Support Groups
Community hubs and mental health support groups
Bath and North East Somerset Council and Wiltshire Council had set up community hubs to help people during the Covid crisis. These, together with other local support organisations, are listed below. A link to which can also be found on the LiFERAFT Information sheet
Bath Mind and Breathing Space
Bath Mind is a local, independent charity providing services who are dealing with calls from residents who are feeling anxious, isolated, or with low mood, or from people with more complex issues and ongoing poor mental health seeking advice and support. They spend time listening to people, talking through their concerns and discussing some options to support their wellbeing. This often includes linking up with and signposting to other relevant organisations who can help. The Bath Mind team will also make regular follow up calls if required.
Bath MIND is offering a new service - Breathing Space - which is a calm, non-clinical, evening telephone service supporting individuals who are experiencing, or at risk of a mental health crisis. It is open 365 days a year between 5.30pm and 11.30pm every evening supporting members of the community at the point of mental health distress or crisis. This service provides practical and emotional support and may be used as an alternative to admission to statutory services. To access the service, ☎ 01225 983130 or e-mail: breathingspace@bathmind.org.uk, or click here Breathing Space.
Bradford on Avon Lions Club
Bradford on Avon Lions Club organise community events, raise money to support local individuals and organisations and are a friend to people in need in our community. They are ordinary men and women and are non political and secular.
If you know of an individual and organisation that could really benefit from their help, either financially or in some other way please contact them at enquiries@boalions.org.uk or visit their website at https://www.boalions.org.uk/
Carer Support Wiltshire
Carer Support Wiltshire is a charity which supports people who look after someone with dementia, physical disabilities or mental health challenges. If you have questions about support services or government benefits such as Attendance Allowance, please email Tom Fox at tomf@carersupportwiltshire.co.uk or call 07957 429303.
Community Wellbeing Hub
BANES Wellbeing Hub
The Community Wellbeing Hub continues to provide critical support for vulnerable people who are self-isolating or who have no access to local social support networks.
The hub is a collaboration between Bath & North East Somerset Council, Virgin Care and third sector organisation representatives 3SG. Residents across Bath and North East Somerset can contact the Hub or organisations can refer someone who is in need of help by:
☎ 0300 247 0050
Emailing: BATHNES.thehub@virgincare.co.uk
Texting: 07870 868368
Visiting the Website: www.communitywellbeinghub.co.uk
Following on social media: Twitter - @CWHBANES
The Community Wellbeing Hub is open from Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm. For all updates on council services go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/coronavirus
Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub
Information about the Wellbeing Hub and COVID related services can be found at wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-coronavirus.
Or call 0300 003 4576 or email wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk
Compassionate Communities in B&NES and Wiltshire
Our local authorities are working closely with MIND to provide wider support for mental health issues. These services all provide non-judgemental advice and support and also activities, and can be contacted through a central hub, where your query will either be addressed immediately or be passed to the appropriate group.
The contact details are:
BANES: ☎ 0300 247 0050 (9am to 5pm)
Wiltshire: ☎ 0300 003 4576 (8am to 8pm)
Mindline Somerset
A confidential listening service which provides a safe place to talk if you, or someone you know, is in distress during this time. They also give basic information about mental health and local support services.
☎ 01823 276 892
Monday to Friday: 9.00 - 23.00
Saturday & Sunday: 8.00 - 23.00
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
The coronavirus outbreak brings new challenges for people living through domestic abuse. Support is available online through the following: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
Or call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24/7 service) ☎ 0808 2000 247
NHS Mental Health Crisis Line
The crisis line can be called by anyone of any age and works in a similar way to the NHS 111 service: calls are triaged, and a local healthcare provider will call back.
To find out more about the service, please click on the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/dealing-with-a-mental-health-crisis-or-emergency/
Sarsas (Somerset and Avon rape and sexual abuse service)
Are running extended hours on their helpline: https://www.sarsas.org.uk/contact-us/
The Helphub
The helphub is a charity set up of a group of qualified therapists who are giving their time freely to help people. If you would like a 20 minute chat on Skype, FaceTime or on the telephone, you will be able to book a session through the calendar. Click here for more information The Help Hub - Supporting those in isolation
Women’s aid
Offers online support: 10.00 - 12.00 noon each day: https://chat.womensaid.org.uk/