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Are you a young person under 18 who provides regular care and support to a family member?

Tell us about information available to you, and you could be entered into a draw for a £35.00 Amazon gift voucher. Graphic kindly...

Do you look after a family member or friend who couldn’t manage without your support?

Oct 7

Do you look after a family member or friend who couldn’t manage without your support?

Investigating available information for unpaid carers in Somerset. Over 49,000 unpaid carers in Somerset help take care of a family...

May 22

Reports

The People's Vote

Every year Healthwatch Somerset (HWS) Board and Staff members gather information about the delivery and efficiency of local health and...

Collaborative event sets the stage for renewed commitment to Somerset’s unpaid carers

Nov 23, 2023

Collaborative event sets the stage for renewed commitment to Somerset’s unpaid carers

The Somerset Carers Engagement Project recently achieved a significant milestone in its mission to empower and support unpaid carers...

How to look after yourself while caring for someone else

Sep 24, 2023

How to look after yourself while caring for someone else

Each day 6,000 people become carers. Looking after a loved one can be physically and emotionally exhausting so it's vital that you get...

Sep 14, 2023

What is adult social care?

Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below to find out answers to key questions about who can access adult...

What help can you get to pay for your prescriptions?

Aug 28, 2023

What help can you get to pay for your prescriptions?

The cost of living crisis has put many people under financial strain, and prescription costs are more than some can afford. Find out what...

Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report: Working together to improve health and social care

Jun 28, 2023

Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report: Working together to improve health and social care

Last year, we supported over 4,370 people to have their say on health and social care and to get information and advice about local...

Jun 6, 2023

What support can I get as a carer?

Many people who provide unpaid care are unaware of their rights. Find out more about the help and support you are entitled to. If you...

Looking after your oral health while living in a care home

May 30, 2023

Looking after your oral health while living in a care home

Living in a care home can increase your risk of oral health problems. That's why knowing what questions to ask care staff about your oral...

What should you expect after a dementia diagnosis

May 11, 2023

What should you expect after a dementia diagnosis

Receiving a dementia diagnosis can be a life-changing event, but knowing what support is available to you and what steps to take next can...

Evaluating people’s experiences of being transferred from hospital to care at home or in the community

Apr 16, 2023

Evaluating people’s experiences of being transferred from hospital to care at home or in the community

Our new report evaluates people’s experiences of being discharged from hospital to be cared for at home or in a residential or community...

Someone I love has died - where can I find support

Apr 26, 2022

Someone I love has died - where can I find support

Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving. What is grief? Grief is...

Feb 24, 2022

Support for unpaid carers in Somerset

We invited Fiona Harvey, Carers Service Coordinator for the Community Council for Somerset, to tell us about support for unpaid carers in...

Nov 25, 2021

Carers Rights Day – 25 November 2021

Know your rights and get the support you need Carers Rights Day was introduced by Carers UK to draw attention to the multiple rights that...

New public engagement programme to drive improvements in local health and social care

Apr 25, 2021

New public engagement programme to drive improvements in local health and social care

We have announced the areas we will investigate this year, to make sure that local people’s views and experiences are used to drive and...

Somerset care homes – before and during COVID-19: Healthwatch Somerset reports

Sep 27, 2020

Somerset care homes – before and during COVID-19: Healthwatch Somerset reports

Today we have published four reports about care homes in Somerset – three reporting on the quality of care in Somerset care homes prior...

Caring during COVID-19: Healthwatch Somerset shines a spotlight on unpaid care

Jun 7, 2020

Caring during COVID-19: Healthwatch Somerset shines a spotlight on unpaid care

It’s national Carers Week (8-14 June) and we want to know about your experiences of being an unpaid carer or being cared for during...

Bob’s story: Caring for your family in retirement

May 31, 2020