3 February 2026

Somerset Community Foundation helps bring connection to isolated adults in Chard

Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) has awarded £5,000 to support Watch CIO’s weekly peer-support sessions in Chard. The funding helps adults experiencing loneliness and social isolation build confidence, connect with others, and feel less alone.

Led by lived-experience facilitators and volunteers, Watch CIO’s sessions give participants the chance to form friendships, gain resilience, and access ongoing support within their community.

“Watch CIO provides a lifeline for people who might otherwise go without support,” said Clare Stephen, Programmes Manager at SCF. “Adults in Somerset face the longest waits for mental health treatment in the South West, making safe spaces to talk, share experiences, and connect locally more important than ever.”

The grant comes ahead of Time to Talk Day on 5 February, which highlights the importance of conversation and community in protecting mental wellbeing.

“I know from personal experience how isolating mental health challenges can feel,” said Julie Matthews, founder and CEO of Watch CIO, who was awarded the British Empire Medal for her services to mental health in Somerset. “It’s easy to believe that no one else understands. Through peer support, people quickly realise they’re not alone, and that shared experience helps build confidence, resilience, and hope.”

Support grassroots mental health in Somerset

To help more local people thrive, donate to SCF’s Somerset Wellbeing Fund, which directs gifts to grassroots initiatives across the county.