How connected are you?

Recommendations

1. More needs to be done to improve awareness of Somerset Choices.
2. Research on the user friendly experiences of Somerset Choices, and how to improve it based on this should take place.
3. Research needs to take place to discover the best ways of advertising opportunities in local areas in addition to Somerset Choices.
4. For Somerset County Council and Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group to consider the benefits of commissioning support for people who have physical disabilities, and or anxiety issues, to access groups and activities. Support for carers is also key and should feed into the ‘Carer’s strategy’ and new carers support service.
5. After noting the prevalence of the use of social media platforms such as Facebook (46 out of the 108 respondents stated that they use Facebook daily, with 24 others stating that they use it ranging over timescales from two to three times a week, frequently, occasionally or choosing not to say) we recommend that research is taken to maximise the opportunities provided by these platforms to connect people and keep them in touch, particularly people who are housebound and/or geographically isolated.

This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum.