Partnerships and Collaboration

Well Wessex

Well Wessex, a well-being partnership group formed in November 2017, comprises of:

Heads Up (Wells)
The Balsam Centre (Wincanton)
Chard WATCH (Chard)
Ark at Egwood (Merriott)

The initiative was started by Lucy Nelson (High Sheriff 2015/16) and is supported by the Somerset Community Foundation to improve the provision of mental health support services across Somerset, helping us to work together, share knowledge, and make better use of our joint expertise and resources.

Each of the organisations is engaged in supporting recovery, independence and resilience through work with Social and community structures, to allow individuals to connect, learn and grow. Together we provide services to the value of around one million pounds each year.

The starting point for Well Wessex was simple: we wanted to explore whether we could do more and be better if we collaborated with other organisations working in the same field. We have been meeting regularly for over a year, and have built a common understanding and trust that will act as a solid foundation for the future.

Unlike other partnerships, this has not been driven by an external funding opportunity but by our shared ambition to grow our collective impact for the benefit of Somerset by working together.

The initiative was formally launched on 1 November 2017 with a visit from HRH The Countess of Wessex and we are now working towards our first major joint bid for funding as a partnership.

You can read about this visit here.

Wells Dementia Action Alliance

A large proportion of the adults in the Wells area are over the age of 65, as many people choose to retire to the picturesque West Country.

To achieve the goal of a Dementia Friendly City, an alliance was set up comprising of representatives from local businesses, civic organisations, health and social care providers, schools, faith groups and rescue services. Heads Up Somerset is part of this alliance.

This Local Alliance helps deliver the objectives of the National Dementia Declaration at a local level and supports the objectives of the City of Wells, as a Dementia Friendly Community.

Email: info@wellsdementia.org.uk

Phone: 01749 670087