Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership’s (SASP) Healthy Happy Holidays initiative is set to return for the 2023 school winter break as part of the Government’s Holiday, Activity and Food programme. Teaming up with Somerset Council, SASP will deliver a program of activities designed to help tackle inequalities in holiday hunger, physical inactivity, and social isolation for children eligible for Free School Meals.
Young people aged 5-16 are eligible for 4 days of activities between Monday 18 December to Thursday 21 December, with bookings opening on Wednesday 29 November. To book activities, parents and carers will need to have their unique booking code provided by their child’s school or referrer. This provision is for children on benefits related free school meals.
For more information and to find out how to book, visit the SASP website here.
Tellmi is a safe, anonymous app for young people where you can talk about absolutely anything. From anxiety to autism, dating to depression, or self-harm to self-esteem, sharing your experiences with their awesome community helps you to feel better.
Moderators check everything to keep their users safe and their in-house counsellors are always on hand for those who need extra support.
Find out more and download the app by visiting the link below.
Happy Mojos is a way of life. As a children’s activity provider in Somerset, Happy Mojos use creative play to help support the mental wellbeing of children. In their classes and clubs, children have fun in an environment where they can be still, loud, active, creative and mindful, whilst feeling empowered, nurtured, supported, encouraged and respected.
Their fun and creative play sessions give children the confidence to cope with life around them. They learn how to understand emotions and express themselves; building positive relationships with others, whilst having the best time!
Happy Mojos offer school holiday and after school clubs in Somerset. Visit their website to find out more or find a group near you.
Brainwave are a UK-wide children’s charity, based in Bridgwater, who help children with disabilities to achieve greater independence.
Brainwave’s qualified therapists can assess your child through work, play and situations similar to your daily routine. They can develop a Home-Based Therapy Programme tailored to your child’s needs, teach parents how to deliver the Programme at home and provide in-depth therapy reports that can be sent to your NHS or private medical professionals.
You can visit their centre in Bridgwater for assessments or to access their Speech and Language, Physio and Sensory Integration therapies. If you are unable to visit their centres, you can access their therapies via Brainwave Online.
For more information, visit the website or get in touch on the details below.
The Bridge is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) offering medical care, emotional and psychological support, and practical help to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted – no matter when or where it happened. Their specialist team will be there for you if you are:
• An adult or child, living in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath & North East Somerset or Somerset.
• A child, living in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire or Swindon.
The Bridge can help you by giving you space to talk about what happened to you and discussing your options. They will offer medical care, a forensic medical examination and sexual health care as well as emotional and psychological support, arranging counselling should you want it. They can also give you information and support about making a report to the police.
The Bridge also offer information and support to friends and family if someone you care about has been affected by rape or serious sexual assault.
When you’re ready to get in touch, you can contact The Bridge at any time for free, confidential advice, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Somerset Phoenix is a small service provided by Barnardo’s and Somerset & Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (SARSAS). They offer support, training, consultation, and signposting to professionals supporting children, young people and families affected by child sexual abuse (CSA).
Whether you’re looking for resources or information or want support, visit the Somerset Phoenix Project website or get in contact using the details below.
Somerset Phoenix are are not a referral service or a crisis service. If you need crisis intervention, the group has a list of contacts for you to get in touch with.
The Victoria Park Community Centre hosts a Junior Youth Group where young people are given the opportunity to take part in activities, games, and arts and crafts, encouraging them to do something new and different.
The Youth Group is open to young people aged between 8 – 12 years and meets every Thursday during Term Time from 4.30pm – 6pm.
For more information, get in touch using the details below.
Warm Welcome spaces are opening their doors across Sedgemoor, providing a warm, comfortable place for people to go amid the Cost-of-Living Crisis.
They are based in community venues and each space has something different to offer; some may be able to provide free food, activities, support with your wellbeing, or even somewhere to charge your phone or use a computer.
Find your nearest Warm Welcome space, when it’s open and what facilities are available via the link below.
Family Rights Group promotes policies and practices that keep children safe within their family and strengthen the family and community networks of those children who cannot live at home.
They provide advice for parents, grandparents, relatives and friends including kinship carers in England. Their expert advisers are all experienced lawyers, social workers or family rights advocates.
Visit the website for easy-to-follow, online advice or call the freephone telephone service, open Monday-Friday 9.30am – 3pm.
A weekly youth club, open to young people aged 8-14 years, running every Tuesday (term time) 6.30 – 8.30 pm (including half term).
The youth club is held at Cheddar Methodist Hall, Cliff Street, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3PL.
Fees are £1 per week to include refreshments.
Bridgwater United Community Sports Trust delivers sport, education, social inclusion and wellbeing programmes to Unite, Inspire and Empower stronger communities.
A range of physical activity offers will be available for ages 1+, such as Walking Football (Ages 50+) and United Health (Ages 16+) which promotes hollistic wellbeing.
To book sessions, please visit http://www.bridgwaterunitedcst.com/
All sessions are held at Bridgewater and Taunton College, Bath Road, Bridgewater, TA6 4PZ.
The Volunteer Network is a charity that’s been for for over 20 years in the South West, supporting anyone aged 14-30 years old and helping them achieve their goals, no matter how big or small.
They do this through volunteering events, work experiences, apprenticeships, training, support, mentoring and so much more.
If you’re thinking of volunteering, or want to see the kind of projects The Volunteer Network run, check out their website or give them a call.
The Space offers no charge play therapy and counselling to young people aged 4-17 years for children and young people who live or who are educated in the Cheddar Valley area. They have an allotment well-being plot, and offer out-of-term activities by way of outdoor pursuits or creative arts.
To find out more, visit the website below or view their Facebook page.
Young Somerset provide Targeted Youth Support for Young People which includes:
Young Somerset also provide Mental Health and Wellbeing Support for Children, Young People and Parents, which includes:
For more information about any of their services, visit the website or get in touch on the contact details below.
Sea Cadets Bridgwater (SCB) offers a different type of adventure to young people in the community whilst giving them the physical, intellectual and social skills and guidance they need to thrive in a complex world. Through learning both on and off the water, Sea Cadets will learn the value of working towards and achieving goals whilst making new friends.
SCB provide a safe and positive learning environment for children aged 10-18 years of age, run by fully trained volunteers.
The group runs Tuesdays & Thursdays from 7pm – 9:15pm at the SCC Unit on Bridgwater Docks, Seaward Dr, Bridgwater TA6 3FJ.
There is a £3 fee per night.
To find out more or to get in touch, use the details below or go to their facebook page.
In Charley’s Memory is a Highbridge-based counselling service that offers 1:1 support for children and young people aged 11-25 who might be struggling with their mental health, and have recently expanded their services to help support anyone aged 26+.
They aim to make support services more accessible to young people who might be suffering with issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders or suicidal thoughts. They also strive to advance education and knowledge around mental health in the wider community.
If you feel you or a loved one needs help, then please get in contact by phone or email to arrange a initial assessment, or visit their website for more information.
ERIC is the national charity dedicated to improving children’s bowel and bladder health. Their mission is to reduce the impact of continence problems on children and their families.
Their website, listed below, offers resources and advice on continence problems. They also have a free helpline that is open Monday to Thursday, 10am – 2pm if you would like to speak to an adviser.
Contact details are listed below.
HOPELINEUK advisers want to work with you to understand why thoughts of suicide might be present. They also want to provide you with a safe space to talk through anything happening in your life that could be impacting on your or anyone else’s ability to stay safe.
The helpline is free and confidential and is available from 9am – midnight 365 days a year.
Kooth.com is a free, safe, confidential and non-stigmatised way for young people to receive counselling, advice and support on-line. Kooth delivers thousands of counselling sessions each year to young people aged 11-18. Available until 10pm each night, 365 days per year. Free.
A young person can access Kooth by going to www.kooth.com and signing up to use its features.
Mindline Trans+ provides a safe place to talk about your feelings confidentially. They don’t record calls and they don’t ask for any personal details. You don’t have to tell us your name.
Their listeners will try and understand the multitude of feelings and concerns that may be going on for you.
The Mindline Trans+ volunteers are trained in telephone counselling skills and have lived experience of being trans or non-binary. Occasionally calls may be taken by trans allies.
Phonelines are open Mondays & Fridays from 8pm – midnight.
If you are a child in 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. You could also have an advocate come with you to your review or other meetings about you. Advocates can also help you if you want make a complaint or resolve an issue.
CYPSomerset is the Somerset Children & Young People Health & Wellbeing website, hosted by Public Health’s Children and Young People’s Team, to support schools, colleges and Early Years settings – or anyone else that works with or cares for young people – to improve their health and wellbeing.
Their new LifeHacks initiative is an online resource that offers downloadable PDF resources such as posters and books that are packed with ideas and tips on how children and young people can look after their mental health.
Route 1’s Advocates and Independent Visitors are volunteer roles that encourage their volunteers to work alongside children to ensure their voices are heard or make a long-term committment to a child in care, building a trusting, supportive relationship.
If you’re interested in acting as an advocate, an independent visitor or both and want to improve the wellbeing of vulnerble children, go to their website for more information.
The Early Help offer in Somerset is not just for young children, as problems can emerge at any point throughout childhood and adolescence. The Early Help offer includes universal and targeted services designed to reduce and prevent problems escalating or becoming entrenched.
If you have a child 0-19 or are a young person, Early Help may be able to help with any of the following: sleep routines, tantrums, fussy eating, potty training, money management, housing, return to work, child development, domestic abuse, healthy eating, breast feeding, managing behaviour, relationships, independent living.
Alternatively if you just want to talk, contact us by phone.
StreetLink exists to help end rough sleeping by enabling members of the public to connect people sleeping rough with the local services that can support them.
SWEDA offer a wide range of services to those affected by eating disorders in Somerset and the surrounding counties. Having an eating disorder or supporting someone who has can be a painful and distressing experience. For more information and support for yourself or somebody you know who has been affected by an eating disorder, visit their website or phone them on the number below, Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm (please leave a message on the answerphone and someone will call you back).
If you are a young person living in Somerset, you may find that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning your sexuality or gender identity can be exciting as you discover who you are. There are times, however, when it can also be difficult and challenging.
2BU Somerset provides a specialist support service serving the needs of young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ+) people aged 11-25 across Somerset.
To find out more, visit the 2BU website or get in touch via social media or the contact details below.
Social media: Facebook/Twitter – @2BUsomerset, Instagram – @Its_OK_2BU
Somerset Wide Integrated Sexual Health (SWISH) services provide free and confidential contraceptive and sexual health support to Somerset residents aged 13 and over. We offer many forms of contraception, testing for a rage of sexually transmitted infections, Pre and Post exposure prophylaxis for exposure to HIV (PrEP and PEPSE), pregnancy testing, psychosexual counselling, emergency contraception and more. Visit our website for clinic locations and opening hours.
You can order an online STI testing kit from www.sh.uk
Follow us on Social Media!
Instagram: www.instagram.com/swishservices
Twitter: www.twitter.com/swishservices
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swishservice
MindEd is for you if you work, volunteer or are studying to work with infants, children, teenagers or adults and older people. MindEd has elearning applicable across the health, social care, education, criminal justice and community settings. It is aimed at anyone from beginner through to specialist. View their Session Brochure to see their full catalogue of elearning sessions.
The MindEd Tips and Resources Hub offers quick access learning for professionals working across health and education settings. The Tips and Resources Hub features accessible tips and resources for professionals on feeding problems and eating disorders, top tips for education staff, and wellbeing tips for blue light service staff. The hub also provides coronavirus staff resilience tips, created to support frontline staff working through the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Somerset Children and Young People’s Health & Wellbeing had an area of the website that provides support to schools, colleges and Somerset ‘getset’ services about mental health and emotional health & wellbeing.
It brings together key information and recommended websites for staff working with children and young people in Somerset.
The toolkit includes information about:
• What can be done in children and young people’s settings, including schools and colleges, to promote mental health
• How children and young people experiencing mental health problems (and their families) can be supported in educational and ‘getset’ service settings
• Support and services available in Somerset
Relate provide relationship counselling, family counselling, mediation, children’s counselling, young people’s counselling and sex therapy. We also provide friendly and informal workshops for people at important stages in their relationships. They’re there to help you make the most of your couple and family relationships, past, present or future.
To find which services would best suit your needs or to find your nearest Relate centre, visit their website.
Parent & Family Support Advisors (PFSAs) work with school-aged children who might require additional support, and their families. They work within Somerset County Council’s Early Help Framework to enable high-quality support for children/young people and families at the earliest possible stage.
PFSAs work closely and collaboratively with schools, families and other support services in order to improve attendance, engagement and outcomes for children. The needs of the child/young person or family form the basis of all work completed. Where there is a need for support from other services, PFSAs can act as Lead Professional.
PFSAs are only able to engage in work with families with their informed consent and agreement, and work on a referral-based system through schools. If you’d like to know more or find out whether your child’s school can refer you to a PFSA, get in touch with the school’s Principal or the appropriate Head of Year.
National Express off three different Coachcards, each offering savings of 1/3 on all of their Standard and Fully Flexible coach fares all year round.
The three types of Coachcard include:
• Senior Coachcard – For those 60 years or over.
• Young Persons Coachcard – For those who are between 16 and 26 years old.
• Disabled Coachcard – For anyone who has a disability.
For more information, visit their website.
Somerset County Council (SCC) provides support, advice and respite breaks for children and young people under 18 who have substantial caring responsibilities at home.
SCC can:
• Answer your questions and give you advice on anything you need to know
• Give you useful information, which can help you and your family
• Introduce you to other young people who are in similar situations to you
• Speak out for you, making sure that your feelings and wishes are heard
• Run regular groups, where you can take part in exciting and new activities, have a break from home life, and have fun with friends
• Provide trips and activities during the year that can also give you a break and support from your caring role
• Talk to your school about what being a young carer means for you
• Signpost you to other organisations that can support you
For more information on what resources are available, visit the website.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer it threatens everything – for them and their family. At a time when they should be busy being children, enjoying their rollercoaster teenage years or finding their feet at uni, life becomes full of fear. Fear of treatment, but also of families being torn apart, of overwhelming money worries, mental health stretched to breaking point, of having nowhere to turn, no one to talk to.
Young Lives vs Cancer are the charity that helps children and young people (0-25) and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them.
Everyone is different, so Young Lives vs Cancer work hard to make sure each family has what they need to get through cancer. It could be a financial grant for a parent struggling to keep their child warm through their treatment, or for a young person who can’t afford to get to hospital. It might be helping a family stay together at one of the charity’s free Homes from Home close to the hospital where their child is having treatment.
And they think families aren’t being heard by the whole system, Young Lives vs Cancer aren’t afraid to raise their voices or shout on their behalf. Children and young people with cancer deserve the same opportunities as anyone else.
We provide confidential support, information and guidance to families and professionals throughout the UK. Our professionally trained bereavement support workers are available to take calls 9am–4:30pm Monday-Friday.
Winston’s Wish charity supports bereaved children, young people, their families and the professionals who support them.
Winston’s Wish provides emotional and practical bereavement support to children, young people and those who care for them. Our expert teams offer one off and ongoing bereavement support and we also provide online resources, specialist publications and training for professionals.
To see how Winston’s Wish can support you, visit the website or get in touch using the details below.
