YIn thois editiuon r Mendip Spring 2019

Talking Cafes Could you foster? Get a degree in Social Care Sharing your health & care Supporting young people’s See pages 6 & 7 See page 9 See centre spread information emotional wellbeing See pages 12 & 13 See pages 14 & 15

are for the elderly and vulnerable Care in the spotpeoplle iis firgmly bachk in the t national spotlight thanks to BBC documentary-makers Panorama and CSomerset County Council. The pressures The BBC spent ten months following Somerset faces our Adult Social Care teams helping “ individuals and families across the are being faced county, with the resulting two programmes being broadcast at across the the end of May and in early June. country The films showcase our inspiring social workers, occupational therapists, care providers, health colleagues and the many different voluntary and community ” organisations helping support thousands of people in the county and really making a difference to their lives. The programmes powerfully highlight the huge pressures and difficult decisions that come with the growing demand for care from an ageing population at a time of limited funding. We got involved with the programme because we want to play our part in putting the future of care at the top of the national agenda.

Alison Holt, BBC Social Affairs Correspondent, said: We know it took courage for the Council to let us follow its staff as they juggle the needs of families against tight budgets, but it is hard to think of a more important issue than how we care for people who are older and disabled. The pressures Somerset faces are being faced across the country and seeing these really difficult decisions in action will help many more of us understand the pressures on the care system. “ Somerset is playing a key role in raising this issue up the national agenda. continued on page 2... ” Contact us

Visit, www.somerset.gov.uk David Fothergill Council Leader If you can’t find lthough they maybe difficult to watch, I hope what you need the films Panorama made with our social care on our website: teams reach households across the county and Athe country. ...continued from cover. We are the case study, but the same stories, pressures and challenges ● Phone 0300 123 2224 In ten years-time almost Phone lines are open from 8am are being played out in communities up and down the country. These one third of Somerset until 6pm on Mondays, and films pose some very difficult and fundamentally important questions residents will be aged 65 8.30am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to about what we want for our loved ones - and ourselves - when we or over, compared to 21 Friday. need care. per cent nationally. ● Write to us at Whose responsibility is care? Who pays for it and how much are we , County Hall, , Somerset, TA1 4DY willing to pay? There are no easy answers but doing nothing is not It also an option. asks Please phone the numbers difficult below for the following services: What shines through is the passion, compassion and skill of our staff questions Fostering enquiries and care providers. It’s inspirational and I thank them all for what they 0800 587 9900 do every day. The need for a long-term funding plan for social care is a massive issue, but we also have to push for a wider fairer funding deal Adopt South West for Somerset. 0345 155 1076 Panorama starkly sets-out Somerset Heritage Centre The Government is reviewing how much money councils get and how the national need for a (01823) 278805 it’s shared between them. We are well on our way to being more long-term plan to Somerset Road Safety financially sustainable - we have sound plans for this year - but beyond sustainably fund social (01823) 423430 that we have no certainty of Government funding, so our plans for the care as one the biggest following two years, can only be based on assumptions. To be confident challenges facing the Somerset Waste Parnership country as a whole. (01823) 625700 about the long-term we need certainty. About £58m of our £328m net budget for this year could be described It also asks difficult ● Other useful numbers as ‘one-off or ‘uncertain’. It’s really hard to plan ahead and get the most questions about the role Citizens Advice Consumer for your money with that much unpredictability. We need to know what communities and families Service Helpline we have to work with in years to come. We also need a deal that play in care as more 03454 04 05 06 acknowledges the costs that come with a rural county – a huge road people live longer - but Street Lighting Faults network, high travel costs, more Rights of Way, and an ageing not always healthy – lives. 0845 601 0939 (office hours) and population, to name but a few. 0845 795 9639 (for out of hours emergencies) Yes, we get £730 of Government funding per head, but that’s 11 It’s not per cent less than the national average . Our school transport costs just about Student Finance Direct nearly £100 per child in Somerset compared to about £14 in urban more (Higher Education Students only) money 0845 607 7577 areas. Our Public Health funding from Government is only £36 per head, compared to £56 nationally. These inequalities and others across Wellington Community Office Somerset and the wider South West have to be addressed. (01823) 667279 It’s not just about more District Councils ● money. We’ve shown that Council EDITOR’S INFO we can help people stay 0300 303 8588 To get in contact with Your Somerset or to advertise in this publication, contact healthy and happy in their District Council Lauren Fellingham on (01823) 359176 , email yoursomerset@somerset. gov.uk own homes by working 0300 303 7800 or write to us at Your Somerset , Somerset County Council, FREEPOST NAT 9109, with our communities and District Council County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY. voluntary groups (see (01935) 462462 pages 6 and 7). But long- Somerset West and Taunton Council We gratefully acknowledge the support of organisations that advertise in Your Somerset , but Somerset County Council can accept no responsibility for the products term funding has to be 0300 304 8000 or services advertised. We advise readers to make their own enquires before part of the answer and a purchasing products or services. national priority. Pssst... Your Somerset costs 5p per copy to produce.

2 - In the news GETTING TO KNOW YOUR HEALTH VISITING SERVICE NEWS in Brief schools and nurseries to offer support to all families from pregnancy until children are First Somerset Community nineteen years old. Library Partnerships signed How we can help Health Visitors can help parents with specific issues, such as difficulties sleeping, fussy eating, challenging behaviours, immunisations, healthy weight, postnatal depression and other emotional difficulties. They can also support with safeguarding children, parental smoking, drug and alcohol s part of the review of Somerset’s misuse, access to housing and medical Library Services, Somerset County services and sexual and contraceptive Council agreed to retain 19 of its his April the Council welcomed almost advice. eAxisting libraries and seek help from 200 public health nursing staff into communities to run 15 other library the fold, as Health Visitors, School School Nurses provide a confidential service buildings as Community Library TNurses, Assistant Practitioners and to parents, carers, schools, children and Partnerships (CLP). Administrative Support officially transferred young people. They deliver the national So far nine * CLPs have been signed – across from the Somerset Partnership NHS childhood measurement programme as well with more expected shortly. Foundation Trust to the County Council. as advice and information on being healthy, stopping smoking, drugs, alcohol, sexual Existing library buildings will remain open and will be run by a mixture of paid What we do health and emotional health and wellbeing. These teams of nurses work incredibly hard staff and volunteers in the following nine communities: , , Nether to provide support to families, giving children Contact us Stowey, , Porlock, in Somerset the very best start in life. They To find out more about the Public Health Somerton, South Petherton, work with local communities and families in Nursing Teams, visit and . homes, children’s centres, GP surgeries, www.somerset.gov.uk/nursing For more information, check out www.somersetlibraries.gov.uk , phone JUNCTION 25 THE NEXT MAJOR IMPROVEMENT FOR SOMERSET 0300 123 2224 or contact library staff. *At time of going to print he multi- Throughabout – the first of its kind in million-pound Somerset. The scheme is already reducing Recycle sites new opening hours uTpgrade of the peak-time queuing, improving facilities for busy M5 Junction pedestrians and cyclists and supporting the 25 roundabout in economy of . Taunton has started. And in , the £18.4m Colley Lane Southern Access Road is taking shape and It’s the third major scheme the Council has is on track for completion later this year. secured investment for to improve roads This important link road consists of two new and transport links for Somerset – joining bridges (including the longest single span the Western Corridor improvements in Yeovil bridge in Somerset), 840m of new road, and ecycling sites across Somerset and the Colley Lane Southern Access Road pedestrian and cycling improvements. now have a new and improved timetable. All recycling sites will in Bridgwater. Ropen until 4pm on both Saturdays and In total the three schemes are worth over Sundays through winter and until 6pm £50m , with the majority of the funding over the summer months (April – (£45m) coming from external partners September). and developers. The new hours are part of the transformation of Somerset Waste The upgrade will take two years and Partnership’s (SWP) waste services, increase the capacity of Junction 25 with extra weekly plastics recycling and to improve traffic flow, ease peak-time three-weekly rubbish collections rolling congestion and unlock land for employment out from 2020. They will also be sending to the east of the M5. Visit www.travel most of Somerset’s refuse to the somerset.co.uk/J25 to find out more. incineratar in Avonmouth to generate electricity and reduce landfill. Meanwhile, work on the £14.5m Yeovil Western Corridor is due to finish this Full details of all opening hour changes are available at each site or, on the summer, with several busy junctions already SWP's website at www.somersetwaste. upgraded, including the new Westlands gov.uk, or by phoning 0300 123 2224 . Crossways Bridge, Bridgwater

News in brief - 3 YOUR COUNCIL TAX EXPLAINED This year’s budget supports the Council to be more confident, ambitious, with a renewed focus on prevention.

ll local authorities have seen their grant from Central Government HER Ac E’S WH count Refer 1 AT ence: 12345 A reduce since 2010. That means that YOU 67890 we have had to make some really tough PAY Cha rgeable Dwe decisions along the way. But thanks to a lot of T lling: he Crescent hard work over the last year we are now in a Taunton much stronger position, which has allowed us Somerset to reconsider some of the toughest of those COUN TA1 4D CIL TAX BILL Y decisions. 201 9/20 Property Valu This year we will spend over £822m in ation Band: D Somerset on the day-to-day running of council services (revenue budget) and investing in building projects (capital funding), like schools Somerse t County Cou and highways improvements. Distri ncil ...... ct Council* .. .£1,239.73 So ...... This is supported by a 2.99 per cent increase merset Rive ...... £160.98 rs Authority in the County Council’s element of Council Tax, Police ...... £12...... E84 .... and an extra one per cent to support vital Fire ...... L£21 ...... 7.81 Adult Social Care services for vulnerable P ...... P... a .. rish Council* .....£86.52 older people...... M...... A ...... £69.89 Read on to find out more about how the S Tota l County Council’s part of your Council Tax £1,787.77 * Based is spent. on the avera ge cost for D istrict and Pa rish Councils in Somerset

Business Rates (£79m)

24% WHERE DOES THE MONEY 2 COME FROM?

Now that the Revenue Support Grant from Central Government has been replaced by the Business Rates Retention pilot, the Council receives funding from two main sources; £79m from business rates and £249m from Council Tax. N£et3 B2u8dm get On top of that, we will need to raise a further £115m through other sources of income, for example fees and charges, and Council £76m in government grants. The Council also receives a Tax Dedicated Schools Grant of £213m , which is passed directly (£249m) to schools.

76%

4 - Your council tax explained Somerset Rivers Debt Authority financing 0.8% 5% Public Health

WHERE THE Support 0.2% Services 3 MONEY IS SPENT 12% That raises a total of £328m , which is to be spent on the day-to-day running costs of council services and W£h3e2re8 tm he Adult forms the Council’s revenue budget. money goes Services Community Services for example, 38% roads, transport and economic development 19% Children’s Services (excluding Schools) 25%

We also have capital funding of £90m , for specific projects, for example, for road CAPITAL maintenance and improvements. This money can only be spend on fixed assets, 4 FUNDING such as buildings and roads.

We have pledged £224m of capital investment over the next four years to pay for highways, schools and other capital projects. We will be investing £90m in the county in the next year alone.

This includes £13.5m for secondary and primary schools, £700,000 for Special Educational Needs facilities and more than £6m for economic development Nerrols Primary projects.

Highways, traffic management and engineering projects will see investment of £57m for projects including Bridgwater’s Colley Lane, the Taunton Toneway Corridor, as well as the ongoing work filling potholes, resurfacing and other road improvement Westlands througabout,Yeovil Artist Impression of new £18m School in Bridgwater schemes across the county.

For more information Read information on our budget at www.somerset.gov.uk/accounts Email [email protected] on our accounts: Write to Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY

Your council tax explained - 5 - the word is spreading!

These are just some of the fantastic community and voluntary groups working with us through Community Connect:

ur new Talking cafes bring together all kinds of different organisations, with Community Agents working alongside staff from the Council’s social care teams, hOealth and district councils, voluntary groups and charities. Whether you feel like you need a little extra help, or know someone who might, the cafes are about talking things through and understanding what’s important you. Then they’re about problem-solving and trouble-shooting, providing information, guidance and practical support where it’s needed. Most importantly, they’re about knowing what’s going on in the local area and connecting people to it. Talking Cafes are an important part of Community Connect, a movement that is promoting independence and improving lives The Council has helped establish a by working with our great communities, and harnessing the network of micro-providers - self- skills and expertise of many organisations. employed care providers who This couldn’t happen without the county’s fantastic voluntary deliver personalised care support and community groups. With the help of grants from the County to people in their community. Council, they are finding new and creative ways of meeting people’s needs. For more information, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset- micro-enterprise-project somerset village & community agents What can Talking Cafes and Community Connect help with?

As part of Community ● Introducing you to groups and activities in your area. Connect, the County Council ● Talking through health concerns and putting you in touch with part-funds Community the right people. ● Agents who work for the Housing advice and support. ● Putting you in touch with support for carers. Community Council for ● Helping you find equipment and adaptations that make things Somerset. easier round the home. ● Health advice to carry on living at home. ● Employment and training opportunities.

6 - Talking Cafes From to Yeovil, Cheddar to – there are now 13 Talking Cafes across Somerset helping people to stay healthy, happy and independent in their own homes and communities.

The Community Connect approach doesn’t have to involve Talking Cafes. Here’s how it can work Here’s a real-life example.

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● Jean is 78, has arthritis ● The volunteer suggested she and recently suffered a fall. ● The Community Agent apply for a Blue Badge and told This knocked her confidence thought Jean might be eligible her about ‘Stay Steady, Stay and she started worrying for Attendance Allowance (for Well’ classes, which might help about her independence and ● Jean called the County people aged 65 and over with regain her to balance and how she was going to pay Council for advice and care needs), so contacted confidence. Jean received an for any help or support she guidance. They referred her to Somerset Age UK to help her Attendance Allowance and got might need. her local Community Agent. complete the forms. a Blue Badge.

5 6 7 8

● The extra money meant ● The Community Agent also Jean could afford the cost of organised a pendant alarm for the pendant alarm, as well as ● A micro-provider is providing Jean’s home and introduced her the taxi fare to her Stay Steady a little bit more help around the to a local micro-provider to classes. The classes have ● The Blue Badge means Jean home and Jean is now happy, at arrange help with her cleaning improved her balance and given is getting out and about more less risk of a fall and looking and shopping. her back her confidence. and is able to be more sociable. forward to the future.

V en Bridgwater Arts Centre Porlock Library ue st If you would like to find out more s Every Thursday, 10am to 1pm 1 Tuesday of the month, about Community Connect Burnham-on-Sea Methodist Church 10am to 12pm Talking Cafes, visit Every Tuesday, 11am-2.30pm Street Fondo Lounge www.somerset.gov.uk/dropin , Chard Library Every Wednesday, or phone 01823 331 222 . Or, Every Monday, 2pm-4pm 10am-11.30am stay up-to-date with the latest Talking Cafe news at Cheddar Baptist Church Taunton - St Mary Magdalene www.facebook.com/talkingcafe Every Monday, 9.30am to 12.30pm Church Every Monday, 10am to 1pm somerset Library Williton Pavillion Every Friday, 10.30am to 12.30pm Every Tuesday, 10am-12pm Please bear in mind that dates and Langport - The Angel Wiveliscombe - Silver Street Centre venues may change over the Bank Every Monday, 10am to 1pm Every Wednesday, 10.30am to 12pm Holiday, so please check the website for more information. Minehead - The Beach Hotel Yeovil Hospital Every Monday, 10am to 1pm. Every Wednesday, 2pm-4pm

Talking Cafes - 7 Doing Business in Somerset Enterprise Centre particularly in rural areas where suitable space is hard gives guitar to find. The Enterprise craftsman AMP-le Centres offer affordable space with flexible tenancy room to expand terms, superfast broadband An IT designer turned guitar and access to business maker is one of the latest support. The Highbridge businesses to benefit from Enterprise Centre had a Sense-sational our network of Enterprise £470,000 expansion last Centres. Handmade year, adding more than pop-up shops 20 square metres of extra After running his own IT space and is now home n exciting business venture involving company for more than a to 18 businesses. pupils from special schools across the decade, Peter Lewis sold-up Acounty appeared in Taunton High Street last and decided to turn his love And the benefits of the for guitars into a going Enterprise Centre are year and popped-up in Yeovil’s Quedam concern. striking a chord with Peter Centre in April. as he watches his business The Sen.se-sentational Pop-up Shop is the brain He’s now hand-making grow. “It’s been great for child of an organisation called Special Educational guitars from scratch for me. I’ve been able to expand Needs. Somerset Expertise (sen.se), which represents enthusiasts and professional my business into a space Somerset’s Special Schools, and has been launched musicians alike; lovingly that’s cleaner, has better with the support of charity, Young Somerset and crafting them over weeks or Peter Lewis access and is affordable Somerset County Council. months depending on how with good lease terms. I’ve hands-on the customer got more room now to grow, wants to be. Getting proper work experience when you’re close to so the plan is to invest in leaving education is vital for any student. If you’re a Having outgrown his equipment to speed-up the young person with special educational needs and/or premises in Highbridge, whole process, so I can get disabilities, it can be very difficult to find this kind of Lewis Guitar Works moved my guitars out to people opportunity. into one of the new units at quicker.” the expanded Enterprise These are the first of a series of outlets, which will be Centre on the outskirts of 52,000 square popping up all over Somerset, and are being run by young the town last February. feet of commercial Peter, who has “lived and people. The stock is created by pupils from special schools breathed guitars” since his Bespoke craftmanship office space early teens, said: “It’s about across the county and range giving the customer what The network, which also from festive gifts, ornaments, they want, something includes centres in , jams and upcycled furniture, special that they can’t get Dulverton, Wheddon Cross to beautiful limited-edition paintings, cards, sweets off the shelf. It might be and Minehead now provides and plants. someone who plays for a 52,000 square feet of commercial office space The shops have been a big success and well received hobby at the weekend or a by the public, and the project was a finalist in the professional musician with and units – of which around 93 per cent is taken – Somerset Education Business Partnership Awards exacting needs. By coming 2019. to a custom guitar builder supporting 54 businesses. like me, they’re involved in Thanks go to Somerset West and Taunton Council The Enterprise Centre the whole process as it Minehead Enterprise Centre and South Somerset District Council evolves and that’s part network is operated who provided administration support of the attraction.” on behalf of the Somerset and help to locate the premises, and County Council by TDA. to Agents Humberts and the Quedam Highbridge is one of five The recent extension at Centre. centres Highbridge was jointly Highbridge is one of five funded by the County To find out more about the centres set-up by the County Council and the Heart of the project and where the next Council to help small and South West Local Enterprise shop will be ‘popping-up’, medium-sized businesses Partnership’s Unlocking visit www.sen-se.org.uk start up and grow, Growth Fund.

Highbridge Enterprise Centre

8 - Doing business in Somerset F– ordoinarys peoptle doinge extraorrdinairy nthings g Congratulations to our amazing foster carer, Elaine Koerner, who will receive an MBE this year, for her services to fostering.

Elaine from Yeovil has not only fostered more than 100 children in Somerset, but now also looks after unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people. She is passionate about helping children who have been through a really hard time, gain stability and achieve their potential.

Could you foster for Somerset? We have many children who urgently need great foster carers. If you have the space, love and opportunity to provide a safe, secure and loving environment for children that may need it, please get in touch. You will play an integral part in their lives, and enrich your own life and that of your own family in the process. If you could offer a child a foster home, we offer you a weekly fee and allowance, great training, support and extra rewards and discounts. Jack *, aged 11 Taylor *, aged 12 Hi, I’m Jack and I like to have Hello, I’m Taylor and I love singing, fun. I maybe just a little bit TAYLOR dancing and gymnastics. I like going cheeky, but people tell me I’ve to school and get on well with my got a great sense of humour as teachers and everyone else who I love telling jokes. They also say helps me. I had a bit of a tough time that I’m really good at when I was younger, so I’d really like impressions, especially of to live with a family who can support people and animals! I really me and help me find ways to deal enjoy going to school and living with what happened to me. My social in a family. I would really like worker say that I need a father figure, someone to be there for me as so I would like a family where there is JACK I get older and make me feel like at least one male carer. I truly belong somewhere. *These are not the children’s real names.

CONTACTS What do I need to be a foster carer? Phone 0800 587 9900 , visit ● The enthusiasm to help turn a child or young person’s life around www.fosteringinsomerset.org.uk or come to an ● A spare room information evening. ● We welcome single carers. Your gender or sexual orientation You can find all the details at doesn’t matter www.fosteringinsomerset.org.uk/events Help us spread the word: Like us on Facebook @fosteringinsomerset, follow Our next events in your area are: us on twitter @fostersomerset Bridgwater - Tuesday 11 June at 7pm - Tuesday 9 July at 7pm Taunton - Tuesday 13 August at 7pm Bridgwater Costa Shepton Mallet Costa Taunton Costa 12 Cornhill 8 Townsend Shopping Park 25 Fore Street Bridgwater 1 Townsend Taunton TA6 3BU Shepton Mallet TA1 1JW BA4 5EG

Fostering - 9 The Local Offer GET A DEGREE, A GREAT JOB AND UP TO £3,000 CASH INCENTIVE All this is on offer, and the best thing is, you can improve people’s lives!

Improving information about special educational needs and disabilities

f you are a parent carer of a young person with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) you need to be able to find all the sIervices available to you in your local area quickly and easily. That’s why all local authorities must have a ‘Local t’s all up for grabs if you’re interested in studying Working with vulnerable children and adults is one We need you! Working with universities Offer’, which provides this important information for a degree in social work. You can now do it right of the most important, challenging and rewarding Part of our challenge is making sure that we have The Council is also working closely with universities about education, health, social care, support here in Somerset and build links with the Council’s jobs you can do. Social work covers everything enough social workers to carry out these essential to see how the newly recognised social worker services and leisure activities for parents, carers social care teams while you train. Starting this from supporting older, vulnerable adults with roles here in Somerset. It takes a special set of skills degree apprenticeships can be used, which could and their children and young people up to 25. ISeptember as part of an innovative partnership complex conditions and needs, such as dementia to become a social worker and recruiting allow people to work in the organisation while Last year we made some big improvements to our between Yeovil College University Centre and the or Parkinson’s Disease, to improving the lives of enough permanent staff to create stability and studying for a social work degree. Local Offer website - it’s now clearer and easier University of Gloucestershire, you could have the children and young people by working with their continuity for vulnerable adults and children is to use. opportunity to study for a new degree course based families to make sure, where possible, they can a nationwide challenge. Try Before You Apply in Yeovil. It offers a guaranteed job interview and have a stable home life. It also involves supporting Recruitment isn’t just about newly qualified It tells you everything you need to know about monthly cash incentive if you go on to work for the children and young people who are in the care of Somerset is at the forefront of ‘growing its own’ social workers – a good team needs a broad SEND and includes information about: ● Council, as well as a guaranteed placement in your the local authority, and those leaving care to live social workers and it’s been praised by Ofsted mix of knowledge, skills and experience. Services and support available locally for final year. independently. You could also find yourself for the work it does taking on and training newly Somerset County Council runs a unique initiative children and young people with SEND ● supporting adults and young people with qualified students straight out of university aimed at attracting experienced social workers to Education, childcare, health, transport, support special educational needs and/or disabilities. each year. the county called ‘Try Before You Apply’. It allows and preparing for adult life You could potential future colleagues to come to the county Back in February Somerset’s Parent Forum, which Step-up-to Social Work scheme benefit from a for the day, meet teams, discuss social work is run by parent carers, organised The Local Offer cash incentive Somerset County Council is the leading authority practice and get a taste of what it might be like Roadshow, which saw all the partner organisations in the South West Step-up-to Social Work scheme. to work here. involved in providing SEND services travelling worth up to This is a Government-funded initiative, which helps £3,000* around Somerset to plug the updated website and people qualify as social workers on a fast track the Local Offer. course providing they have a 2:1 degree in a subject other than social work. Applications run from The degree covers safeguarding and care and crisis February to March each year. To find out more To find out more If you’re a parent carer or young person and want intervention to help turn around people’s lives and about the course, visit www.gov.uk/guidance/ about a career in to find out more our ‘Local Offer, visit will prepare you for a successful career in social work. step-up-to-social-work-information-for- choices.somerset.gov.uk/025/local-off applicants social care, visit It’s hoped potential social workers of all backgrounds www.socialcare from the county will apply, including mature students. Frontline social work training programme andmore.co.uk If you fall into this category you may not necessarily Guaranteed job Somerset County Council also has strong links need the same qualifications as school leaving interview on with the Frontline social work training programme, applicants. Find out more by contacting the University graduation* another fast-track scheme, which has similar entry of Gloucestershire enquiries team on 03330 141414 requirements. For more information, visit *See course website for full or by email on [email protected] www.thefrontline.org.uk terms and conditions SHARING YOUR HEALTH AND CARE INFORMATION END OF LIFE CARE

t some point, you or a family member or close friend may need specialist care when nearing the end of life. During that time, it may be upsetting to kAeep explaining the situation, or the treatments you or your loved one is having, to the various health and care staff involved.

The aim of the Somerset Integrated a quicker, more efficient way to Digital e-Record (SIDeR) create and share records for people Programme is to allow health and with life-limiting conditions. This care staff to share information to will help staff to be aware of save valuable time in getting you someone’s personal wishes and the right treatment. Your what is important to them and their information will only be available to families at this stage of their lives. the staff involved in your care, and not at any other time, or for any All Somerset GP Practices, St. other reason. Margaret’s Hospice, Dorothy House Hospice, District Nurses, NHS 111, End of life care has a big impact GP Out of Hours and the End of Life on everyone, so we are making Care Coordination Service now improvements to this crucial care have access to this first SIDeR service using SIDeR. It delivers service.

THIS IS BOB’S STORY

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Sadly, Bob is terminally ill Ian takes a call at St. Margaret’s Angie, a Community Nurse Specialist Hospice’s Central Referral Centre at St. Margaret’s Hospice, visits Bob Bob has been receiving treatment for heart A nurse at the hospital phones the Central Ian refers Bob to the Community Nursing failure at Yeovil District Hospital and is Referral Centre at the hospice and speaks Team and Angie, one of the nurses, now ready to be discharged. His doctor to Ian about Bob’s situation. Instead of arranges to visit him at home. Before the says he could benefit from the support of having to wait for Bob’s GP to send over visit, she looks at his medical records, so St. Margaret’s Hospice after he goes home, his records, Ian is able to look up his Bob doesn’t have to explain everything all and Bob agrees. patient information immediately using over again. As Angie is fully aware of Bob’s EMIS Viewer (a GP record viewer launched diagnosis and treatment history, they can in Somerset as part of the SIDeR use their appointment time to talk about programme). This helps the hospice what is important to Bob and how the clinical team to decide which of their hospice can help him live as well as services are most suitable. possible with his condition.

12 - Sharing your health and care information Providing you with the best care services by making sure the right person has the right information at the right time.

WHAT IS ALREADY IN PLACE GP Record Viewer

ince October 2016, clinical staff have been able to view GP patient records. This was Sthe first step to improved information sharing and there have been many benefits. Here is just some of the positive feedback received from staff and patients: “[Accessing the GP Record] is a positive step forward as we now have more information, which we didn’t previously receive as part of a referral. This has helped to triage referrals, the patient assessment and the care planning process.”

t. Margaret’s Hospice delivers high able to securely share information quality, responsive and electronically with Somerset NHS Scompassionate care to patients, their organisations. families and carers who are facing a life-limiting illness. The SIDeR Programme exists to improve health and care across Somerset, and As a Somerset charity, St. Margaret’s is as a result, St. Margaret’s Hospice is an not part of the NHS, but the hospice equal stakeholder in this programme, teams work closely with other health alongside Somerset Acute and care providers. Community hospitals, Mental Health services, GPs and Social Care. Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group has worked with St. Margaret’s Hospice For more information about St. to connect them to the NHS, which has Margaret’s Hospice, visit www.st- District Nurse created many benefits, including being margarets-hospice.org.uk

What’s next for the Somerset Integrated GP Online Consultations problem or an ongoing health Digital e-Record? issue. You can ask questions s well as Somerset-based or tell your GP about your programmes and projects, symptoms. rom summer 2019 work Athere are a number of national Fwill start to connect GP projects being rolled out in Practices; Taunton and Somerset, including GP Online Somerset Hospital; Yeovil Consultations. District Hospital; Somerset Partnership Hospitals; GP Online Consultations allows Community and Mental you to contact your GP Practice The practice can then make Health Services; without having to wait on the contact with you through a St. Margaret’s Hospice and phone or take time out of your secure messaging system or Somerset County Council to busy day to visit the Practice. may phone you. So ask your SIDeR, so that they can begin Using a smartphone, tablet or practice if they are already to view the records they each hold about you, when computer, you can contact your offering this service or are they provide you with care. Practice about a new planning to adopt it.

If you would like to know more, please contact the Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 08000 851067 or email [email protected]

Sharing your health and care information - 13 Supporting young people’s

One in eight children between the ages of five and 19 will experience some kind of mental health condition - that’s almost four in every class!

We know that nationally 75 per cent of adult mental health issues start before adulthood, so it’s crucial that we keep our children and of mental young people mentally, as well as physically health problems start by the age well. If we help improve the mental health of of 18 young people, we can lower the rate of adults experiencing mental health too.

All parents are likely to notice changes in their children’s behavior as they grow up – it Ideas for parents comes with the territory of living with teenagers. But sometimes this could be pointing to mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety.

What can you do to help and support? Online resources to help you and your family sk them how they are feeling : Even young children can understand ake a look at the Somerset Aabout feelings and behaviour if you give Children and Young People them a chance to talk about it. HTealth and Wellbeing website at Make time to listen: Let them say what www.cypsomersethealth.org they want to say. The more you talk and It’s packed with lots of helpful listen - the sooner your child will know information and resources for that they can talk to you when they young people, families and carers need to. including. Give them space: Older children might not want to talk at first. Let The Parent and Carer Toolkit, which them know you’re concerned about them and you’re there if they is full of information, resources and need you. Sending an email or a text can work better if this is the links to specialist organisations on topics such as sleep way your child likes to communicate. and cyberbullying. Self-help: Ask them what they think would help - they The Little Book of Mental Health Life often have good ideas about solving their own problems. Hacks that was developed by young Offer them information to read and some privacy, so they people in Somerset. It is full of ideas to have the chance to use it at their own pace. support your mental health and includes true stories from people who’ve tried Healthy body, healthy mind: Encourage them to look after them out and ideas of how to support themselves by eating healthily, getting enough exercise friends you may be concerned about. and sleeping well. How they feel physically will have a huge impact on their emotional health. The Mental Health Toolkit, which provides information and support about mental Be a good role model: Make sure you try and deal with health and emotion wellbeing. It is designed to support stressful situations in a healthy and positive way. staff in schools and colleges, but also offers advice and Children learn from what they see at home or from the information for anyone who has responsibility for children people who are closest to them. and young people, including parents.

14 - Supporting young people emotional wellbeing Self-harm

elf-harm is when somebody damages If someone is self- How can you help? Sor injures themselves on purpose. It's harming it’s so As a parent or carer, the most helpful usually a way of coping with or expressing important to try things you can do to help your child are to: overwhelming emotional distress. It is and understand usually done when something else is what is causing ● Make sure they are physically safe and wrong and it seems like the only way to them to be receive any medical attention needed let those feelings out. The most common distressed. Young people especially may ● Make time to listen to your child, or triggers include: need a lot of help to develop skills to cope find someone else they can talk to with more stressful and traumatic ● Explore practical ways you can help ● Alcohol and/or drug misuse situations in a less harmful way. your child manage each day ● Anxiety ● Support your child in finding further How to recognise self-harm ● Bullying support or treatment Cutting or burning the skin is most ● Sexual, physical or emotional abuse commonly associated with self-harm, but For more information, visit the Self Harm ● Bereavement it can take various forms. This includes: pages at www.cypsomersethealth.org/sh ● Exam pressure and school/parental expectations ● Punching, biting or hitting ● Confusion about sexuality ● Misusing alcohol or drugs ● Parents separation/divorce ● Poisoning themselves with tablets or ● Health problems chemicals ● Relationships ● Excessive exercise ● Low self-esteem ● Biting, scratching or picking skin ● Pressure from social media ● Pulling out hair Some of what we do Helplines

he Somerset Wellbeing Framework is the skills they need to manage their lives, For parents designed to help schools develop a now and in the future. This includes ‘Twhole school’ approach to mental health. learning about mental health and how to The framework offers tools and training to be resilient and bounce back from the YoungMinds Parents Helpline - The encourage schools to look at every aspect negative things that happen in life. helpline is available weekdays, from of school life in relation to wellbeing 9.30am until 4pm, on 0808 802 5544 . including the curriculum, the environment, pupils, staff and parents too. It builds on For young people the good work schools are already doing and provides online tools to record and monitor progress. Samaritans - If you're in distress and need support, you can ring Samaritans for free at any time of the day or night on 116 123 or email [email protected]

Childline - If you're under 19 you can Personal, Social, Health and Economic confidentially phone, email, or chat (PSHE) Education – working with the online about any problem big or small. youth charity, LIFEbeat, a training Available 24 hours a day on programme is in place to help teachers 0800 1111 . help children and young people explore

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this article, please contact the Samaritans. Volunteers are ordinary people who provide a safe place for people to talk. Phone 116 123 , email [email protected] or visit www.samaritans.org

Supporting young people - 15 Put a ‘ Spring ’ in your step - Volunteer! BIG THANKS TO SOMERSET WOOD VOLUNTEERS Over 1,600 trees have now taken root in the Somerset Wood thanks to a remarkable volunteer response. More than 200 volunteers took part in the first season’s planting, including youngsters from the YMCA Bridgwater and Army Cadets from the Bishops Hull Platoon, Somerset Army Cadets. Planting will start again in November. Adopt a path, drive people to vital medical appointments, volunteer in a library or help out in Somerset’s outdoor activity centres – there are plenty of volunteering opportunities to put a spring in your step this spring.

ith the launch of our new and skills. It can be as little or as volunteering website at much as you would like. Emma, volunteering.somerset. 18, is a volunteer with the Council’s gWov.uk , all Council volunteering Short Breaks Team. This is an The Somerset Wood project is a joint partnership roles are now just a click away. amazing personal achievement for between Somerset West and Taunton Council, Somerset Here are just a few examples: Emma who gets very anxious with County Council, and Cheddon Fitzpaine and West new and unknown situations. The Monkton Parish Councils. Located in the largely rural Become a volunteer driver Short Breaks team tailored their parish of Cheddon Fitzpaine to the north of Taunton and We have over 175 volunteer drivers approach to volunteering to meet west of Monkton Heathfield, 14,000 trees will eventually based all over Somerset who drive Emma’s needs, helping find be planted to create a community wood in honour of the people, who are unable to drive solutions that worked for her. 11,281 Somerset residents who died in World War One. themselves, to vital medical, social care and other appointments. To find out more about other Covering 23 acres, the wood will be a place for wildlife Volunteers are asked to commit to volunteering opportunities, visit and peace within a planned Country Park that will be an one or two full days a week as a https://volunteering.somerset. integral part of Taunton’s Garden Town status. The minimum. You need to own a four- gov.uk , or contact 0300 123 2224 . Somerset Wildlife Trust has helped coordinate the door car and will be reimbursed at volunteer effort and the Woodland Trust has helped up to 50p per mile . Talk to someone about volunteering secure the trees. Looking for a volunteering role that For more information about the Somerset Wood project 175+ 50p 2days fits your schedule and location? and how to support it by volunteering to plant trees or drivers per mile per week Contacting your local Volunteer making a donation, visit Centre is a great way to start. www.somerset.gov.uk/the-somerset-wood Work with our Short Breaks team Whether you talk face-to-face or over the phone, the people Volunteering within Short Breaks is here can help you find the role really flexible, informal and we try that’s right for you, give you advice, our best to find placements which and answer any questions you meet people’s aims, availability may have.

LOCAL VOLUNTEER CENTRES Spark Somerset: Volunteering opportunities in South Somerset, Mendip and Sedgemoor. Phone 01460 202970 or visit www.sparksomerset.org.uk/ Engage: Volunteering opportunities in Taunton and West Somerset Phone Taunton: 07958 132882 , West Somerset: 01643 707123 or visit www.engagews.org.uk/

16 - Volunteering Thinking about Summer?

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