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Somerset Health and Wellbeing Advisory Network

Health and wellbeing
Glastonbury Festival 2022 is one of several festivals returning this year. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding Festival goers to be mindful of continuing health risks and be vigilant so they can enjoy the festival and other events safely and responsibly.
Respiratory infections, including COVID-19, are still in circulation. If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, including a high temperature, or do not feel well enough to carry out normal activities before the festival, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.

Festival-goers should also be aware that there is currently transmission of monkeypox in the UK. The infection mainly spreads between people through direct (skin to skin) contact, including sexual contact, or close contact with surfaces that have been contaminated with the monkeypox virus.

If you have a rash with blisters, or any other monkeypox symptoms, don’t go to events, meet with friends, or have sexual contact. Instead, stay at home and contact 111 or your local sexual health service for advice. If you have been advised to self-isolate, please continue to do so and should not attend the festival without prior clearance from the relevant health authority.
At this time of year it can be difficult to tell if you are experiencing Hay Fever or Covid-19 symptoms. Please download this symptom comparison poster and share with your networks.
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Walk In Covid Vaccination Clinics

Walk in vaccine clinics
To help you promote the walk in vaccination sites in your area, we have created a range of social media graphics and posters.

Sedgemoor

Bridgwater Town Hall, High St, TA6 3BL
Every Friday: *Closed 8th & 15th July
18+ only: 9am - 2pm - Walk in
Children only age 5 - 11: 2:30pm - 5pm
*check GAJ for specific children’s (5+) clinics & times
Appointments now open on NBS.
Sydenham Pantry, Community Hub, Fairfax Road, Bridgwater, TA6 4HX
Wednesday 6th & 20th July: 1pm - 6pm
Bridgwater Community Hospital, Bower
Every Sunday: 9am - 5pm
Children only age 5+: 2:30pm - 5pm
*check GAJ for specific children’s (5+) clinics & times
Hamp Pantry, Grenville House, Rhode Lane, Bridgwater, TA6 6JE
Thursday 7th & 21st July: 1pm - 6pm

Somerset West and Taunton

Tower Vaccination Centre: Tower Road, Taunton, TA1 4AF
7 days a week: 9am - 7pm
Book a Children only age 5+:
*check GAJ for specific children’s (5+) clinics & times
Appointments now open on NBS.
Minehead Community Hospital, Luttrell Way, Minehead, TA24 6DF
Every Tuesday: 8:30am - 7pm
Children only age 5+: 2:30pm - 7pm
*check GAJ for specific children’s (5+) clinics & times
Wellington Community Hospital, Bulford Lane, Wellington, TA21 8QQ
Tuesday until 5th July. Every Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Children only age 5+: 2pm - 5pm
*check GAJ for specific children’s (5+) clinics & times
Priorswood Community Centre, 13-14 Priorswood Place, Taunton, TA2 7JW
Sat 25th June: 12pm - 6pm

South Somerset

Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester, BA22 8HT
15th, 19th, 21st, 24th, 26th, 28th, 30th July: 9am - 4:30pm
All vaccinations from age 5+
Abbey Manor Health Centre, The Forum, Yeovil, BA21 3TL
Every Wednesday: 9am - 7:30pm
Weds 29th June: 9:30am - 7:30pm
Chard Leisure Centre, Fore St, Chard, TA20 1GR
Sat 16th & Sun 17th July: 9am - 5pm
Wincanton Community Hall, (Verrington Vaccination Centre) Dancing Lane, Wincanton, BA9 9DQ
Mon- Fri: 8:30am - 2pm (18+ only)
2:30pm - 5:30pm (5 - 11 only)
Haynes Centre, South St, Crewkerne, TA18 8DA
Friday 24th June: 2:30pm - 7:30pm
Saturday 25th June: 9am - 5pm

Mendip

Cheese and Grain, Markey Yard, Justice Lane, Frome. BA11 1BE
Sat 25th & Sun 26th June: 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 14th July: 2pm - 7pm

Financial Wellbeing Project Launches

A new Somerset Financial Wellbeing project is being launched to support people concerned about money and help them to plan for a better financial future.

The scheme provides free information, events, and training to both local residents and employees of Somerset businesses who may be facing financial anxiety caused by the cost-of-living increases, the aftermath of Covid-19, or because they are facing a change in circumstances.

Please share widely with your networks. This is open to anyone living or working in Somerset. The calendar of events and training will be confirmed over the coming months but free information is available now from the website.
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Councillor Adam Dance, Somerset County Council Executive Lead Member for Public Health, said: "The stress many of us face when managing tight finances can cause negative impacts for both mental and physical wellbeing.
“With the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis being felt across the country, the Somerset Financial Wellbeing project could not be more timely.
“It gives people in Somerset a great opportunity to benefit from free help and advice on prudent budgeting and improving their financial wellbeing in these testing times.”

Somerset Drugs and Alcohol Services

SDAS provide free, confidential treatment and support across Somerset to anyone who is experiencing difficulties with their substance use or are affected by someone else's.

Please share the SDAS website and latest newsletter with your networks.

Volunteer Drivers Needed!

Somerset County Council is hoping to recruit more volunteer drivers now that coronavirus restrictions have eased and there is more demand for the service. Even by committing as little as one day per week, volunteers can make a huge difference.
Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset County Council Executive Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said: “Somerset is a rural county with a large elderly population, and so the service that volunteer drivers provide is an important one and makes a real difference to the clients. If you enjoy driving, meeting new people, and want to give something back to the community, it is definitely worth considering becoming a volunteer driver.”

Applicants need to be 18 or over, have a clean full driving licence and own a four-door car.

Get involved in the merger of Yeovil Hospital and Somerset FT

Yeovil Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust are coming together to create a single, new organisation which will be responsible for both acute hospitals (Yeovil Hospital and Musgrove Park Hospital), community healthcare services, mental health services, and some GP practices.

The name of the new organisation after merger will be Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. The individual sites that sit at the heart of local communities, such as Yeovil Hospital and Musgrove Park Hospital, will retain their existing names.

Peter Lewis Chief Executive, YDH and Somerset FT said:
"As a single organisation responsible for acute, community and mental health services, and a significant proportion of the county’s primary care services, we will be a very influential partner in the emerging integrated care system, and have opportunities to make an enormous difference to the health and wellbeing of local people.

Ours will be a trust that touches the lives of every family in Somerset, and those in parts of neighbouring counties and we are very keen to engage with the public, local interest groups, and partners to ensure they can have a voice in shaping our future."

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey to tell the team how you use local NHS services and what should be focused on as they bring these two trusts together. Please share a link to the survey with the groups that you represent.

If you would like to discuss further ways to provide feedback, James Hodges at james.hodges@ydh.nhs.uk will be pleased to help.
Yeovil Together July 2022 A4

Yeovil Together

Yeovil Ethnically Diverse Communities are holding a multicultural day to celebrate and share cultural diversity on Sunday 3rd July from
12 noon - 5pm.
Packed with fun, food and performances it’s a day for all the family.
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We want to hear from you

Your feedback is valuable to us and we'd like to receive more from you and your communities. Ideas on different ways to engage and issues you are spotting locally will help us to reduce barriers to accessing healthcare.
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Local Helplines

If you require support please contact your local authority.
Mendip District Council call 0300 303 8588
Sedgemoor District Council call 0300 303 7800
South Somerset District Council call 01935 462462
Somerset West and Taunton Council call 0300 304 8000
Somerset County Council call 0300 123 22224
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Resources and Further Information:

For the latest local information as well as digital resources, posters and flyers please visit: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/

For information and resources on staying healthy happy and safe at the time please visit: https://www.healthysomerset.co.uk/covid-19/
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