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.

Somerset can learn from BNSSG’s structured approach to embedding VCSE organisations within the ICS. Key lessons include creating a unified VCSE Alliance to strengthen collective voice; investing in micro and hyperlocal groups through “design for smaller” and grant‑first principles; using VCSE Ambassadors to influence system boards; funding participation through an Inclusion Fund; and adopting a Brokerage Framework to simplify commissioning and widen access. These approaches improve equity, diversify input, strengthen prevention, and build long-term VCSE capacity within the health and care system.

The 2024–25 Annual Report outlines progress against the Police and Crime Plan’s five priorities: strengthening neighbourhood policing; reducing violent crime (including male violence against women and girls and serious youth violence); preventing crime through partnerships; supporting victims; and improving policing standards. Key achievements include 10,000+ hotspot foot patrol hours, expanded violence‑reduction programmes, improvements in victim services, and enhanced scrutiny, training and community engagement. The report highlights collaboration with local authorities, VCFSE organisations, and national partners to build safer, more confident communities.

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 Safeguarding Adults Board Strategic Plan 2025–2028 sets out priorities for protecting adults with care and support needs by improving community engagement, addressing homelessness-related safeguarding risks, strengthening responses to domestic abuse and exploitation (including all‑age exploitation), enhancing transitional safeguarding, and improving the application of the Mental Capacity Act. The plan emphasises co‑production, early intervention, practitioner training, multi‑agency pathways, and partnership working with community groups, third sector organisations, and the Safer Somerset Partnership.

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.

Before/during/after flooding guidance and practical community preparedness content supporting cohesion and resilience.

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 Connect Somerset Impact Report 2024 showcases how VCFSE organisations play a central role in Somerset’s early‑help system. Connect Somerset is a partnership of Somerset Council, the NHS, education and community services. Overall, the report demonstrates how VCFSE involvement enhances early intervention, community resilience and accessible local support – providing useful insight into how the sector contributes to, and benefits from, joined‑up local systems.

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

This guide provides practical advice for councils on how in‑house services can be delivered through alternative models such as social enterprises, staff mutuals, cooperatives and other employee‑led organisations. The publication includes the top ten issues to assess when evaluating a proposal, sample response letters, and guidance on TUPE, pensions and procurement. It may also be useful for VCFSE organisations to understand how local government is expected to assess and respond to such requests, offering insight into the processes and considerations councils must follow.

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.

Explains how social value is evaluated in public procurement and includes award criteria and metrics. May be useful to help VCFSE organisations see how they can demonstrate outcomes or align with government processes.

Government guidance on CICs: things to consider, asset lock, dividend caps, statutory obligations etc. Useful for charities exploring diversification.

Annual report covering 2024-25. Includes strategy, details of “Wilder Somerset 2030” and the steps being taken to develop and thrive in inclusion, income generation, being an authentic voice and leading change.
Somerset Wildlife Trust report on their goals, outlining the steps taken towards them and also what they plan to do next. Includes “A movement for nature”, volunteer development, and community engagement across Somerset’s landscapes.

The Somerset profile from the Annual Museum Survey. This data is from 2020 and provides snapshot metrics of Somerset museums (visits, income, staffing, volunteers); baseline context for local heritage planning.

Up-to-date interactive reports can be found on the Museum Development website

The Museum Development programme supports museums in the South West. Page 24 details the context of support provided to the Somerset museum landscape. There are useful examples of work that has happened elsewhere in the region, statistics from the Annual Museum Survey and detail of how equality, diversity and inclusion work has been supported.

Annual review of the 2023-24 year for the Octagon Theatre and Westlands Entertainment Venue. The closure of the Octagon occured during this time and there is detail of the wider community engagement work that occured. Including but not limited to Yeovil Literary Festival, leading the Music Hub and the growth of the Arts Engagement & Outreach programme. Work areas included children and young people, art for health and wellbeing and supporting education with opportunities for pupils and training for teachers.

Year‑in‑review of performances, screenings and participation; includes in‑house pantomime production and engagement outcomes. Details community events such as playdays and projects that have been run for health and wellbeing, access and inclusion and the environment.

Details co-created approaches in Taunton, Somerset, showing how arts-led and green-space activities build community capacity and shape inclusive places. It offers practical steps, templates and evidence to support arts, culture & heritage. A partnership between Somerset Art Works and North Taunton One Team.

Details co-created approaches in Somerset, showing how arts-led and green-space activities build community capacity and shape inclusive places. It offers practical steps, templates and evidence to support arts, culture & heritage with links to community spaces and places.

Taunton Brewhouse Annual Review 2024 showcases arts, culture & heritage delivering social impact across Somerset – strengthening participation, wellbeing and inclusion. Programmes for older people and youth theatre, partnerships and access initiatives connect audiences, nurture skills and build community cohesion; children & young people; mental health and wellbeing; equality & diversity. Useful evidence for VCSEs planning creative engagement and place-based activity.

Taunton Brewhouse Annual Review 2023 showcases arts, culture & heritage delivering social impact across Somerset- strengthening participation, wellbeing and inclusion. Programmes for older people and youth theatre, partnerships and access initiatives connect audiences, nurture skills and build community cohesion; children & young people; mental health and wellbeing; equality & diversity. Useful evidence for VCSEs planning creative engagement and place-based activity.

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.

National achievements and commitments; useful context for Somerset AFC partnership planning and VCFSE engagement.

Lived‑experience insights and recommendations on healthcare access for serving families, veterans and reservists in Somerset.

Council progress update, governance/Officer Champions, and duty context across housing, health and education relevant to the Armed Forces community.

Round‑up of national and local developments, funding and events for the Armed Forces community, including partnership opportunities for groups.

Updates on Somerset’s Armed Forces Covenant delivery, champions, and statutory duty changes, plus local initiatives and hubs that charities can link with.

Explains access routes and support via Transition, Intervention and Liaison (TILS) and Complex Treatment Service (CTS) including South West contacts.

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.

Woodland management and nature‑based wellbeing outcomes in the Blackdown Hills; relevant to forestry practice and land stewardship.

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

Plain‑English UK GDPR explainer for charities (roles, lawful bases, DPIAs, breaches); handy as a board/manager primer.

Short tips for small charities: KPIs, training, incident plans, retention/erasure and transparency; links to ICO charity hub.

Sets out a county-wide framework for recruiting, supporting and celebrating volunteers across 70+ roles. Clarifies standards, safeguarding, data protection, and the Central Volunteer Team’s processes.

A comprehensive resource which explores the ‘why, what, who, when & how’ of involving children and young people in consultations for service development. While the intended audience is Local Authorities, there is lots of information, activities, practical guidance and case studies which will be useful to the VCFSE sector.

The toolkit is intended for use with Key Stage 2 aged children, in order to support them to conduct a research and action project in their school to make changes on things within their school or local community which matter to them.

There has been a growing concern within the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector that smaller or newer providers are disadvantaged in
NHS procurement processes, particularly when commissioning children and young people’s mental health services. Somerset Integrated Care Board (SICB) invited the Partnership Manager for Children and Young People’s Mental Health (CYPMH) to participate in a subsequent procurement exercise. This collaboration aimed to increase transparency, offer the VCFSE sector a clearer understanding of how NHS procurement operates, while also identifying opportunities for improvement.

This report presents the findings from activity conducted in 2024 by a multi-agency group aimed at understanding the lived experiences of children, young people, parent carers, and those who support them in accessing help for managing their emotions and mental health.
The report builds upon existing intelligence, incorporating local and national data, including insights from prior surveys. By centering the lived experiences of those involved, it
identifies barriers to accessing support and highlights areas for improvement.

This workbook is for anyone interested in community based research. It is for someone new to research as well as someone who has more experience. Each page takes you through a step in the research cycle. So, it starts with what your community needs and ends with how community members can get the best of out of the research project.

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.

This manifesto was created ahead of the 2024 General Election, calling on the government to make dementia a political priority. It highlights dementia as the UK’s biggest killer and a growing health and social care challenge, with costs projected to reach £90bn by 2040. Written by 5 organisations in collaboration (Dementia UK, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alezheimer Scotland, UK Dementia Research Institutre & Alzheimer’s Society), the document outlines 5 priority areas for action – prevention, early diagnosis, post-diagnostic support, social care funding and investment in research. Scientific breakthroughs offer hope, but urgent policy and funding commitments are needed to transform care

Recommendations from the Young Dementia Network Steering Group on the diagnosis and support for people with young onset dementia and their families. This document brings together the experience and expertise of people affected by young onset dementia and the people who work with and support them. It highlights that the impact of dementia can be very different depending on your stage of life and that because of this, services must be tailored to meet those needs.

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 ….

The Power Threat Meaning Framework is an over-arching structure for identifying patterns in emotional distress, unusual experiences and troubling behaviour, as an alternative to psychiatric diagnosis and classification. The project team’s aim was to produce a foundational document which sets out the philosophical, theoretical and empirical basis for such a framework and describes how it can serve as a conceptual alternative to psychiatric classification in relation to emotional distress and troubled or troubling behaviour.

This is an overview. A full 400+ page report is available from the British Psychological Society.

Home Start West Somerset annual report

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 Trust for Developing Communities developed an audit to help community spaces become more youth-friendly in a bid to combat youth loneliness.

The group explored the barriers that can prevent access to places. They questioned what can be done to make young people feel at ease and what would help encourage them to visit community locations. The resulting document forms a framework to help make community spaces more accessible to young people, including an audit which managers of such places can use to assess and improve their own spaces. An accompanying video is here: https://youtu.be/InW6CWVevUI

In this report, we provide the most detailed ever look at the geography of opportunity and social mobility in England. We closely examine how socio-economic background, geography and opportunity interact, with data looking at both parliamentary constituency and regional level in England. From educational attainment, to opportunities in higher education and employment, the research compares the outcomes of young people across the country, with a particular focus on the chances of social mobility for young people from lower income homes. Alongside the brief, there is an interactive map which can be accessed at: https://www.suttontrust.com/opportunity-indexinteractive-map

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.

As the national body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency exists to champion the value of youth work for young people, for local communities and for society. We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work.

A Youth Evidence Base report by SQW and the University of Warwick for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

This review located and screened over 25,000 studies from across 22 major research databases and repositories. A total of 77 studies met the review criteria for relevance and suitability. Studies were quality assessed, organised within six activity areas, and analysed in-depth by area to better understand the impacts of open access youth activities

A Youth Evidence Base report for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Our research used five datasets to explore the effects of weekly participation in youth clubs on outcomes later in life. Four of the five datasets were longitudinal studies; the fifth was a rolling annual survey. The studies covered different generations of young people from the 1970s to 2000s, and the timing of outcome measurements reflected this.

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.

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.

The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people (CYP) has been investigated both nationally and regionally. There is a wealth of data and
many reports that demonstrate the effects on CYP over the course of several years.

In 2022 Healthwatch Somerset worked with NHS Somerset ICB to create a series of case studies, to support a business case for change, by interviewing people who had lived
experience of an acquired brain injury (ABI) and neurological rehabilitation.

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.

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.

Hidden Somerset is a series of short reports looking at aspects of life in Somerset that are often hidden from view. By lifting the lid on the experience and insights of frontline grassroots charities that work at the heart of our communities, we aim to stimulate debate and understanding across a wider audience, helping to inspire new and more impactful philanthropy.

Hidden Somerset is a series of short reports looking at aspects of life in Somerset that are often hidden from view. By lifting the lid on the experience and insights of frontline grassroots charities that work at the heart of our communities, we aim to stimulate debate and understanding across a wider audience, helping to inspire new and more impactful philanthropy.

Hidden Somerset is a series of short reports looking at aspects of life in Somerset that are often hidden from view. By lifting the lid on the experience and insights of frontline grassroots charities that work at the heart of our communities, we aim to stimulate debate and understanding across a wider audience, helping to inspire new and more impactful philanthropy.

Hidden Somerset is a series of short reports looking at aspects of life in Somerset that are often hidden from view. By lifting the lid on the experience and insights of frontline grassroots charities that work at the heart of our communities, we aim to stimulate debate and understanding across a wider audience, helping to inspire new and more impactful philanthropy.

this report tells us how our funding
could support adults with learning disabilities and
autism to live fulfilling lives in their own
communities. Our aim when we commissioned this
research was to build our understanding of what
works well, what needs attention, and how positive
changes can be sustained within communities.

The HPC Community Fund, which is
funded by EDF, continues to award grants
to communities that are experiencing the
changes brought about by the construction
of Hinkley Point C, to improve their
quality of life and wellbeing.

Throughout this review, you’ll
find several stories highlighting
how carefully directed funding,
channelled through Somerset’s
brilliant local charities and social
enterprises, can transform lives and
build stronger communities.

This report draws on community consultation to tell us how our funding could support older people across Somerset

The Somerset State of the Sector report for 2024 was commissioned by Spark Somerset and builds on the work of similar reports published in 2017 and 2020.1
It examines the size and shape of the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in Somerset.

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.

I first started attending ARK at Egwood back in June 2021 as a recommendation from the mental health team at Yeovil for the mental Health and Wellbeing course in partnership with Somerset Skills and Learning.

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).

Despite the impact of Covid-19, YAS has delivered a wide range of creative opportunities for communities in Yeovil in partnership with organisations, businesses and artists. YAS reaches more than 5000 people through its activities.

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.

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.

A comprehensive report detailing the work and impact of Mind across the UK

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.

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.