South Somerset Locality
Contact the South Somerset Team
Serving the South Somerset area of Somerset: Chard, Ilminster, Crewkerne, Yeovil & Wincanton.
To access support please call locally on 01823 276892 or freephone 0800 138 1692 or email: southsomerset@openmentalhealth.org.uk
If you work with mental health patients, the Open Mental Health alliance can provide access to a range of specialist services to help you support adults in Somerset struggling with their mental health, learn more here.
The support you need, when you need it
To learn more about our specialist services please click on the + icon
Peer Support
WATCH offers a range of courses including self-management and peer support, health and wellbeing and training to volunteer within Open Mental Health.
WATCH has a Peer Support Connections Coordinator who facilitates peer support pathways and activity across South Somerset. They also work alongside a Peer Group Worker whose role is to support the forming and development of Peer Support groups.
Rethink Mental Illness have volunteer Peer Mentors that can provide 1:1 peer support to people experiencing mental distress.
Online Peer Support from WATCH
Self-Management Workshops
Open Mental Health provides workshops to support people who are ready to explore, with peers, their mental health and wellbeing. The workshops cover:
• How to elevate mood and reduce feelings of isolation
• Empower you to improve your own wellbeing
• Understand resilience and how to improve it
• Form supportive relationships with your peers in the workshop
• Leave the workshop with a toolkit of ideas to help you maintain your own wellbeing.
These free Self-Management Workshops run throughout the year for adults over 18.
Please visit the WATCH website to learn more >>
If you would like further information about the Self-Management Workshops or to sign up please contact info@watchproject.org.uk
1:1 and Group Support (in person)
The Balsam Centre and Mind in Somerset provide flexible, holistic 1:1 support from Open Mental Health Recovery and Wellbeing Workers. This support can be delivered either in person in individuals’ homes or community venues (anywhere in South Somerset), as well as over zoom or on the phone, depending on need and preference.
Open Mental Health partners deliver the following in-person groups in South Somerset:
To learn more about these sessions please email: southsomerset@openmentalhealth.org.uk
| Title | Location | Day | Time | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecotherapy (The Balsam Centre) | Ham Hill, Stoke-sub-Hamdon | Monday | 10.30am start | Outdoors activity, limited accessibility due to terrain |
| North Star (The Balsam Centre) | Yeovil | Monday | 10am-12pm | For younger people living with Autism |
| Men’s Wellbeing Group (The Balsam Centre) | Yeovil | Tuesday | 2pm – 4pm | Starting at Trinity Foyer, Peters Street, Yeovil |
| Vanessa Gardening Project | Yeovil | Tuesday | 11am – 1pm | Mind in Somerset, Trinity Foyer, Peters Street |
| Wellbeing Friends | Yeovil | Tuesday | 11am – 1pm | Mind in Somerset, Trinity Foyer, Peters Street |
| Community Day | Yeovil | Wednesday | 10am – 4pm | Anyone one welcome to turn up on the day Mind in Somerset, Trinity Foyer, Peters Street |
| WATCH Peer Project | Chard | Wednesday (for new members) Thursday | 10am – 2pm 10am – 4pm | Small fee to cover costs Chard Rugby Club |
| Youth Matters Support Group | Yeovil | Wednesday | 7pm – 8.30pm | For info email Youth.Matters@mindinsomerset.org.uk |
| 5 Ways to Wellbeing (The Balsam Centre) | Yeovil | Thursday (starting 4th September 2024) | 10.30am – 12pm | Yeovil Baptist Church Hall. Contact Carol on 07784698720. |
| Somerset Wellbeing Friends | Frome | Fridays | 10-12.15pm | Living skills and coping strategies |
Psychologists, mental health nurses, occupational therapists
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust are able to offer assessment and treatment interventions for people of all ages with a range of mental health difficulties including those with very complex needs, or mental health difficulties that mean someone is a risk to themselves or other people. Support is mainly offered in the community although there are inpatient wards for people needing treatment in hospital.
There are different teams and individuals that offer specific interventions, these include, home treatment (crisis support), perinatal, early psychosis, assertive outreach, employment support, forensic, eating disorder, Memory Assessment, wellbeing clinics, dual diagnosis, specialist psychological interventions and many more.
Interventions include a wide range of therapies, brief psychological interventions, crisis support, medication (prescribing, administering and support), wellbeing advice, and courses.
Housing, money and benefits support
Specialist Citizen’s Advice caseworkers can provide support for people experiencing mental health difficulties who also have needs around debt and money advice, benefits access, housing, employment and discrimination.
Older and Young People Specialists
Age UK Somerset can provide telephone support for older adults who are experiencing mental distress.
We’ve Got This is a peer support group offering support to young people aged 16-25 to feel more positive about themselves, by providing them with fun, safe and purposeful environments.
Young Somerset provide support for young people through The Big Tent. Empowering young people to find the right wellbeing support at the right time for them.
Peer support groups for younger people are also offered by Mind in Somerset’s Youth Matters in Langport, Yeovil and Chard.
Eating Disorder Specialists
Somerset and Wessex Easting Disorder Association (SWEDA) can support anyone anyone affected by eating disorders, and have a dedicated Community Worker and Counsellor for South Somerset. SWEDA also work closely Somerset Partnership’s Eating Disorders team and CAMHS eating disorder team.
Group Support (online)
To learn more about these sessions please email: southsomerset@openmentalhealth.org.uk
| Title | Day | Time | Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Reading | Tuesdays | 2-3.30pm | ||
| Self Management Workshop | WATCH | Tuesday | 10am – 12pm | 8 week course |
| Watcharama | WATCH | Friday | 1pm – 3pm | Facilitated online Peer Support Forum, as an extension to, and for those unable to attend the Project days in Chard |
| Pathways to Learning | WATCH | Tuesday | 1pm – 3pm | Facilitated online Peer Support forum exploring and sharing ideas for wellbeing and local ‘what’s on’ discussions |
| Youth Matters Peer Support Group | Mind in Somerset | Wednesday | 7pm – 8.30pm | For info email Youth.Matters@mindinsomerset.org.uk |
Crisis Safe Space
Mind in Somerset provide Crisis Safe Space in Yeovil, for anyone who feel they are really struggling with their mental health. Crisis Safe Space offers a safe and comfortable place for someone in crisis to access one-to-one support when they need it most.
Crisis Safe Space is open Monday – Sunday: 6pm – 11pm and Weekends: 12pm – 4pm.
Appointments can be booked online on the Crisis Safe Space page on this website or accessed by calling Somerset Mindline.