Get support for family life, caring and everyday costs
If you need support with everyday costs, caring responsibilities, health, wellbeing or family life, help is available. This page brings together local and national services that can help families, carers and older people find advice, financial support and community services.
Family support
Talking Cafés
Visit a Talking Café to speak to a Village Agent for advice, information or a friendly chat.
Talking Cafés can help you access local support and services, including:
- Caring responsibilities
- Housing
- Health
- Money and finances
- Food support
- Adult social care
- Children’s services
- Loneliness and isolation
You can also discuss any other concerns you may have.
You do not need to book.
#Help4All
#Help4All provides support for individuals and families. You can find advice about food, parenting, loneliness and other everyday challenges.
Find support through #Help4All.
Passport to leisure discounts
Passport to Leisure helps people on low incomes access leisure activities at discounted rates. The free card is valid for one year and can be renewed annually. Eligibility depends on where you live and whether you receive qualifying benefits.
Find out about Passport to Leisure.
Help with childcare costs
You may be able to get funding to help pay for childcare. Funding is available for eligible children aged two to four years.
Find out about childcare funding and eligibility.
The government also offers several schemes to help parents with childcare costs. Check the Childcare Choices website to find out what support you may be eligible for and how to apply.
Healthy Start support
If you are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four, you may be able to get help to buy healthy food and milk.
Help with maternity costs
You could claim a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child.
Find out about the Sure Start Maternity Grant.
Family Fund
Family Fund provides grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.
Visit the Family Fund website.
Help with NHS costs
You may be able to get free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and help with other NHS costs.
Mental health and wellbeing
Open Mental Health
If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, support is available day and night. Open Mental Health helps adults across Somerset access advice and support.
Find support through Open Mental Health
Mindline
Mindline is a free confidential listening service. You can speak to someone if you, or someone you know, is experiencing emotional distress.
Phone Mindline on 01823 276 892 or freephone 0800 138 1692.
The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Support for older people
Age UK Somerset
Age UK Somerset supports people aged 60 and over. Services include:
- Benefit entitlement checks
- Help with benefit claims
- Information and advice
- Wellbeing support
- Help to reduce loneliness and isolation
- Support to find local services
Visit the Age UK Somerset website.
Concessionary bus passes
A concessionary bus pass can help reduce travel costs for eligible older people and disabled residents. In Somerset, eligible residents can apply for a free bus pass under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme.
Find out about concessionary bus passes.
Pension Credit
If you have reached State Pension age and have a low income, you may be able to get extra money through Pension Credit. You may still qualify if you have savings or own your home.
Check if you can get Pension Credit on GOV.UK or phone 0800 99 1234.
Surviving Winter Appeal
The Somerset Community Foundation has launched its Surviving Winter Appeal to support older people who are struggling to heat their homes.
Find out about the Surviving Winter Appeal
Winter Fuel Payments
You may be able to get help with heating costs during winter.
Support for Carers
Looking after someone can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging. Somerset Carers offers free information, advice and support for unpaid carers aged 18 and over.
Free Get support from Somerset Carers.
Carer’s allowance
You may be able to get financial support if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week. Eligibility depends on your circumstances and the benefits received by the person you care for.
Disabilities and additional needs
If you have a disability or long-term health condition, you may be entitled to benefits to help with daily living costs, mobility needs or housing costs.
For the latest information, check GOV.UK benefits guidance.
Benefits for autistic adults
Autistic adults may be entitled to a range of benefits depending on their circumstances.
Find out about benefits for autistic adults.
Support for people with learning disabilities
If you have a learning disability, there are organisations that can help you find advice, support and information about managing living costs, benefits and everyday expenses.