Bereavement Support during the Covid-19 pandemic

Support Partnership

Bereavement Support during the Covid-19 pandemic

If you’ve been bereaved and need emotional support, or someone to talk to because of the impact of the current pandemic, we’re here to help.
 
We can support anyone who has recently lost a loved one, and professionals affected by Coronavirus deaths.
How we can help
 
Marie Curie Companions can provide bereavement support for people across Somerset who are over the age of 18. This service provides telephone support calls with compassionate volunteers.
 
In addition, a further six sessions of one to one bereavement counselling can be provided by experienced bereavement support workers at Mind in Somerset specialist bereavement service. Mind in Somerset support adults and children aged 12+ . They can work in a whole family setting if needed.
We are here to help and welcome your call. 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
 

Call us on: 0800 304 7412

Author: Victoria Poole
Posted on: 22nd May 2020

#Haiflu

Since lockdown began in the UK, Poet Liv Torc has made a three-minute film each week documenting people’s perspectives of living through lockdown via their Haiku (or Haiflu) poems and photographs which are edited together to music. The result has been a really moving testimony to our collective experiences, and the process is open to everyone…find the films on YouTube searching Haiflu…

Overwhelmingly, participants have found that this process has really helped with their Mental Health and sense of community. We know that isolation increases risk of self-injury and suicide. Becoming part of this collaboration can help reduce isolation and gives us a voice.

To coincide with Mental Health Awareness week on 18th -24th of May, Liv’s film for that week will have an additional theme of ‘Acts of Kindness’. There will be a call out for people to capture their feelings and images of kindness this during that week, and to contribute to the project, just #Haiflu and #AOK to enjoy the films or to take part.

To see how to write one and how to get involved just watch this short how to video.

“The first time I came across one of Liv’s Haiflu films, was the first time I was actually able to feel something since the virus broke. I was already bereaved. I watched, read and listened to the Haiflu and for the first time in lock down I was able to concentrate long enough to process some of the Haiku’s. I was actually able to ‘feel ‘ what they were saying.”

Author: Victoria Poole
Posted on: 15th May 2020

Thank you for your support!

All of us at Mind in Somerset are incredibly touched by the support we are receiving from the local community. THANK YOU to Bridgwater Netball Club for choosing to donate £1000 to Mind in Somerset. £1000 helps our Mindline service run through the night giving people a safe space to talk.

Author: Victoria Poole
Posted on: 6th May 2020

Mindline 24/7 Emotional support helpline

Our Mindline 24/7 Emotional support helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Following a huge increase in calls, and in partnership with Public Health Somerset, our third sector allies and the NHS, we have become a gateway to hundreds of mental health options within Somerset.

Never has support for mental health been so important. We are now here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 01823 276892

Mindline is a confidential listening service which provides a safe place to talk if you, or someone you know, is in distress. We can also give basic information about mental health and local support services.

Our listeners treat all callers, regardless of background, in a non-judgmental way with dignity and respect. When our lines are busy, or closed, our switchboard can connect you to our sister service, the Samaritans.

As well as listening to your issues we can also give information about;

• local services
• how to get help
• basic information on mental health issues.

If you are looking for a helpline to talk to someone that will listen to you, Mindline has volunteers that provide a listening ear for you or someone you know.

When you call we do not trace our calls and your number will not display on our phones. We will not ask for personal details to be shared unless you or someone you know would like us to find immediate help from other services for you or them and that you agree to giving it. We will not pass on any information unless you have said it is ok to do so.

Mindline 24/7 Emotional support helpline

Author: Victoria Poole
Posted on: 20th April 2020

Coronavirus: All Groups Suspended

Having consulted with our service users, we have reluctantly decided that our peer support and other mental wellbeing support groups will not run this week. However we will be offering all those who usually attend (and anyone else who would like one) a wellbeing check-up by phone. Our support workers will be in touch to set this up.

If you have a 1-2-1 appointment booked for this week, please contact your support worker for an update. Please keep well and know that we are here for you, whatever you are going through. Give us a call on 01278 421190 during the day or Mindline on 01823 276892 between 8pm-11pm, 7 days a week.

Author: Alexander Priest
Posted on: 15th March 2020

Pupils’ charity auction raises £1,500 for us

Sacha McVay, 17, Josh Elston, 17, and Adam Boutaleb-Cross, 18, recently raised a huge total for us as part of their college coursework. The resourceful and thoughtful students are all studying Business Studies BTEC at Richard Huish and spent three months arranging a dinner and auction at the White Post Cafe near Wellington. Twenty four people attended and all the prizes were auctioned off, including the headline exclusive tour of the V & A Museum in London.  

Sacha, who has suffered from mental health issues and depression in the past, said that one of the main motivations for the fundraising was that he was a big supporter of our Mindline telephone service, which now runs 8 – 11PM seven days a week, and also the message that it promotes of getting people to open up and talk. 

Anne-Marie Russ, our Community Fundraiser, said: “This a fantastic sum to have raised and we’re really grateful to the students for their enterprise and generosity. Thanks also to The White Post Café for providing cost-effective meals enabling the lads to make a profit on ticket sales.”

Find out more on how you can fundraise for us here, or get in touch via [email protected] to see how we can work together. 

Author: Alexander Priest
Posted on: 12th February 2020

Mindline emotional support helpline now available 7 evenings a week.

Distressed? Anxious? Feeling overwhelmed? You are not alone.

We are here to listen and support you every evening 8PM – 11PM on 01823 276 892

We believe that nobody should have to face a mental health problem alone.

That is why we at Mindline Somerset have decided to expand our unique style of telephone support to seven days a week. Mindline has been running since 2002 and is run by volunteer call handlers who are specially trained to provide callers with a safe space to talk.

It is one of our most valuable services in our charity, as proven by quotes from our callers:

“Mindline is an outlet for me”

“It’s reassuring to know somebody is there if I need them”

“An understanding safe place”

Mental health has many common misconceptions, leaving people feel isolated and vulnerable. However one in six adults experience a common mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression, and one in five adults have considered taking their own life at some point. Unfortunately only a third of UK workers who have experienced a mental health problem have felt supported at work by their manager. This is why Mindline continues to provide such neccessary and pivotal support to the people of Somerset. 

Source: The Mental Health Foundation

Author: Marc Lewis
Posted on: 10th February 2020

New schools programme launched

We are delighted to announce the launch of our Speak Up! programme, developed in conjunction with Soroptimist International Taunton and Taunton Women’s Aid. The programme focuses on important issues such as healthy relationships, boundaries and self esteem.

These issues are crucial; one in ten children and young people are affected by mental health issues, and 70% of children and young people who experience a mental health problem have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age. 

Speak Up! is part of our current work with schools, ensuring that we look after the young people in our county. The programme includes lesson plans, work with the Mind staff and pre and post programme assessments to ensure that the programe’s participants learn in a way that suits them. For more information on Speak Up!, please follow this link or get in touch with Jess McKeith

Author: Alexander Priest
Posted on: 4th February 2020

Guest Chef night at the Bicknoller Inn raises £1300 for Mind in Somerset

On the 30^th of October this year, regular of the Bicknoller Inn Roger Polsom, turned his hobby of cooking into a money spinner for charity, becoming a Masterchef for the night and raising £1300 for Mind in Somerset at their highly successful ‘Guest Chef’ event.

Landlady Lesley Davis described it as “an absolutely brilliant night – Roger really came up with the goods and served up 60 meals of a five-star quality. Everyone had a fantastic time, really enjoyed the food and laughed late into the night “.  Roger’s menu featured local Scallops, Fish Pie or Steak and Kidney pudding with a vanilla pannacotta or chocolate mousse for dessert.

The fundraising event featured a raffle, with local producers donating prizes which added to their impressive total. Prizes included meat and fish from Faun and co. of Bicknoller and Weston Bay and treats and vouchers from many other local eateries and pubs including The Plough in Holford, Reeves in Dunster , Palmers Brewery and the Castle of Comfort to mention only a few.

Roger himself laughed “It was a great night but I’m never doing it again!”, where Lesley added “He’ll be back”.  Pictured from left are guest chef Roger Polsom, Maria Taylor from Mind in Somerset’s Wiser Money project and landlady Lesley Davis.  Staff at The Bicknoller Inn felt that Mental Health was an important and worthwhile cause, and particularly felt that in rural areas like ours it could ‘do with a bit of a boost’. Mind’s Maria Taylor said “We are really delighted with this generous donation, and so impressed with the generosity and goodwill of the staff and the customers at the Bicknoller Inn. The guest chef evening is a new idea and a delicious sounding one! All their hard work will go towards supporting people who are suffering with their mental health in Somerset through one of our many services throughout the county, we really can’t thank you all enough”.

There are so many ways to fundraise. Whether you want to organise a cake bake or raffle, run a marathon, take part in a Charity Boxing Challenges or stage a musical event. Check out our fundraising page for more ideas.

The best thing is that together we can also help raise awareness at the same time – let’s do as much as possible to normalise the conversation around mental health.

Author: Marc Lewis
Posted on: 11th December 2019

Mental health drop in services available

As of January 2020, we are able to offer support for anyone who feels like they are really struggling with their mental health. Instead of going to A&E, making an urgent doctor’s appointment or suffering in silence, you can visit one of our offices across Somerset in Bridgwater, Yeovil, Shepton Mallet or Taunton. There you will find a supportive member of staff who will be willing to listen and be able to help you with your problems, whatever they may be.

Here is our list of services and times:

• Taunton: Monday – Friday: 9AM – 10:30PM, Saturday & Sunday: 8PM – 10:30PM.
• Details: 01823 334906. Sussex Lodge, 44 Station Rd, Taunton Somerset TA1 1NS
• Yeovil: Monday – Friday: 9AM – 4:30PM.
• Details: 01935 474875. Yeovil Small Business Centre, Houndstone Business Park, Yeovil BA22 8WA
• Bridgwater: Monday – Friday: 9AM – 4:30PM
• Details: 01278 421190. Town Hall, High St, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3AS
• Shepton Mallet: Monday – Friday: 9AM – 4:30PM
• Details: 07395 259304. Shepton Mallet, Somerset

Please phone before though so we know that you are coming, and note that we cannot take anyone under eighteen or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Due to health and safety procedures we cannot guarantee there is an accessible toilet facility on site.

Alternatively, if you do not feel comfortable visiting the office or struggle with transport getting there, you can use our Mindline telephone support service. You can reach us on 01823 276892. This service will be open every night of the week 8PM -11PM, while Mindline Trans+ will be open every Friday 8PM – midnight. Mindline Trans+ is a confidential emotional, mental health support helpline and signposting service for people who identify as Trans, A Gender, Gender Fluid, or Non-binary. You can reach that service on 0300 330 5468

For more information on dealing with a mental health emergency, please visit the NHS website. For services available in the county specifically, please visit SOMPAR’s page.

Author: Alexander Priest
Posted on: 10th December 2019