletteritisbecauseyouhave signeduptoreceivethenewslettervia ouronlineregistration.
Wedefinethisas‘legitimateinterest’ andareprocessingyourdata(i.e. storingyouremailaddressandusingit tosendyouthisnewsletter)onthis lawfulbasis.Tofindouthowweuse yourpersonalinformationmore generallysee:
https://ccslovesomerset.org/ccspolicies
Ifyouwouldliketoopt-outof receivingfuturecopies,pleaseusethe unsubscribebuttonatthebottomofall ouremailsorcontact carers@somersetrcc.org.uk
Somerset Carers website
Somerset Carers Groups
Spark online Carers Groups
Carers UK
www.somersetcarers.org
VisittheCarersHubforahuge,searchable directoryoflocalsupportandresources.
https://www.sparksomerset.or g.uk/online-carers-group
https://somersetcarers.org/carers-groups/
Email:cathh@somersetrccorguk
www.carersuk.org MondaytoFriday,9am–6pm(includingBankHolidays)
Citizens Advice www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/ looking-after-people/carers-help-and-support/
NHS
Spark online Carers Groups
somerset Council
Somerset NHS carers assessment service
https://www.sparksomerset.or g.uk/online-carers-group
www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-supportguide/practical-tips-if-you-care-for-someone/
https://wwwsomersetgovuk/care-and-support-for-adults/
https://wwwsomersetgovuk/roads-travel-andparking/apply-for-or-renew-a-blue-badge/
https://wwwsomersetgovuk/children-families-andeducation/the-local-offer/social-care/carers-assessments/
https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/carers-service-andtriangle-of-care/sample-page/caring-for-someonewith-a-mental-health-condition/
Somerset dementia wellbeing service www.somersetdementia.org
Age UK
www.ageuk.org.uk/somerset/
www.openmentalhealth.org.uk/support-for-carers