Taunton and West Somerset Locality
Contact the Taunton and West Somerset Team
Serving the Taunton and West area of Somerset: Minehead, Dulverton, Watchet, Taunton and Wellington.
To access support please call locally on 01823 276892 or freephone 0800 138 1692 or email: tauntonwestsomerset@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
Mind in Somerset have a Peer Support Worker who supports individuals experiencing suicidal ideation.
Watch offer a range of courses including self-management and peer support training.
Watch also have a Peer Support Connections Coordinator who facilitates peer support pathways and activity across Sedgemoor.
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)
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 Taunton and West Somerset) and at Mind in Somerset’s Taunton or Minehead offices, as well as over zoom or on the phone, depending on need and preference.
Mind in Somerset delivers the following in-person groups in Taunton and West Somerset:
To learn more about these sessions please email: tauntonwestsomerset@openmentalhealth.org.uk
| Title | Location | Day | Time | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minehead Peer Group | Minehead | Mondays | 12.30-3.30pm | |
| Hearing Voices Group | Taunton | Tuesdays | 2.30-4.30pm | An inpatient peer group at Rydon and Holford wards, runs Tuesdays 10.30-11.30am |
| Wobbly Bus Stop | Taunton | Wednesdays | 10.00am-12.00pm | Peer support |
| Wellington Peer Group | Wellington | Wednesdays | 1-2pm | |
| Creative Arts Group | Watchet | Thursdays | 10am -12pm | |
| Taunton Community Day | Taunton | Saturdays | 12pm-3pm |
Group Support (online)
Mind in Somerset deliver the following online groups (county-wide):
To learn more about these sessions please email: tauntonwestsomerset@openmentalhealth.org.uk
| Title | Day | Time | Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Reading | Tuesdays | 2.00pm-3.30pm | This is a safe and welcoming space to meet new people the focus of the group will be a session of shared reading. Please contact: peersupport@mindinsomerset.org.uk |
| Looking After Me | Tuesdays | 10:30am and 12:00pm | Self-care focused peer group. A welcoming safe space where you can make connections while learning to support your own mental health. For more info please contact victoria.buckler@mindinsomerset.org.uk |
| Getting Online in a Zoom | Wednesdays | 2.30pm-4.00pm | Peer group to support people to access online groupsFeeling isolated? Frightened by IT? Why not join our group to learn the basics of communicating with others online and having fun using Zoom! Our aim is to give people the confidence to use IT/Zoom and to be able to access more online groups in the future. This group is a safe space to meet like-minded people, where you can talk about day-to-day life, share your hobbies and interests, and take part in quizzes! 1-1 support is available (remotely) to help you through the process of joining the online group. Please contact: peersupport@mindinsomerset.org.uk |
| Mindful Crafts Group | Thursdays | 1.30-3.00pm | All are welcome. Bring whatever art or craft you enjoy doing – or just bring yourself. This is an opportunity to meet regularly online and develop craft skills in a calm and supportive environment. We meet every Thursday to chat and be creative together. Please contact: catherine.eldridge@mindinsomerset.org.uk |
| Hearing Voices Group | Wednesdays | 2.00pm-3.00pm | Our Hearing Voices groups provides a safe place for you to talk about your experiences, and the groups are fully facilitated by Mind in Somerset active listeners. You may feel that sometimes these experiences are very distressing and overwhelming, but sharing this can help. On the other hand, you may feel that your voices are positive and supportive but still need a outlet to share with other people. Our philosophy is to never assume to know how voices and visions effect people individually. Just like we are all different physically, we are also different mentally and the effects and the way we cope are different also. We hope that people joining our groups will feel safe, accepted and able to share their experiences with other voice hearers. Contact: peersupport@mindinsomerset.org.uk |
| Embracing Neurodiversity | Wednesdays | 11:00am-12:30am | Do you feel you are different to others or have trouble with connecting and don’t know why? Or you may have been diagnosed and want to know more about living with your difference. Have you come across the word neurodivergent and wondered what this may mean in terms of your experience? Autism, Adhd, dyslexia, brain injury, ptsd and ocd all fit under this umbrella as well as many more. This group will discuss and explore what neurodiversity means to you in a supportive and safe environment. For more info please contact victoria.buckler@mindinsomerset.org.uk |
| Women’s Health Group: Endometriosis support | Monday | 12:00pm-1:30pm | 1 in 10 women are affected by endometriosis/adenomyosis but unfortunately the average length to get a diagnosis is 7 years. This can have a huge impact on wellbeing alongside the pain/illness and challenges faced with living alongside this disease. The women’s health group is a safe space you can come along to meet and chat with others with their own experience of Endometriosis/adenomyosis. The group will not medically advise but will offer a space for support, information and to empower you to advocate for yourself and your medical care. For more info please contact victoria.buckler@mindinsomerset.org.uk |
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.
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.
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.
Eating Disorder Specialists
SWEDA can provide support and guidance sessions for anyone struggling with eating disorders.
Crisis Safe Space
Mind in Somerset provide a Crisis Safe Space