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Somerset County Council has joined with Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) to organise a programme of activities for the Easter Holidays, aimed at countering the triple inequalities facing Somerset’s most disadvantaged young people – holiday hunger, physical inactivity, and social isolation. |
Organisations across the county will be offering four half-days to young people in receipt of free school meals. With the restrictions of COVID-19 there will be both face to face provision and a virtual offer ensuring there is a spread of opportunities across the County during the COVID-19 restrictions for young people.
The County Council has already confirmed it will continue to fund Free School Meals provision for vulnerable families over the Easter holidays.
As details are available they will be available on the SASP website.
If you know a family who needs support please encourage them to contact Somerset Coronavirus Helpline on 0300 790 6275 which will help by linking your families to appropriate support, depending on their needs - including for food.
 In partnership with UK Youth, Young Somerset are delivering an exciting programme called Active Youth! Active Youth is all about inspiring young people to get active and try new challenges. Young people aged 10-18 can join one of the Active Youth sessions online, to improve their physical activity, whilst meeting other young people!
You do not need any experience or level of fitness to take part - this is open to all 10-18 year olds. There will be a total of six sessions which will take place weekly, starting in March.
To find out more click here or email Chris: chrisbucksey@youngsomerset.org.uk or call: 07966 991446
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In partnership with Somerset Skills & Learning, Young Somerset are hosting a series of free online workshops to give families the right tools and advice to be able to support their wellbeing during lockdown.
The course includes four consecutive, 2 hour sessions and will take place weekly on Monday evenings 18:00-20:00. This is a rolling course and is being repeated monthly until July.
You can still enrol even if you cannot attend all four sessions. Click here to book.
Please contact ruthgavenlock@youngsomerset.org.uk if you have any questions.
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Young Somerset has a range of support available for children and young people's wellbeing and mental health.
To find details of how to chat to a member of their wellbeing team click here or find out more and receive their newsletter visit their website.
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Somerset residents are being urged to be patient as the county and country begin to emerge from the latest lockdown. The first step towards easing national COVID-19 restrictions was taken this week with the return to school of thousands of children and young people, and changes to some rules on social mixing.
These first steps are welcome, but people must remember to keep to the guidance to keep coronavirus cases low and make sure the four-step route to easing national restrictions is a success.
As well as reopening schools, rules on socialising in a public space have relaxed. Under the new rules one person can sit down with another person from outside their household or bubble for a coffee or picnic. Please remember to stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household or bubble and stay within your local area.
For further guidance and detail on the Government’s updated four-step route to easing national lockdown restrictions please visit.
Somerset Libraries have announced that almost all libraries have reopened, offering a limited service as lockdown measures start to ease. A new ‘Reading Friends’ befriending service is also being launched for those who may feel lonely or isolated in these continuing times.
Libraries will initially be open in the mornings for people to collect books from the popular ‘Library Choice’ service.
For regular updates on library opening times and services on offer, visit www.somersetlibraries.co.uk or via social media – see Somerset Libraries UK on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Unpaid carers are now being invited to receive their first COVID-19 vaccination, providing they:
- Are eligible for a carer’s allowance
- Are identified as a primary carer by their GP
- Are receiving support following a carer’s assessment
- Are the sole or primary carer who provides close personal care or face to face support for an elderly or disabled person who is clinically vulnerable to COVID-19.
Carers will be contacted in phases, starting with those carers already known to health and social care services. All eligible unpaid carers will be contacted by the NHS when it’s their turn and will be given information about how they book their appointment. Every possible effort will be made to vaccinate eligible carers at the same time as the people they care for, such as when they accompany them for a vaccination.
If you are an unpaid carer and you are unsure if you are eligible, contact your local council or local carers’ organisation and they will advise you if you are able to receive your COVID-19 vaccine. For more information visit.
Please don’t contact the NHS or visit any of their sites to ask about your vaccine, you will be contacted.
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