The Health and Wellbeing Team is committed to ensuring that rurally isolated children and young people in Somerset can access emotional health based services and provide them with a variety of activities to help them develop their personal, social and emotional skills – meaning they lead healthy lifestyles and make positive life choices. Group workshops and targeted residential experiences, peer support and education groups are all provided by the team.

SAFE GROUP

We are now running Taunton’s first referral only ‘SAFE’ (Support & Activities Friendly Environment) Group. The group is for young people affected by mental health issues. The programme of activities is planned by the young people themselves and facilitated by SRYP project workers.

The Safe Group was previously funded by Comic Relief - Red Nose Day. Jess, one young person who attends "SAFE" was interviewed and her story was played on "The Surgery" on BBC Radio One. You can listen to it at this link.

Jess seen here recording her interview in the studio

Somerset Rural Youth Project (SRYP) is now working with The Care Forum to co-ordinate the Healthwatch for young people across Somerset.

Healthwatch is a new national organisation responsible for collecting and sharing the public’s view on health and social care services across the country. Healthwatch will link in with existing networks of public groups (for example GP patient groups and charities) which will then come together to form a board to feed back comments to service providers and their commissioners. You can find out more about Healthwatch in Somerset by visiting www.healthwatchsomerset.co.uk

Building on the success of the NHS Young People Friendly Services work SRYP already does, the young people involved will be given additional training and support to get them interested and involved with Healthwatch. Depending on the requests of the young people who become involved we could even form a ‘Young Healthwatch’ board which would feed into the main board…but that will need to be decided by the young people themselves.

If any young people aged 11-25 years are interested in becoming involved with this exciting new project – you don’t have to have first-hand experience of the NHS, just an interest in healthcare and a passion for getting the voices of young people heard. It would look really good on your C.V. or in your Record of Achievement for example. If you are interested in getting involved or would like to find out more please contact Gail on 07800 708862 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

SRYP Young People give the OK to hospital Young People Friendly services.

Musgrove Park hospital has been working towards ensuring its GU clinic offers welcoming and easily accessible services for young people. Young people from SRYP carried out a verification visit and gave it the "thumbs up". A full report on the process at this link

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MOBILE HEALTH BUS AND PEER EDUCATION

We have a mobile health bus (currently visiting Axbridge) which we take into rural areas to provide young people with access to support services and advice on issues that matter to them.  It is run by SRYP staff in conjunction with some young people who have completed the Youth Leader (peer educator) Programme, run by SRYP.

The cafe offers non-alcoholic ‘cocktails’ and a place to meet, chat and pick up information on health related issues. The Health Bus is funded by the Lloyds TSB Foundation.

Mental Health Seminar/Workshop

Health and Wellbeing recently organised a half day workshop open to all those working with young people, especially in rural areas and in particular dealing with issues of self-harm. There was very positive feedback from all who attended, further similar sessions may follow.

121 TARGETED SUPPORT

If appropriate we can work on a 1:1 basis with young people requiring additional help on matters relating to health & wellbeing.

Referrals from partner agencies are welcome. Download a form which can be used to make a referral

1:1 SUPPORT SESSIONS

These are available for young people facing problems with bullying, drug & alcohol misuse, mental health problems, self-harm, low self-esteem, and sexual health issues.

OTHER SERVICES

We run smoking cessation groups in schools, attend youth clubs to provide information, advice & guidance on health-related issues and can tailor programmes to individual needs. Other agencies or professionals working with young people who they feel could benefit from a referral to our Targeted Support Team can download and use this form.

For more information on all of the above you can contact Gail Snook on 01278-722100.

Further web links

Information and Advice for young people in the gay, lesbian and bi-sexual community in Somerset.

A smart-phone app with information about contraception and sexual health advice in Somerset.

Android version on Google Play  and iphone version on itunes.

A comprehensive list of support resources for young people can be found here.

Project Worker - Gail Snook

Mobile / Text 07800 708862

Email; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Targeted Support Office, SRYP, Unit 2, Suprema Estate,

Edington, Bridgwater, TA7 9LF

Office telephone: 01278 722100