Healthwatch Somerset

03/11/2026

Don't miss your chance to have your say about services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in . Good or bad, child or parent or guardian carer, your voice matters.
The surveys are voluntary, and feedback will be treated confidentially by the inspection team.
Please share this with anyone you think may be interested.
Survey links are in the post below and need to be completed before 9:00am on Tuesday 10 November 2026.

📢 Ofsted and CQC Area SEND Inspection: Share Your Experience

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are carrying out an inspection of services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in Somerset.

As part of the inspection, inspectors want to hear directly from children and young people with SEND, parents and carers, and practitioners. They will use this feedback to help them understand people's experiences of SEND services and support across Somerset.

🔹 Children and Young People Survey
https://ofsted.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/AreaSEND-CYP/10445129

🔹 Parent/Carer Survey
https://ofsted.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/AreaSEND-ParentCarer/10445129

🔹 Parent/Carer Survey (Easy Read)
https://ofsted.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/AreaSEND-ParentCarer-EasyRead/10445129

The surveys are voluntary, and responses will be treated confidentially by the inspection team.

📅 The surveys are open from 2 November and will close at 9:00am on Tuesday 10 November 2026.

Please take this opportunity to share your experiences and views directly with inspectors.

02/11/2026

Join us today at the Kings Arms Community Hub in Wellington for the first 'Get ready for winter event'. 🥶
Find out what support is available in and how to manage the winter months. Thrive Somerset's Crisis and Resilience Agents and many other organisations are ready to have a friendly chat with you.
Discover energy saving tips, how to stay warm and well fed, and where you can ask for help if you need it. 🍲
For all the 'Get ready for winter' event locations and dates go to: https://thrivesomerset.org.uk/events/

Get Ready for Winter in Wellington

Winter can bring extra pressures, but support is available.

Join our Crisis and Resilience Agents for a free, friendly chat about the help and support available in your community. Whether you're looking for advice, information or simply want to know what's out there, we're here to help.

Monday 2 November
10:30 to 12:30
The Kings Arms Community Hub
4 High Street, Wellington, TA21 8RA

Support when you need it most. One conversation can open the door to support across Somerset. Get in touch with our Agent today and visit https://tinyurl.com/jzyf6kfa

For more information about the Crisis Resilience Fund and support available visit: https://citizensadvicesomerset.org.uk/crisis-resilience.../

Please share this post with your friends, family, networks and groups.



Citizens Advice Somerset

29/10/2026

On Wednesday 28 October there were a lot of important announcements from the Budget but, beyond that we received an important surprise announcement ourselves.
Local Healthwatch and Healthwatch England are to be retained and strengthened. Your independent voice around health and care will remain in legislation.
What does this mean for you?
- We will be here beyond March 2028 to listen to your experiences of health and care services in
- We will continue to use your anonymised feedback to help shape services and infleunce change with service providers like Somerset Council and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
- We will continue to shape our work around what you tell us and support change to happen with you, not to you
- We will continue to provide free information and advice, and to help you to find the services you need in health and care

Thank you to everyone who supported us while we waited to hear about the future of Healthwatch local.🫶

Today, the Government announced that local Healthwatch organisations and Healthwatch England will be retained and strengthened, ensuring that patients’ and the public’s experiences play a greater role in improving health and social care services.

We are delighted that the Government has recognised the value of Healthwatch and our role as an independent champion for patients and the public.

This decision also recognises the outstanding work and professionalism of staff and volunteers across Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations, particularly during what has been a challenging period.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to work with Healthwatch and support our work. Your commitment helps ensure that people’s voices are heard and that their experiences can contribute to better health and social care services. Read our full response in the comment.

26/10/2026

A date for your diary - join us and many others at Bridgwater Arts Centre on Saturday 21 November for a day of fun and entertainment. This event celebrates and and is brought to you anually by the Bridgwater Together team. We hope to see you there. 🎉

Join us for Bridgwater Together, it is a free event. There will be live music, performances, face painting, games, family activities, workshops, stalls and free food to taste from countries around the world.

Saturday 21 November
11am - 3pm
Bridgwater Arts Centre, TA6 3BL

Everyone is welcome.



Bridgwater Here and Now

MingleCafe
Bridgwater Arts Centre

26/10/2026

We love this reminder from UK Health Security Agency that a simple action can help reduce the spread of winter germs. So help protect the most vulnerable and cough like dracula this winter. Spread the message not the germs 😷

Been coffin... sorry, coughing? ⚰️🧛
When you're caught without a tissue, cover your mouth with your elbow to stop germs from spreading this Halloween and beyond. This simple move can help keep everyone healthy. 🦇

23/10/2026

The clocks go back this weekend so we are looking back (and forward) at the amazing work of the Christmas Sparkle Project.
Last year this amazing project wrapped and delivered 2,253 parcels to children aged 0-18 years living in difficult circumstances in the Taunton and Wellington community.
This year you can support them in many ways including volunteering some of your time to help wrap the presents. Find all the details on their website https://www.christmas-sparkle.org/ and follow them on Facebook for updates about their progress and donation methods.🤗🫶

22/10/2026

There are still places available for the Wellington Wacky Wednesday on 28 October at Wellington Sports Centre. Booking is essential so scan the QR code to secure your tickets. Call Shona if you have any questions about the event: 07921 387227.
We hope to see you there 😁

Bookings are open now for out Autumn event. Just scan the QR code and takes you right through to the booking page! Look forward to seeing you all at the event 😀

20/10/2026

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are looking at their five year Community Risk Management Plan. The plan sets out the fire and rescue related risks in the area and what they intend to do about them.
The service are asking people to share their thoughts on the draft plan, this will help them to ensure it is relevant to the communities it serves.
To read the draft, take part in the survey, and find details for the online question and answers sessions go to: https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/about-us/community-risk-plan

Want to find out more about how we identify risks and what we do about them?

Join one of our question and answer sessions to find out how we developed our draft five-year plan.

If you can’t make one of these dates but have questions about the draft plan, get in touch [email protected] or 01392 261287.

Don’t forget to tell us what you think by filling in the short consultation survey https://orlo.uk/Wx4R8

16/10/2026

Great news for Somerset! 🎉 Healthwatch Somerset has secured funding through to March 2028, so we can keep being the independent voice for people using health and social care services across the county. Read more about what this means for local communities and our work ahead: https://wix.to/lzCFXna

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news about the future of Healthwatch Somerset. Our funding has been extended until the end of March 2028, meaning we can continue to be the independent voice for people using health and social care services across Somerset.

08/10/2026

Anyone who has been affected by cancer will know how important it is to have people with experience to turn to. The CASC - Cancer Awareness & Support Cafes are run by volunteers who have experience of cancer. The cafes offer a pressure free space to connect with people, including family and friends, who are cancer experienced. If you, or someone you know, have been affected by cancer and can spare a few hours a week then consider helping to host a Cancer Cafe in your area. More details in the post below or find out more on their website: https://cascorg.info/

📢 Help us run our friendly, peer-support cafes in Somerset!

CASC (Cancer Awareness & Support Cafes) is seeking volunteers to help at our regular events, providing attendees with a warm welcome, a listening ear and simple signposting where appropriate.

You may have been through a cancer journey yourself, helped a loved one through cancer, or supported people living with cancer in a professional capacity.

📍 Support our monthly cafes in Bridgwater, Burnham, Highbridge and Woolavington, and in Glastonbury twice a month. We also have plans to set up cafes in more locations.

☕ Greet new and regular attendees, helping them to feel at ease and ensuring refreshments are provided.

ℹ Support us to provide signposting and information about screening and other cancer services, local groups and other types of assistance.

🗣 Share your lived experience of cancer, or of supporting others through cancer.

⌚ We're seeking volunteers who can commit to around 2 hours per month.

🤝 In return we can offer expenses, free refreshments, training and support, and away days.

👉 Please contact us if you'd like to get involved, or for an informal discussion about the role. Email us at [email protected] or contact us via our website https://cascorg.info