Support Groups

Wellbeing groups

HCRG Care Group deliver a range of courses offered to the local community both online and in-person.. Wellbeing Courses are free and aim to help people be more active, build confidence, learn new skills, manage a person's overall wellbeing and connect with others. The courses are available for people aged 16 and above, who live, work, or are registered with a GP in BaNES.

The Active Way Hub operates in the Somer Valley and works with a range of local partners. It promotes a range of active travel, including cycling, walking and wheeling. The Hub is available for all age groups. The Hub supports people to help them build confidence, motivation, knowledge and skills to engage with walking and cycling activities long-term.

Village Agents provide a signposting and referral service for people living in rural locations or are isolated by other circumstances and where access to information is difficult. Those who are unsure what they want (because they have never been asked or always managed without) are encouraged to take small steps towards a more comfortable life, living independently and with peace of mind. The team arrange home visits or can meet at a place where the person feels at ease. They also support people in reconnecting with local support networks.

Carers

The Carers’ Centre offer a range of services to help unpaid carers focus on their health and wellbeing, connect with others in a similar situation and navigate the challenges of caring for someone. They offer a support line; in-depth support sessions; specific support for carers of loved ones with dementia on leaving hospital; planning for emergencies, and wellbeing activities to take a break from caring and meet others. They support both young and adult carers from the age of five upwards.

Dementia Support

The Alzheimer's Society offers a Dementia support service providing information and practical guidance to help people understand dementia, cope with day-to-day challenges and prepare for the future. The service offers information to people who are worried about their memory and ongoing support to people affected by dementia face to face, over the phone or in writing.

Older people's groups

Age UK can help people over the age 60+ with a range of services including information and advice, managing at home, home from hospital. They also organise a range of activities including running social groups, memory groups, cook and eat, snack and chat, singing, volunteering, befriending and digital inclusion. They provide social and active groups for older people across Bath, Keynsham and Somer Valley. Digital inclusion provides IT support for older people at our click cafe and in people’s homes. We aim to help people to access online services and become more digitally aware.

BEMSCA is a charity that supports older members of the Caribbean, Asian and Chinese communities within Bath and North East Somerset. They provide a range of social groups, trips and day services including supporting people as they leave hospital.

Supporting people with learning disabilities

SWALLOW charity provide support to teenagers and adults with learning disabilities in and around Bath & North East Somerset and provide a range of services and opportunities to enable people to live life to the full. Find out more here.

Specialised support for health conditions

Citizens Advice work with Macmillan to offer a team of Link Workers that support patients, families or carers of patients with a cancer diagnosis accessing support, services and connections within the local community. They provide a free and confidential specialist service and can advise on a range of issues including benefits and income maximisation and assist with any other related issues including housing, debt and employment.

Dorothy House provides care and support for people in the community with a life-limiting illness. They focus is on quality of life, helping patients to live well and die well. They provide a range of support for individuals and their families including a wide range of groups that meet during the week and at weekends, virtually and in person. Some groups are for patients, some for carers, some for family and some for all three. All the groups are needs-led meaning that they have designed them to support the person. Some are practical courses and others are more informal and interest-based.

The Stroke Association provides emotional, practical and communication (aphasia) support to stroke survivors and their carers, from hospital to home, through 1:1 support and groups. The team work with individuals and their families to identify their support needs and plan how these will be met, enabling them to make the best possible recovery. They have a specialist communication coordinator to support people with aphasia.

Live Well B&NES (Council)

Live Well B&NES provides impartial information and signposting to many services, groups and organisations across the Bath & North East Somerset area. The site is split into three areas of need, providing support to adults to continue living independently, information to support young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities and parenting support to families including Ofsted registered childcare. See Supporting adults to live independent lives.