Somerset Parent Carer Forum CIC are delighted to announce a new free Time to Talk service for parent carers in Somerset. We know how isolating being a carer can be and this is being made even harder due to the coronavirus. The service aims to provide a safe space to talk through any concerns you may have or simply to have time to talk to another parent carer.

Time to Talk. A free and confidential support line

Monday 1:00-2:30 and Friday 10:00-11:30 booking not required

Tuesday’s 10:00 -12:30 and Thursday’s 12:00-2:30 booking essential

Text service open 24 hours a day.

Online chat room available Mondays 1:00-2:30, Tuesday’s 10:00-12:30, Thursday’s 12:00-2:30 and Friday’s 10:00-11:30. Please see below.

The service will be manned by a team of Parent Carers with a range of lived experience. They will be able to:

  • Provide a listening ear
  • Signposting to information on a variety of subjects (this can be posted to you upon request)
  • Signposting to services which might be helpful and support in completing any self referral forms
  • Support to look at options available to you and your family

Prebooked slots are available on Tuesday’s 10:00 -12:30 and Thursday’s 12:00-2:30. These can take place by phone, Facebook messenger, email, zoom, Microsoft Teams, goto or Text. We are happy to use whatever platform works best for you.

You can ring on a Monday between 1:00-2:30 and a Friday between 10:00-11:30 without booking a slot. Please ring 01458 259384.

Text message service – We know that these times may not work for everyone so we are also offering a text message service which can be accessed on 07543 680365 24 hours a day. Simply send a text and we will respond as soon as we can. Alternatively you can email us at events@somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk. or message us through Facebook.

We also run an online chat room for parents on Mondays 1:00-2:30, Tuesday’s 10:00-12:30, Thursday’s 12:00-2:30 and Friday’s 10:00-11:30. You can access the chat room here during these times.

We are grateful for the funding we have received to enable us to offer this support for Parent Carers as part of Government’s £750m charities package.The funding is being granted through Pears Foundation to ensure funding gets to frontline organisations and their communities in association with Contact the charity for families with disabled children.