The NHS has launched their Volunteer Responders Check in and Chat service; phone calls that can provide a listening ear and a friendly chat for those who many have been recently discharged from hospital or are simply looking for some companionship.

If you, someone you know, or someone you care for would like support or have any questions about the Volunteer Responder programme please call 0808 196 3646 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week)

We work from a preventative angle to help vulnerable people maintain their independence and stay in their homes.

We have a wider team which includes Occupational Therapists, Adult Social Care Workers, Caseworker, a Minor Adaptations team and a team of Grants and Technical Officers who help to oversee Disabled Facility Grants. The team is based out of our Independent Advice Centres, which will be a sort of one stop shop for all needs.

A Caseworker will come to do an initial assessment of the client around their mobility, finances, and home safety. This can lead on to other parts of our service, helping them to move, or signposting on to other appropriate agencies.

In South Somerset, home adaptations up to £1000 are available if you are eligible.

The Red Cross helps people following a stay in hospital 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 offers weekly visits or calls for up to 6 weeks maximum duration.

Referrals are accepted from GPs, hospitals, social workers and individuals. The coordinators will ask a series of eligibility questions and any offer is subject to capacity.

No Domestic or personal care is undertaken.

We are the first point of contact for all Somerset GP patients enquiring about transport to their NHS appointments. We assess patients’ eligibility on their medical need, mobility and various other factors and if suitable can provide free car, W/C Taxi or ambulance transportation. Our lines are open from 08:30 – 18:30 Monday to Friday.

Somerset County Council Sensory loss teams are trained to work with people with sight loss. Workers can visit the home and arrange to provide support to keep independence. Services include provision of equipment, rehabilitation, and advice and information.

For the hire of mobility aids including wheelchairs. Delivery costs £10 and Pick up £10 as well as donation for the hire depending on the item. Cost no barrier for those not able to donate.

Somerset County Council have now replaced the Somerset Micro-provider Directory with a new care brokerage or matching tool. This ‘Find a Micro-provider’ will help families and professionals connect directly with Micro-providers who have capacity to support. To use this tool please click the link below:

Peace of mind for independent living. Personal pendant alarm giving reassurance and help at home, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. See website for prices.

A national charity for the elderly, the terminally ill and their pets offering peace of mind and practical help such as dog walking and fostering.

The Cinnamon Trust is a national network of over 15,000 community service volunteers has been established to provide practical help when any aspect of day to day care of pets pose a problem, 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.

The service is available to all adults who are having problems carrying out everyday activities and want to work towards enhancing their quality of life through achievable goal setting to improve their ability to do the things that matter to them.

PAPAS offers free practical help such as dog walking, respite care, fostering, grooming, transporting pets to the vets and administering basic medical care. Offering an alternative to pet rehoming, abandonment, neglect or even having a loved cat, dog or other pet, put-to-sleep during the owner’s period of ill health; thereby alleviating any distress a pet owner might suffer, enabling them to make a quicker recovery.

A free support service by trained volunteers for terminally ill people and their carers.

Marie Curie helper service support people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support to help them get the most from the time they have left as well as support for the carers.

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 e.g. 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.