A Growing Health Tool Kit is a practical guide produced by Garden Organic and Sustain to help community food growing projects work with the health and social care system. It explains how health commissioning works, how to develop and present food growing activities as health services, and how to gather evidence and measure impact. The toolkit brings together research on the physical, mental and social benefits of gardening, alongside product examples, evaluation tools and case studies of commissioned projects. It is designed to support community growers to secure funding, build partnerships and contribute to public health outcomes.

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.

This document gives practical insights into cradle-to-career (C2C) models and community-based approaches for improving social mobility. It provides actionable steps, case studies, and 15 innovative practices that can be adopted to support under-resourced children and families. By reading, VCFSEs will gain strategies for partnership, community engagement, and sustainable impact, helping them drive joined-up, relational support and systemic change in their local areas. Holyrood School in Chard is one of the case studies

The Nelson Trust 2025 Impact Report highlights a year of growth, connection, and transformative support for individuals facing addiction and multiple disadvantages. ​ Key achievements include the opening of new Women’s Centres, impactful recovery services, innovative training programs, and successful fundraising events. The report celebrates their 40th anniversary, showcasing milestones like the Coronation Meadow event, the One Wales service expansion, and partnerships with HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. ​ With a focus on holistic, trauma-informed care and community collaboration, the report demonstrates the Trust’s commitment to making meaningful change and outlines its vision for an even greater impact in 2026.

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.

An overview of the ‘spinning out’ process – statutory services becoming their own entity, including examples of why that might happen and what may need to be considered. May be useful considerations for VCFSEs when looking at wider system planning. Important to note this is a presentation and not full detail is provided and it appears to be an older document. Intended to provoke general thinking rather than be a step by step guide

Official detailed CIC annual report form example, to demonstrate what the CIC regulator is looking for from a report to demonstrate public benefit. Also includes a link to gov.uk website for further guidance and support completing the form

Official simplified CIC annual report form example, to demonstrate what the CIC regulator is looking for from a report to demonstrate public benefit. Also includes a link to gov.uk website for further guidance and support completing the form

Trends, approvals, dissolutions and case studies of CICs – useful context for VCFSEs weighing CIC structures for traded income.

A report from NHS Somerset (Integrated Care Board) that outlines the collaborative working happening in Somerset to support the veteran community.

Mixed‑methods evaluation showing reductions in depression, anxiety and PTSD; highlights value of integrated veteran staff and social support.

Ten council case studies; practical learning on governance, pathways and commissioning to support local Armed Forces communities.

Local authority policy commitment under Armed Forces Act 2021; principles, duties and fair access for the Armed Forces community.

Post‑adoption support initiative with proactive, targeted calls and referral pathways; evidence on reducing returns and improving welfare.

People-centred neutering model addressing barriers, partnership working and behaviour-change to improve cat welfare in priority communities.

Somerset river habitat audit with recommendations for riparian management; useful for fisheries, land managers and community groups.

Independent evaluation of a nature‑based wellbeing programme in Mendip Hills National Landscape, with volunteer hours and outcomes

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

Minehead Eye Impact Report 2020 – 2023
West Somerset Youth and Community Organisation, a look at 3 years of progress.

This document is a report detailing the research undertaken by the HYPE (Hestercombe Young People Evolving) group, which is part of the Hestercombe LCN Children and Young People’s group. This project is part-funded by SALC and the parishes within the Hestercombe LCN.

With the findings from this research, we are now able to plan and deliver youth provision to young people in their communities.

This report provides the first causal estimates of the effects of youth clubs on education and crime, leveraging quasi-experimental variation from austerity-related cuts, which led to the closure of 30% of youth clubs in London between 2010-19. Difference-in-differences research designs and novel data were used to compare neighbourhoods. Teenagers in areas affected performed nearly 4% worse in national high-school exams. Youths aged 10 to 17 became 14% more likely to commit crimes. Closing youth clubs was not cost-effective; for every £1 saved from closures, there are associated losses of nearly £3 due to forgone returns to education and crime costs.

The Centre for Young Lives outlines a vision for transforming youth provision in the UK, emphasizing safe spaces, engaging activities, and trusted adult relationships. ​The proposed Young Futures programme includes 1,000 youth centres, year-round activities, and 10,000 trained youth practitioners. This investment, costing £1.46 billion over three years, aims to address challenges like youth crime, mental health crises, and educational disparities. ​Alma Economics estimates a £2.40 return for every £1 invested, with benefits in education, mental health, and crime reduction. The report calls for sustainable funding and a coordinated national strategy to ensure equitable opportunities for all young people. ​

Research exploring the needs and preferences of young people and youth practitioners in England

National Citizen’s Service (NCS) want to understand the latest perceptions, needs and preferences of young people and youth practitioners across England, in relation to youth provision. In January 2024, NCS commissioned UK Youth to undertake qualitative research to explore this topic. Insights were gathered through mixed methods, with a strong focus on an innovative approach to soliciting and analysing audio-recorded testimonies.

A Youth Evidence Base report studying the local impact of youth clubs.

The goal of this research was to understand what impact the presence of youth clubs have on local areas. Data sources were predominantly official statistics relating to national and local government. Some data were unavailable for all areas of interest, or were reported inconsistently across different local authorities. We encountered data shortages relating to the numbers of youth clubs, and youth workforce headcount including volunteers, and participants. Interviewees said that the trends revealed in our analysis nevertheless broadly reflected their experiences.

Youth work can transform lives. It provides a safe place for young people to find their place in society and learn practical skills to help them realise their full potential. In these difficult times, this is more important than ever. New research by UK Youth and economics consultancy, Frontier Economics, has found that annual investment in youth work saves the government as much as £3.2 billion.

The results highlighted in this report are the result of the hard work and effort of our team. Their interactions with young people and preschool children would not have been as successful as this report demonstrates, had it not been for their excellent commitment to providing opportunity and challenge to young people and working together to achieve this common objective.

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.

We received a multi-year grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation in 2021 to support the work our charity delivers in communities with young people and for families. This second report highlights the impact this grant has made during 2022/23, the second period and details regarding our participants, the outcomes of our work, case studies and what we are proud of achieving during this period.

This review outlines our wide range of services and projects delivered in 2022. It explains our impact as we fulfil our charitable objectives to be responsive to needs and improve the lives of children, young people, their families, and local communities.

Delivering inspirational mentoring to Somerset’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.

For many of the groups we support, a grant from The Somerset Fund made a huge difference, enabling them to keep going despite these uncertain times.

MM is 22 years old and has autism and sensory processing difficulties. MM joined the Hub from a Special Educational Needs department in the local college where he received 1:1 support.

30 year old female that has been with the Hub for a number of years. She has severe non verbal Autism, ADHD, OCD and anxiety. LC had funding for attending the Hub two days per week from the Local Authority.

Situated in the lovely Westcountry countryside, the Ark for me has come to be a haven for finding peace of mind and escaping from the stresses of everyday life.

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).

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

2020 will be forever remembered for two global events. One that changed everyone’s lives and one that needs to. The former, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the latter, the murder of George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis and the resulting worldwide calls for change. As a charity these tragic events have shaped and informed our year.

Citizens Advice Somerset impact report for the period 1st of April 2023 to 31st March 2024

Infographic style report that summarises the centre’s activities and impact between April 2023 and March 2024

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.