A new mentoring programme across Somerset for people affected by mental illness to give and receive support. Living with mental illness can make people feel alone and isolated – in many ways. Connecting with someone who understands because they too have been affected by mental illness can really help. With a mentor you can talk about what matters, and explore ways to do what you want to do.

We are also looking for volunteers interested in becoming mentors. You will use your lived experience of mental illness as a basis for support. Your role will involve attending pre-arranged mentoring sessions with the person you are connected with. There will be up to eight sessions which can be in person or by phone. You will need to attend a Peer Mentoring Course, over four half days.

For further information or to arrange an informal chat about Peer Mentoring opportunities please contact us.

Swan will be delivering all types of advocacy for Somerset through a single point of contact; these advocacy services were previously provided by Somerset Council through four separate advocacy providers.  This new, comprehensive model of advocacy support ‘all under one roof’ will enable Swan to deliver the ‘Person Centred Approach,’ and will further meet the new requirements under the Care Act, which came into force of April this year. Under the new requirements Local Councils are required to provide an independent advocate to support an individual who is subject to care practices and is finding it difficult to understand the care process, or to speak up for themselves, and who does not have an appropriate person to help them.

This service is here to help when you need advice, have concerns or don’t know where to turn. As a patient, relative or carer, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice and support. This is where the Patient Advice and Liaison Service can help. This service is free and confidential. Our aim is to help sort out any problems or concerns you may have when using health services, agree the best way forward to deal with a problem and get it resolved as quickly as possible. We will do this by: offering advice and support to patients, their families and carers, providing information on NHS services, listening and responding to concerns, suggestions or queries, talking to staff, management and other organisations on your behalf, helping sort problems quickly on your behalf. Write to us: NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, Freepost RRKL-XKSC-ACSG, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8HR or use the on line form at our website.

PROMISEworks is a Somerset-wide mentoring programme for young people between the ages of five and nineteen who are experiencing difficulties at home or with education and training.

The Dementia Advocacy Service is run by Swan Advocacy in Somerset. Our project covers Somerset, Wiltshire and Bath & North East Somerset.

The Dementia Advocacy Service supports people with a concern about their memory or a diagnosis of dementia, to complete a Living Well Plan.

A Living Well Plan is a record of your hopes and preferences for the future. It allows you the opportunity to reflect on your past, identify things that are important to you today, whilst expressing your hopes and wishes for the future.

Please contact for more information.

If you have a mental health issue or experience emotional distress, it can be difficult to express your wishes and represent your own interests to people who provide your care and treatment. MIND Advocacy help you to speak up for yourself and ensure your views and opinions are listened to.

Can support you with an NHS complaint.

Are you a young person receiving support from services for mental health or drug and alcohol problems? Is it now time for your support to transfer to Adult Services? We know this can be a time of big change and you may be worried about losing support or that people are not listening to you about what you need. If you feel your voice is not being heard and you would like help to say what you want, an independent advocate might be able to help.

Somerset Advocacy is an independent, not for profit organisation based in Taunton, providing a countywide advocacy service for vulnerable people who require support to have a “voice” in their lives.

If you are a Child receiving services from Children’s Social Care you could ask for an advocate:-

• if you are worried or upset about something,
• or if things are changing for you – perhaps you are moving placements or going to a new school.
• an advocate can come with you to your review or other meetings about you.
• The Advocates can also help you if you want make a complaint or resolve an issue.

A child In Care is also entitled to an Independent Visitor.

• An Independent Visitor can visit you often.
• Help you with your hobbies and interests
• Explore new ideas and interests

Stalking is a pattern of repeated and persistent unwanted behaviour that is intrusive and engenders fear, it is when one person becomes fixated or obsessed with another and the attention is unwanted. Threats may not be made but victims may still feel scared. Importantly threats are not required for the criminal offence of stalking to be prosecuted.

Paladin is a trauma-informed service established to assist high risk victims of stalking in England and Wales. Our unique team of accredited Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISACs) ensure that high risk victims of stalking are supported and that a coordinated community response is developed locally to keep victims and their children safe.

Seeking to provide access to specialist advice, advocacy and casework under Community Care Legislation in Somerset, get legal advice about the NHS, Social Services and Disability Rights. Ensuring that the most vulnerable people in our society do not suffer through lack of information or advice about their rights to Community Care under the Law. Working with multidisciplinary partners to achieve the best possible outcomes for people, we aim to help build a healthy, informed and caring community.