By Tanya Camberwell, Healthwatch Somerset Engagement Officer
We want to reach as many different and diverse communities as possible from across Somerset, to tell people about our work, to give them an opportunity to share their views, and to help them find the health and care services they need.
In 2021, we attended a wide range of community festivals, venues, and meetings, and joined many voluntary and community sector events, both out and about and online.
I took part in two ‘Together’ events supported by the Community Council Somerset Diverse Communities team. Yeovil Together, took place outdoors at Mudford Park, Yeovil during the last week of July; they were blessed with beautiful weather, and it was a busy day full of cultural activities and music. The Bridgwater Together event, took place in the Town Hall in Bridgwater and was equally packed with people, food, music, talks and activities; another wonderful event to meet more people face-to-face.
In the last few months, I have been learning about the great work of Somewhere House in Burnham-on-Sea, whose mission is to provide a therapeutic service for anyone who chooses to access support in the local community. They aim to reach individuals who most need help through a variety of services including low-cost counselling, educational workshops, and community projects. I joined their monthly coffee mornings which are open to anyone and provide refreshments and cakes on a donation only basis.
Their Christmas event (Photo credit: Burnham-on-Sea.com) was covered by the local newspaper: Burnham charity Somewhere House Somerset holds Christmas ‘coffee and chat’
I want to thank everyone (Mulțumesc, Dziękuję, Ačiū, Obrigado, Blagodarya ti), who supported me with these events and to the wonderful people of Somerset for their contributions and interest in our work, have a wonderful festive season.
If you have a meeting, event, or group that we could visit or join online in 2022, do please get in touch.