Formerly known as Taunton Association for the Homeless, ARC have 16 properties, housing 176 people.

Lindley House in Taunton is our hostel with 40 rooms. The hostel is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides 3 meals per day for clients staying there. This tends to be where clients start their journey with Arc whilst we assess their support needs and work with them in their transition to more independent living.

As well as providing accommodation Arc aims to ensure no-one has to spend more than one night homeless, providing an Outreach Team working hard to support rough sleepers, getting them into accommodation as quickly as possible.

Access location dependent on referral.

Not open to those with arson convictions or schedule 1 sex offenders.

Local residents only.

ARC Inspire website

The Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders while supporting those who have borrowed money from a loan shark.

Our teams are comprised of specialist investigators and Liaise Officers who have previously worked for the police, trading standards, and debt advice services. Together the investigators and Liaise Officers work to prosecute illegal money lenders while supporting people who owe money to a loan shark

Those who have borrowed money from a loan Shark, or who wish to report a known Loan Shark.

Stop Loan Sharks website

The problems that IAPT services can treat include:

Depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic and agoraphobia, other phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), body dysmorphic disorder.

A GP can refer you, or you can refer yourself directly without a referral.

Access location dependant on referral.

Find an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT)

You need to be registered with a GP.

Crisis Safe Space is an out-of-hours service provided by Open Mental Health partners Mind in Somerset and Second Step 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 arrange a one-to-one session with a member of the Crisis Safe Space, who will be willing to listen and be able to help you. Sessions are being held either face-to-face or virtually depending on the location.

Crisis Safe Space appointments can be booked through Mindline Somerset locally on:

01823 276 892 or freephone 0800 138 1692.

Available at Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater, Glastonbury and Frome. Remote sessions also available

Anyone who feels like they are really struggling with their mental health.

Both self-referral and healthcare referrals available through the website

Crisis Safe Space website

Support, information and signposting for Mental Health issues.

Helpline and webchat are open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year, offering practical suggestions for all of life’s problems – whether that’s anxiety, relationship concerns, health worries, money worries or suicidal thoughts.

Visit the following website for information on access and referrals.

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

Open to all

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

Behavioural and wellbeing Programme open to men aged 18-30 who have been to prison or are at risk of Prison.

The programme includes one-to-one support, group work and mentorship.

This is an outreach service.

Probation CRS, which is also open to referrals.

Key 4 Life website

Open Mental Health partner Mind in Somerset provide mental health support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So you can get the help you need when you need it.

Mindline is a confidential listening service which provides a safe place to talk if you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health difficulties.

As well as listening Mindline Somerset can provide information about:

• Local services
• How to get help
• Basic information on mental health issues

Call any time of the day locally on 01823 276892

or freephone 0800 138 1692

Email support@openmentalhealth.org.uk
Visit Mindline Somerset

For people who:

• Need someone to talk to
• Want to get things off their chest
• Anyone feeling isolated or alone
• Anyone feeling worthless or struggling with their self esteem
• People who want a friendly ear to talk about their day

<a href=”https://openmentalhealth.org.uk/mindline-somerset/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Mindline Somerset website</a>

Home Start will visit the parent in their own home, usually once a week.

The parent decides what they will do together.

• Social isolation
• Coping with a child with health issues
• Bereavement support
• Emotional demands of being a parent
• Coping with disabilities
• Relationship problems
• Practical help with budgeting, healthy cooking, routines in the home
• Support with children starting school

This is an outreach service.

Must have at least one child under 7 years old.

Must live within West Somerset: “Minehead, Dunster, Porlock, Dulverton and Watchet right through to Stogursey and everywhere in between.”

Homestart West Somerset website

PACT (Prison Advice and Care Trust) runs the national Prisoners’ Families Helpline, a free and confidential service which offers practical and emotional support, information and advice to anyone who is affected by imprisonment, in a straightforward, non-judgemental way.

Telephone helpline

Monday to Friday: 9am – 8pm

Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 3pm.

Anyone who is affected by imprisonment.

Somerset Financial Well-being Project is an initiative funded by Somerset Council. We are offering free financial well-being information, free community events and free training to anyone who lives or works in Somerset.

This information aims to help anyone who is facing anxiety and stress caused by money worries or who is concerned about their financial future by signposting them to Free, expert help and support.

Visit the following website for information on access and referrals.

Somerset Financial Well-being Project

Anyone who lives or works in Somerset.

Somerset Financial Well-being Project website

Free, flexible debt advice that is based on a comprehensive assessment of an inidiviual’s situation. Providing practical help and support for however long it’s needed.

Online portal

For those with problem debt.

Step Change website

In home, face-to-face debt advice, with ongoing support available by telephone, and money management courses.

Access location dependant on referral.

For those with problem debt.

Christians Against Poverty UK

Alternative to pay-day loans, other high interest lenders: Affordable loans to members from £100 – £15,000 with competitive rates (which are dependent on circumstances) and ethical lending.

Top-up loans for existing members if 50% of the original loan has already been paid.

Managed Accounts are available for those who struggle to budget.

Requires:

• ID
• Some form of income
• Permanent address
• Smart phone
• Internet access

West Country website

Contraceptive and Sexual Health Service, offering free support and advice on STIs and HIV, Contraception, Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, and LGBTQ+ concerns.

The Outreach Team hold weekly drop-in sessions across Somerset at locations managed by Probation, SDAS, YMCA, ARC and Nelson Trust venues. They also work alongside the Homeless and Rough Sleeper Nursing Service.

Outreach Services: Full STI Screening, Vaccinations to certain groups. Treatment of certain sexually transmitted infections, Contraceptive advice, Start on any method except coil

Clinic Services: Full screening, Treatments, Vaccinations, All method of contraception, Psychosexual counselling.

Access location dependant on referral.

Available for all.

Swish Services website

Affordable loans to members from £100 – £15,000 with competitive rates (which are dependent on circumstances) and ethical lending.

Alternative to pay-day loans, other high interest lenders.

Top-up loans for existing members if 50% of the original loan has already been paid.

Requires:

• ID
• Some form of income
• Permanent address
• Smart phone
• Internet access

West Country website

Children Heard And Seen is a charity that supports children and families impacted by parental imprisonment.

They provide targeted support for children and young people. This can be delivered in person to families in Oxfordshire and online via Zoom to families in other parts of England.

Will only accept referrals from families themselves.

Access location dependant on referral.

Children and families impacted by parental imprisonment.

Children Heard and Seen website

Practical care, advice, support and financial assistance to those who have served in the armed forces, and their families.

The service can be accessed by an outreach support service to anyone who has served for over 7 days in the armed forces or who has a family member who has.

Visit the following website for information on access and referrals.

Who are we – Royal British Legion

Those who have previously served, who have received one day of pay and were aged 16 or over at the time of service

Royal British Legion website

Multi-purpose facility for the whole community.

Offers a postal address and showers. Drop-in services for a meal on a Wednesday and Soup and music on a Friday, amongst other services.

The Outreach Team can help anyone who lives in Mendip and is experiencing one or more of the following:

• Homelessness, Unemployment
• Struggling with life-controlling issues (e.g. addiction or self-harm)
• Mental health
• Relationship problems
• Social isolation
• Learning difficulties
• Destructive behaviour

Visit the following website for information on access and referrals.

Connect Centre

For those in the Mendip area.

Connect Centre website

Doors open at 9:30 for rough sleepers who can have hot showers, breakfast and clothes washed and dried.

Clients are also able to access a donated clothing store. In the mornings there is an Outreach Team who offer practical advice and support about housing, addictions and health. Following on from this is our tailored support packages which offer practical advice and guidance in the short and longer term.

In addition to this daily support there are volunteers who provide a reading group, a make and mend group and people who are there to read the paper and have a chat with.

Visit the following website for information on access and referrals.

Taunton Open Door

For those based in Taunton who are living in temporary accommodation, or are homeless or rough sleeping.

Taunton Open Door website

Support: 4 support teams are available to assist applicants to use the Homefinder website.

• Housing Options Team East (Mendip)
• Housing Options Team North (Sedgemoor)
• Housing Options Team West (Somerset West & Taunton)
• Housing Options Team South (South Somerset)

Visit the following website for information on access and referrals.

Homefinder Somerset contact us

Applicants must either:

• Are not subject to immigration control
• Have been living in Somerset for the last 2 years
• Previously lived in Somerset for 3 of the last 5 years
• Have a local connection to Somerset, for example because they work in Somerset or have immediate family who have lived in Somerset for more than 5 years.

Note: Due to high demand and limited resources applicants will often need to wait for 2 – 3 weeks for an appointment

Homefinder Somerset website