Agenda item

Sue Place (sueplace@balsamcentre.org.uk) from Balsam Centre in Wincanton gave a presentation. Some of her comments were as follows:

• She wanted to raise awareness about how much thinking was done within the Parishes about health and wellbeing.
• Somerset has an aging population with a heavy reliance on NHS resources.
• There are a high level of permanent exclusions and suspensions within schools and some with low attendance, particularly since Covid.
• There is a higher admission level to hospital due to self-harm which is way above the national average for other counties with a similar demographic.
• Asked Parish Councils to think about how they could embed Health and Wellbeing in all they do as Councillors.
• There will be an Area Champion for Health and Wellbeing appointed imminently. The details will be available on the Council website.

The next presenter was Nicola Tanner (Nicola.tanner2@nhs.net) from Mendip Country Practices in Coleford. She mentioned the following:

• Health Connections is a GP practice social prescribing and health coaching team.
• People can see a Health Connector for a one-to-one appointment, they can join a group, use the online directory to find out about support available or find out about training and getting involved in the community.
• It comprises a number of GP practices across Mendip.
• Social Prescribing is for things that cant be treated by doctors or medicine alone.
• Examples include loneliness, debt, financial stress.
• Hybrid solutions such as social prescribing and health coaching result in better health outcomes.
• An estimated 20% of all doctors appoints are spent on non-medical issues.
• There are many different access points to the service, according to peoples needs, including a directory on the website that provides information on local groups and services in the community that could help improve health and wellbeing. www.healthconnectionsmendip.org

Finally, Gail Norris (gail.norris@thefileproject.co.uk) from the Filo Project gave her presentation. She gave the following details:

• The Filo Project was a small group day care facility available across Mendip (and many other areas) which provide an enriching day for people living with dementia and other older people.
• Hosts welcome approximately 5 people into their homes for a day and build a rapport with them. The same group attend each week.
• A typical day would include morning and afternoon activities, a home cooked lunch, which guests can join in cooking.
• If someone is eligible for adult social care funding this can be used to pay for the service, or it can be paid for privately.
• The service started 10 years ago and was initially for people suffering from memory loss and dementia. Now it is for anyone that is socially isolated.
• It provides respite for the persons usual carer.

In response to questions, Gail advised that the project was only just taking off in Mendip and there were hosts ready in Frome and Evercreech. They were looking for hosts within Shepton but meanwhile Shepton residents could attend Frome if they could be get transport. Also, anyone could make a referral to the service by using the referral page on the website https://www.thefiloproject.co.uk/make-a-referral or by phoning 0333 9398225. There was also Filo Family support available for carers providing a weekly phone call to lend a listening and supportive ear.

Somerset Councillor Edric Hobbs also mentioned Park Run and how it was hugely beneficial to all people, particularly those with mental health issues.