A guide to services in North Somerset

Southmead Hospital

Phone: 0117 950 5050

Southmead Outpatients Appointments Number

Phone: 0300 555 0103

Care Connect

Phone: 01275 888 801
Email: care.connect@n-somerset.gov.uk

Care Connect is a North Somerset Council service, offering impartial advice and signposting around social care needs. If more help is needed at home, Care Connect can provide information and advice on the range of support available.

Sirona Care and Health

Phone: 0300 125 6789
Email: sirch.northsomersetspa@nhs.net

Sirona provides community health and rehabilitation services. You will need to be referred to them by a healthcare professional.

Medequip

Phone: 0330 053 3655
Email: bnssg@medequip-uk.com

If you no longer need the adaptive equipment or mobility aids provided by the Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist to assist you at home, you can call Medequip and they will arrange to collect it.

Alternatively, you can return the equipment by leaving the items in one of the big blue bins by the main entrance to the Brunel building at Southmead Hospital. If you cannot find the bins, the volunteer ‘Move Makers’ in the Brunel Building atrium will be able to direct you.

Going Home from Hospital service

Phone: 01934 636 363 extension 3193
Email: hospitalteam@alliancehomes.org.uk

Offers free housing-related support to anyone over the age of 18 living within North Somerset, regardless of your housing situation.

They help with referrals/signposting for aids and adaptations including key safes and emergency alarms, benefit checks, support with housing issues, reducing social isolation and support for unpaid carers. They also support to access services such as social care, meal services, and other home help support.

If you are unable to get to the shops for food/groceries or to the chemist then there are several different options, depending on your circumstances, needs, and level of mobility.

Phone shopping services

There are companies who can take your shopping order over the phone and deliver it to your door. Payment is normally by debit or credit card over the phone. Contact your local retailer directly to find out if they offer this service.

Online shopping services

Many supermarkets offer an online home delivery service for shopping/ groceries including Asda, Co-op, Iceland, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. There is a delivery charge and usually a minimum spend applies. Payment is by debit or credit card. You will need register for the service online. Check out their websites for more information.

In addition to supermarket chains, there are also stand-alone grocery delivery services, such as Milk and More, which deliver direct from selected suppliers.

Phone: 0345 606 3606
Website: Milk Delivery Near Me | Fresh Milk Delivered | Milk & More

Chemists

Many local chemists are able to deliver your usual prescribed medications to your home. You will need to speak to your chemist about this. This may be a chargeable service.

Getting to your local supermarket, shopping centre, or chemist

Community Transport services offer help for people with limited mobility to travel door-to-door for shopping trips, medical appointments, and days out. Please see below for details.

Chew Valley Community Transport

Volunteer drivers take passengers to medical appointments including GP, dentist, optician, and hospitals. Passenger pick up areas covered: all of the Chew Valley including Dundry, Blagdon, Winford, Felton, and Regil Transport to North Somerset areas, BANES and Bristol

Phone: 01275 333 430

Congresbury Community Transport

For residents of Congresbury and the surrounding area.

Phone: 01934 257 247

Nailsea and District Community Transport

For residents of Nailsea, Clevedon, Portishead, Gordano, Felton, Yatton, Long Ashton, and the surrounding areas. Dial-a-ride annual membership scheme, minibus hire, trips, and outings.

Phone: 01275 855 552
Website: ndct.co.uk 
Email: office@ndct.co.uk

Weston and District Community Transport

For residents of Weston-Super-Mare and the surrounding areas. Dial-a-ride annual membership scheme, ‘Weston Wheels’ for medical appointments (01934 629 657), shuttle bus service.

Phone: 01934 644 373 (for bookings) 01934 611 955 (enquiries)
Website: Homepage - Weston & District Community Transport
Email: bookings@wdct.co.uk

British Red Cross

The Red Cross can provide short-term services for people who live alone, or whose family and friends are not able to assist. Services include help with everyday tasks such as picking up prescriptions or shopping. You will need to call directly to discuss how they can help you.

Phone: 0117 301 2601
Website: The British Red Cross | Worldwide Humanitarian Charity
Email: FirstCallBristol@redcross.org.uk

NHS Responders service

NHS Responders in your area may be able to assist with shopping, medication delivery, community access and welfare checks over the phone.

Phone: 0808 1963 646

Community Meals – North Somerset Council

Phone: 01275 882 155
Email: community.meals@n-somerset.gov.uk

NSC Community Meals deliver hot meals to people who have difficulty preparing food. This can be for a short time whilst recovering from an illness, or long term if you need it. The service is also a welfare check.

The hot meals are delivered around midday and are ready to eat. It will include a hot main dish and a pudding.

Orchard Care Meals on Wheels

Website: www.orchardcare.co.uk/meals-on-wheels

Phone: 01934 622 539 (Pine Lodge Care Home, Weston-super-Mare)

Orchard Care provides a service in Weston-super-Mare only where they deliver freshly cooked meals to your home. These meals are prepared daily in the professional kitchens of their local care home. Additionally, their staff can assist with a welfare check and lunchtime medication at the same time of the delivery. For this service, they charge 1/4 of an hour for the carer’s time, plus the cost of the meal. You can choose from a main meal and pudding. All meals are freshly prepared and can be frozen and reheated as needed.

Frozen ready meals delivered to your door

There are many companies which can deliver meals to you. Choose your meals and either place your order online or call them directly. You can pay by debit or credit card when placing your order but some companies allow you to pay the driver by cash or cheque on delivery.

There is a wide range of foods available to cater for all types of dietary requirements, from vegetarian to pureed meals. Meals can usually be heated in a microwave or oven and come with full instructions. If you find the instructions difficult to read, your delivery driver can re-label your meals to make this more accessible.

Oakhouse Foods

Website: Ready Meals | Home Delivered Meals and Desserts | Oakhouse Foods
Phone: 0333 370 6700

Meals must be stored in a freezer.

Parsley Box – minimum order value

Website: Parsley Box | Homepage
Phone: 0131 326 0131

Meals do not need fridge or freezer storage. Delivery to front door only.

Wiltshire Farm Foods

Website: Ready Meals Delivered - Wiltshire Farm Foods
Phone: 01275 371 993

Meals must be stored in a freezer.

Home adaptations and equipment can help you to:

• Enter and leave your home.
• Wash, bathe and use the toilet.
• Use living and sleeping areas.
• Use food preparation and cooking areas.
• Access the garden.
• Reduce risks in your home related to your condition.

Care Connect (listed under useful numbers) can offer help to any adult in need of home adaptations. However, there may be a waiting list and there are criteria for funding. It may also be helpful to contact the services below:

Handyperson Service (AMS Electrical)

Website: AMS
Phone: 01934 520 116
Email: info@amselectricalservices.co.uk (preferred for bookings)

This service is available to North Somerset residents who are aged 60 or over and/or who are registered disabled, for small essential works. The cost of labour is subsidised by the council.

The service covers:

• Fitting internal and external grab rails, banisters, and bed rails.
• Fitting key safes.
• Fitting smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and low energy light bulbs.
• Security improvements.
• Energy efficiency works.
• Access issues and door entry.
• Small plumbing jobs.
• Fitting bed and chair raisers.
• Small complete electrical jobs.
• Small carpentry jobs.
• Securing or repairing paving slabs and paths.
• Cleaning and clearing paths for access.
• Fitting external door and window locks, door chains and other home security products.
• Repairs to walls (plaster, render, pointing).
• Health and safety works.

The Motex Equipment and Demonstration Centre

Phone: 01275 888 804
Email: EDC@n-somerset.gov.uk
The Motex Centre, North Somerset Council, BS23 3YM.

This council-run equipment and demonstration centre has a wide range of equipment, adaptations, and assistive technology for you to trial. Staff offer advice on the equipment on site, and can inform you about other equipment providers, and funding for adaptations. Equipment can be purchased from the centre, with home delivery available for larger products. Contact them for free assessments and advice and to book an appointment.

Aids and adaptations include:

• Stair lifts.
• Automatic toilets.
• Adapted kitchens.
• Phoneecare.
• Level access showers.
• Steps and ramps.
• Seating.

We Care Home Improvements

Phone: 0300 323 0700
Email: info@wecr.org.uk
Website: We Care Home Improvements

We Care provide a chargeable handyman and home adaptation service. These services include:

• Installing grab rails.
• Supplying and fitting a key safe.
• Repairing window handles.
• Gutter clearing.
• Fixing taps.
• Basic gardening.
• Bathroom and kitchen adaptations.
• ‘Making space’ service with peer support group.
• Home independence centre (appointment only).

There are a number of shops throughout North Somerset which sell aids and equipment to increase independence around the home. Some offer equipment to hire for either short- or long-term use or may be able to offer secondhand equipment.

If you are uncertain of your needs speak to your Occupational Therapist or, if you have already been discharged from hospital, it is worth visiting the Motex Equipment and Demonstration Centre (listed in previous section), or contacting Care Connect (listed under Useful Numbers) to request a new Occupational Therapy assessment.

Better Mobility - Clevedon

Website: Better Mobility - Clevedon, North Somerset - Home
Phone: 01275 402 965

Sell and hire a range of products from mobility scooters, stairlifts, electric beds and riser recliners, walking aids and wheelchairs, to small daily living aids, shoes, and incontinence aids.

Dalesway Mobility– Weston-Super-Mare

Website: Mobility Aids Weston-super-Mare | Dalesway Mobility Ltd
Phone: 01934 642 002

Sell and hire wheelchairs and scooters, stairlifts, and walking aids.

Red Cross Wheelchair Hire - Warmley

Website: Hire a wheelchair | Easy and affordable | British Red Cross
Phone: 0117 301 2606

Hire child, adult and heavy-duty wheelchairs, commodes, and toilet aids

Delivery service available.

Weston Mobility – Weston-Super-Mare

Website: www.wmukmobility.co.uk
Phone: 01934 516 896

Sell, hire, buy, repair and service a range of products from mobility scooters, stairlifts, riser recliners, walking aids, wheelchairs and small daily living aids.

Wilmott Mobility - Yatton

Website: Wilmott Mobility Products | Yatton, Bristol
Phone: 01934 838 363
Email: wilmottmobility@gmail.com

Sell, repair and service a range of products from mobility scooters, stairlifts, walking aids and wheelchairs, pressure cushions and riser recliners, to daily living aids, bathing and incontinence aids.

Secondhand furniture shops

If following your hospital stay you have been advised that alternative furniture would help you manage at home, secondhand furniture shops may be able to provide what you need. You will need to visit the shops to see what they currently have available.

British Heart Foundation

Website: Shop locally or online - BHF
Shop: 9 Weston Retail Park, Weston-Super-Mare, BS23 3YY
Phone: 01934 331 575

St. Peter’s Hospice

Website: Second Hand Furniture in Bristol - St Peter's Hospice
Shop: 126 High Street, Nailsea, BS48 1AH
Phone: 01275 810 703

Centre for Sustainable Energy

Website: Home - Centre for Sustainable Energy
Phone: 0800 082 2234
Email: home.energy@cse.org.uk

The Home Energy Team provides free and impartial energy-saving advice. They can advise and support you with the following:

• Topping up prepayment meters.
• Gas, electricity, and water bills.
• Switching supplier.
• Benefits advice.
• Debt advice.
• Grants and Funding.
• Housing.

Avon Fire and Rescue Home Safety Checks

Website: Home fire safety - Avon Fire and Rescue Service
Phone: 0117 926 2061

For those who are eligible (see below) they offer a free pre- arranged visit to your home to carry out a fire safety assessment, and give you advice on how to stay safe from fire (such as what to do in the event of a fire, planning an escape route), cooking, and electrical safety.

They will fit smoke alarms and replace faulty ones free of charge and can offer additional fire safety equipment or referral to different organisations for further support.

Those who are eligible:

• Aged 65 years or over.
• Have sight and/or hearing loss.
• Have mobility concerns.
• Have mental health concerns.
• Have memory concerns.
• Are unable to escape unaided if there is a fire.
• Are a family with children under the age of 5.

We Care Home Improvements

Website: We Care Home Improvements
Phone: 0300 323 0700
Email: info@wecr.org.uk

We Care can provide home safety checks to identify safety hazards, including trip and falls risks, health risks, lack of necessary facilities and evidence of fuel poverty. They can arrange for the work to be done through their own handyperson service, or through working with local statutory bodies to source funding and tradespeople for essential works.

Warm and Well

Phone: 0800 500 3076
Website: Warm and Well | a fitter home for a healthy future

Warm and Well provide free energy efficiency advice for homeowners and private tenants to help you stay warmer and healthier in your home. Advice ranges from simple changes you can make, to helping you access grants for insulation or providing information about renewable technologies. They can help you reduce your energy bills, switch your energy tariff or supplier, or find local installers and tradespeople. They may be able to offer you a free home energy visit.

Priority Services Register

If you are a vulnerable or disabled person living at home, you may be able to join your energy supplier’s Priority Service register – contact your supplier to see if you are eligible. Being on the register ensures you get:

• Advance notice of planned power cuts.
• Priority support in an emergency.
• Access to the Identification Scheme. This is to reassure you that callers, for example meter readers, are genuine.
• Priority support when calling your network operator
• Access to the Nominee Scheme. Customers can ask their supplier to send communications (such as account statements or bills) to someone you have nominated, instead of you.
• Prepayment meter support.
• Meter reading services at appropriate intervals.
• Account and bill information in an accessible format, for example in larger print or braille.
• Access to the Nominee Scheme. Customers can ask their supplier to send communications (such as account statements or bills) to someone you have nominated, instead of you.
• Prepayment meter support.
• Meter reading services at appropriate intervals.
• Account and bill information in an accessible format, for example in larger print or braille.

Being well is not only about physical health - we all need support and companionship, especially after a period of being unwell. In North Somerset, there are many services, groups and charities which can help support you with all aspects of health and wellbeing. Information can be found on the North Somerset council website: Adult social care and support | North Somerset Council

Or phone: 01934 888 888

Support includes:

• Advice on a healthier lifestyle
• Advice on looking after your Mental Health.
• Health advice for young people (aged 16-25 years)

Community Connect

Website: Connect with your community in North Somerset
Phone: 01275 888 803
Email: communityconnect@curo-group.co.uk

Community Connect is an information and advice service for adults aged over 50, funded by North Somerset Council. It offers:

• Information and advice over the phone, face-to-face or by email.
• Tailored support to stay connected and active in the community.
• Signposting to local services and agencies.
• Social prescription service.
• Support to set up groups and activities that benefit the local area.

VitaMinds

Phone: 0333 200 1893
Website: NHS Talking Therapy | Vita Health Group

VitaMinds offers a free, confidential service on behalf of the NHS. They provide various psychological therapies for conditions such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Support is delivered either face-to-face, by phone, online, or in a group setting. You can refer yourself by giving them a call or by filling in the online form.

Befriending

Befriending is where a volunteer from an organisation can either visit you or give you a call on an ongoing basis to offer support, company, and conversation. It especially helps people who are feeling isolated and lonely. There is not normally a charge for this service.

Age UK

Phone: 01823 345 613
Website: Welcome to Age UK Somerset

Re-engage

Website: Re-engage: the charity reducing loneliness in later life
Phone: 0800 716 543

Memory Services

If you have noticed a deterioration (getting worse) in your memory, then please contact your GP for appropriate follow-up and support. If this is affecting how you are coping at home, please contact Adult Social Care for a free Occupational Therapy assessment.

Silverline (run by Age UK)

Website: The Silver Line Helpline
Phone: 0800 470 8090 (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Memory Services

If you have noticed a deterioration in your memory, then please contact your GP for appropriate follow-up and support. If this is affecting how you are coping at home, please contact Adult Social Care for a free Occupational Therapy assessment.

Alzheimer’s Society

Website: Alzheimer's Society
Phone: 0300 1313 945
Email: north.somerset@alzheimers.org.uk

Provide support and information to people with Dementia, and their carers, including:

• Carer support groups.
• Tea dances.
• Social activity groups.
• Singing for the Brain.

A carer is someone who provides support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. Carers also need to look after themselves and there are some organisations in North Somerset which can provide advice, help, and support for you.

Care Connect

Website: Support for carers | North Somerset Council
Phone: 01275 888 801
Email: care.connect@n-somerset.gov.uk

Care Connect can arrange for a worker from Adult Social Services to carry out a Care Assessment. If you meet the eligibility criteria, support can be arranged by North Somerset Council. A financial assessment will determine whether any services arranged would be chargeable.

Carers’ Support Service

Website: Support for carers | Alliance Homes
Phone: 03000 120 120 (option 3)

The Carers’ Support Service in North Somerset is led by Alliance Homes. You can register as a carer with this service without having had a carer’s assessment. They offer:

• Information and advice.
• Referrals and signposting.
• Various support groups and activities.
• Counselling service and wellbeing advice.
• Help with financial support and benefits.

Carers UK

Website: UK | Carers UK
Phone: 0808 808 7777
Email: advice@carersuk.org

A national charity that provides expert information and advice about all aspects of caring for someone, including financial issues, looking after yourself, and housing. They can also connect you with local carer support.