Document Category: Physical Health and Wellbeing

Spark iT was founded in 2021, as the UK emerged from Covid, to tackle digital exclusion at its roots. Today, partnering with community spaces to run
Digital Cafés across Somerset each month, more than 30 cafés open their doors. Each with trained and friendly volunteer Digital Champions on hand, ready to help.
They’re free, welcoming to everyone, and support people to use the internet safely and access online services that support their health, wellbeing and daily lives.

PROMISEworks latest results from a year of imbedding impact and presenting needs analysis.

Understanding Integration: How to Listen to and Learn From People and Communities is a practical framework that can be used to help support systems listen to and learn from people and communities about their experiences of integrated care. Designed for anyone working within a local health and care system, it is intended to encourage NHS, local authorities and other local partners to work, listen and learn together.

A document from 2021, outlining the 8 principles and implications of place based working, in the context of the emerging Integrated Care Boards (at the time). The document is a practical framework to help partners embed community development with strong links to community cohesion. It emphasises the importance of the lived experiences of people in communities, co-production and place-based delivery. It offers a variety of tools, case studies and prompts that VCFSEs can adapt to improve community outcomes.

This toolkit was developed through the work of Common Ambition Bristol (CAB), a community powered co-production project.
•The toolkit shares the learning from the first three years of Common Ambition Bristol’s co-production process.
• It will be of use to teams who want to co-produce health service improvement with minoritised communities.

The Somerset VRP Annual Report outlines multi‑agency work to prevent and reduce serious violence through early intervention, data‑led action and community partnership. Key activity includes governance for serious youth violence, Safer Somerset Priorities tactical meetings, police Early Intervention Team work, behaviour‑change education for pupils, town‑centre youth safety programmes, online harm reduction, and commissioning of high‑impact interventions such as A&E navigators, sports mentors and school‑based “teachable moments”. The VRP prioritises knife crime, street‑based violence and sexual violence for 2025–26, with a strong focus on safeguarding, prevention and community safety.

Somerset’s refreshed Joint Forward Plan sets out how the Integrated Care System will deliver the county’s Health and Care Strategy from 2024–2029. It focuses on five priorities: restoring financial sustainability, developing the workforce, improving system flow, strengthening integrated neighbourhood teams, and transforming population health. The plan responds to significant financial pressures, growing demand and inequalities, and places strong emphasis on prevention, partnership with the VCFSE, data-driven decision making and supporting people to live healthier, independent lives.

The Somerset Council Plan 2023–2027 sets out the vision for building a fairer, greener, healthier and more resilient Somerset. It focuses on four priority areas: tackling the climate and ecological emergencies; improving health and wellbeing; reducing inequalities; and strengthening Somerset’s economy and communities. The plan emphasises prevention, community involvement, partnership working, improving access to services, supporting education and skills, enabling sustainable growth, protecting vulnerable residents, and promoting cultural, economic and environmental resilience. It also highlights the role of Local Community Networks, sustainable transport, green technologies, inclusive services, decent housing, and supporting local jobs and opportunities.

The Somerset Children and Young People’s Plan (2024–30), shaped by the voices of 6,000 children and young people, sets a shared vision for a safe, child‑friendly Somerset where all young people are happy, healthy and prepared for adulthood. Developed by partners including Education for Life Board, Public Health, Connect Somerset, Safer Somerset Partnership and the ICS Children, Young People & Families Partnership Board, it outlines priorities spanning education, healthy lifestyles, mental health, community safety, relationships and adulthood preparation. For VCFSE groups, it highlights collaboration opportunities, early‑help roles, community‑based support and ways to shape services through youth voice.

The Improving Lives Strategy (2019–2028) sets a shared vision for improving health, wellbeing and life chances across Somerset by tackling the wider social determinants of health. Developed by the Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board and partners including Somerset County Council, NHS organisations, the historic district councils, Avon & Somerset Constabulary and Healthwatch, it focuses on prevention, fairer life chances, stronger communities and healthier, more independent living. For VCFSE organisations, it outlines partnership roles, opportunities to influence priorities, shape prevention work, strengthen community resilience and collaborate across sectors to support disadvantaged groups and deliver local impact.

The Integrated Health and Care Strategy for Somerset (2023–2028) sets out a shared vision to improve health, reduce inequalities and redesign services through prevention, early support and integrated system working. Developed jointly by Somerset Council, NHS Somerset, the Somerset Integrated Care Partnership and the Somerset Health & Wellbeing Board (with strong involvement from the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector) it positions VCFSE organisations as key partners in shaping neighbourhood‑based care, supporting disadvantaged communities, and strengthening prevention, wellbeing and local engagement.

The Safer Somerset Partnership is a statutory group working to reduce crime, disorder, anti-social behaviour and re‑offending across Somerset. Its community safety plan aligns with the Improving Lives strategy, Fit for My Future strategy, Children and Young People’s Plan and the Somerset Safeguarding Adults Board strategic plan, and complements the police and crime plan for Somerset. Covering June 2022 to March 2025, it focuses on high‑impact issues such as anti-social behaviour, hate crime, serious violence (including violence against women and girls), victim protection, youth crime and county lines.

Evaluation of Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP)’s project – Beat the Street – which was run in Shepton Mallet & Wells in 2023. This is an evidence-based, mass participation programme that enables long-term behaviour change and improved partner working. It connects individuals with their local environment and supports people to make simple modifications to everyday behaviour. Includes a mix of qualitative and quantitative data and what behaviours have been changed as a result.

Evaluation of Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP)’s project – Beat the Street – which was run in Yeovil in 2022. This is an evidence-based, mass participation programme that enables long-term behaviour change and improved partner working. It connects individuals with their local environment and supports people to make simple modifications to everyday behaviour. Includes a mix of qualitative and quantitative data and what behaviours have been changed as a result.

Evaluation of Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP)’s project – Beat the Street – which was run in Bridgwater in 2020. This is an evidence-based, mass participation programme that enables long-term behaviour change and improved partner working. It connects individuals with their local environment and supports people to make simple modifications to everyday behaviour. Includes a mix of qualitative and quantitative data and what behaviours have been changed as a result.

Evaluation of Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP)’s project – Beat the Street – which was run in Taunton in 2021. This is an evidence-based, mass participation programme that enables long-term behaviour change and improved partner working. It connects individuals with their local environment and supports people to make simple modifications to everyday behaviour. Includes a mix of qualitative and quantitative data and what behaviours have been changed as a result.

The fundamental concept of the Dementia 100: Pathway Assessment Tool is to provide a mechanism for capturing and understanding the characteristics and specific requirements that are considered key to the development and delivery of service and care needs for people living with dementia and their carers. The Dementia 100 extracts and combines pertinent information from multiple sources into a single, consolidated tool for self-assessment. Completed at Place level, it provides a holistic and integrated view of service provision. At system level it aids strategic planning and sharing best practice.

‘The World Turned Upside Down’ is a play that was staged in Exeter in January 2022. This film shows both the play itself and the process of creating it. We hope that many different types of people will be interested in ‘The World Turned Upside Down’. This guide is designed to help you set up and run your own screening in your local community. Inside are suggestions for how to set up and facilitate a screening event, but everyone’s set-up and audience will be unique. Pick and choose what will work best for you.

The Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project (DEEP) have produced guidelines for journalists, organisations and communications departments to inform why language about dementia matters. It allows people to use words and descriptions which was accurate, balanced and respectful. The language used to talk about dementia influences how people with dementia are views and also how they feel about themselves

How is research reducing health disparities? The UK Dementia Research Institute published this report in 2022. It looks at the statistics of dementia research and considers how health inequalities may play a role in understanding the true impact of dementia. They explore how dementia research may help to understand how and why different groups are affected differently by the same diseases, in order to target nterventions where they are most needed to maximise their benefit. “We must reject longstanding biases in scientific research, and instead innovate in the name of inclusivity”

Supporting South Asian carers of relatives with dementia in Rochdale – an Evaluation Report
An evaluation of the Dementia Dekh Bhaal (meaning ‘to care for dementia’) project, set up by tide (together in dementia everyday). The project was commissioned to address the needs of South Asian carers by developing and delivering a training package for professionals, campaign to increase awareness and use the power of stories to change perceptions. The project used an Asset Based Community Development approach and used ‘Lived Experience’. It was seen as successful and was recommended to be embedded in other community engagement projects

A Perspective from Carers of People living with Dementia
tide (together in dementia everyday) conducted some research looking at the experience of carers of people living with dementia, who are often surrounded with support from many services but feel isolated and crowded with responsibility. This full report explores 6 key themes identified, with additional insights and stories shared. Recommendations for national change are provided

A Perspective from Carers of People living with Dementia
Research undertaken in 2021 to look at the experiences of carers of people living with dementia, who are often ‘engaged’ with many support services, but feel isolated and crowded with responsibility.
An executive summary of the report

tide (together in dementia everyday) have created a booklet for anyone working with carers of people with dementia, to help them support those individuals with living grief

The experiences of family carers when the person they have looked after goes into a care home. Tide (Together In Dementia Everyday) sought feedback from carers once the person they cared for had moved into a care home. It was a lack of consistency across care homes and prompted tide to raise awareness of this disparity and make recommendations for future action.

A guide for those living with dementia and their carers and family. The toolkit is arranged in 5 themes – stay safe and well, stay connected, keep a sense of purpose, stay active, stay positive. It was created based on research and co-production with a group of people with dementia and carers. Includes links to research and signposts to further information for resources to help people with dementia. An example of how documents can be made accessible, with explanations about QR codes etc

This document sets out the vision of a group of dementia organisations in the UK who have come together as One Dementia Voice. It outlines how these organisations are thinking differently about their support for those living with dementia, and how wider societal barriers can be overcome with the right support. It addresses frequently asked questions and provides suggestions on how to embed ‘Dementia and Hope’ into your organisation. There are also many personal stories and examples of how ‘reasonable adjustments’ can and should be made for people with dementia.

Good practice in young onset dementia

This document summarises the findings from The Angela Project, a 3 year long Alzheimer’s Society funded research study. Researchers consulted young people living with dementia and their families, international clinical experts and service providers in the largest study of young onset dementia ever carried out in the UK. It aims to raise awareness of inequalities and provide evidence-based recommendations for good practice on areas of diagnosis, patient support, post-diagnostic support and service design and delivery.

In 2022, Innovations in Dementia working with a number of libraries in the UK to explore their experiences of dementia and opportunities for further work and connection. This document outlines some key findings from that research, divided into 4 key sections: Key statistics about digital exclusion, ‘how to’ tips on bidding for and managing funded dementia projects, case study examples and ‘how to’ guides for supporting and encouraging people to access simple technology. Whilst aimed at libraries, findings apply to anyone considering dementia support and digital inclusion

IDEAL is the largest study of living well with dementia in Great Britain and began in 2014. The eveidence will enable the development of new policy, interventions and initiatives to transform the lives of people with dementia and their carers. The policy brief sets out key messages, key findings, provides information about IDEAL and signposts to resources and research papers

The Labour Party National Youth Strategy, which outlines the actions the government are committing to over the next 10 years to secrure the future that young people have told them that they want

A report commissioned by DCMS’s Secretary of State, highlighting current patterns, challenges, and wants that are shaping young people’s lives. It draws together voices of 14,000+ young people aged 10-21 (up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)) who engaged in the National Youth Strategy Survey. It also uses insights collated through policy engagement, qualitative data collection and wider evidence collation. The report is partially based on commissioned research that was led by Savanta and their colleagues at My Life My Say and the #iwill Movement (Volunteering Matters and UK Youth) including their Youth Collaborators.

A few months ago the incoming Government published a 10 Year Health Plan, which sets out the transformational change it believes is needed to put the NHS on an even keel and make it fit for the future. Age UK strongly supports its main thrust, the aim of shifting the emphasis in healthcare ‘from hospital to home’ through the development of a Neighbourhood Health Service. We were pleased and honoured to be able to contribute to the development of this part of the Plan. As the initiative is rolled out ….

Healthwatch Somerset explores the quality of the transfer of care process in Somerset and use the experiences of people who have been discharged from hospital to inform the organisations involved to support change and improve the process.

In January 2022, we released a commentary about the Lack of NHS Dentists in Somerset highlighting the concerning shortage of accessible dental care in the county, and the
pressing issue of limited access to NHS dentists which was causing widespread public concern. The inability to secure dentist appointments has led to frustration, disproportionately
affecting vulnerable groups like parents seeking care for their children, pregnant women, and those reliant on benefits for whom private dental care is financially unattainable.

A look at booking an appointment with your GP in Somerset

It is evident over the past year that the public profile of Healthwatch Somerset has been raised because we have seen an increase in the number of people we have heard from and been in contact with. This public feedback and involvement, along with other sources of evidence, has helped us deliver impactful work this year and formulate a work plan for the
coming year.

Unlocking the power of people-driven care – Healthwatch Somerset has had another busy year with a myriad of issues being shared with us. The main concern has been around the lack of NHS dental services in Somerset. We are very fortunate that even though staff numbers are small we have a dedicated team, enabling us to produce the impressive volume of work in 2024/2025. We are increasingly asked to represent Healthwatch on various committees, and our role as an independent advocate is valued.

SASP helps people find ways to move more that work for them to promote good health and happiness and are pleased to be working with hospitals across Somerset with this new service.

Using ActiveWalls to run fun activity sessions with pupils, pupils of other local schools, and families of pupils. These walls are located indoors and outdoors (in a sheltered spot).

We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. This review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months. The review looks at the success of each key activity and the benefits they have brought to those groups of people we are set up to help.

At SASP, we are in the unique position of working across all levels of the system to reduce inequalities in physical activity across Somerset.

The 2023/24 fiscal year was a year of transition for CCS with internal reviews, contingency planning, and development of our new Strategy, aligned to our new Vision, Mission and Values.

Welcome and thank you for taking the time to read ARK at Egwood’s three-year Celebration Report, which has provided us all with an opportunity to reflect upon what has been an incredible journey so far.