WATCH CIO

15/04/2026

Still some time before the closing date!
We are recruiting for a Peer Engagement Lead to work with us as part of our contract with Open Mental Health. If you are great with people, have peer support experience and love variety we would love to hear from you! For more details and an application form, contact Leonie at leoniegirling@watchproject.org.uk. Closing date Tuesday 21st April.

13/04/2026

We still have a few spaces left on our FREE online Self-Discovery course starting Tuesday 21st April. The course focusses on wellbeing, resilience and self-awareness. You can meet with others with similar experiences and make friendships along the way. Please get in touch to book your place!

03/04/2026

Easter is just around the corner, and while some local services will be taking a break over the bank holiday, we want you to know that Open Mental Health is still here for everyone in Somerset. They operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, because mental health doesn't take a holiday. 💛

If things feel a bit much, you don’t have to face it by yourself. They have put together a Wellbeing Kit packed with resources to help you stay grounded and manage your mental health throughout the year. You can find it at: openmentalhealth.org.uk/stay-well-in-2026.

31/03/2026

We are recruiting for a Peer Engagement Lead to work with us as part of our contract with Open Mental Health. If you are great with people, have peer support experience and love variety we would love to hear from you! For more details and an application form, contact Leonie at leoniegirling@watchproject.org.uk. Closing date Tuesday 21st April.

29/03/2026

Help us get Chard moving again

At WATCH, we see every day how important connection, community, and access are for people’s mental health. But right now, transport is one of the biggest barriers for many of our members.

We’re raising funds for a minibus so more people can attend sessions, feel included, and stay connected.

This isn’t just about getting from A to B.

It’s about:
- Reducing isolation
- Building community
- Supporting mental wellbeing

Every donation, no matter the size, helps us get one step closer.

Donate here:

🚎 Help us raise £30,000 for a minibus!At Watch CIO, we will be purchasing a minibus for the community to improve access to activities and events. We have secured £14,000 and aim to raise a total of £30,000 towards the cost of maintenance and insurance and ensuring we have an accessible vehicle...

27/03/2026

Yesterday, we were visited by Ian Bolton from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, who shared valuable information about the free home safety visits available to help reduce fire risks.

Key advice included:
Installing and regularly checking working smoke alarms, never leaving cooking unattended, creating a clear escape plan and carrying out bedtime safety checks. They also offer specialist support for vulnerable residents, including those with mobility or hearing difficulties.

We have been given a unique referral number, so if any members would like to arrange a visit, please let us know.

25/03/2026

Do you like connecting with others and being involved in your local community? We are looking for volunteers for a range of opportunities from supporting outdoor activities to helping at our weekly Thursday Project to attending local events.
We bring people together to connect with others and find that people thrive when they maintain their own wellbeing and build resilience. Supporting that is is what we are about .
Our volunteering roles offer flexibility and variety.
If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, please get in touch to find out more.
info@watchproject.org.uk or message us.

24/03/2026

Every Tuesday, Watch CIO hosts our online forum ‘Pathways’ — a welcoming space for people to come together, share how their week has been, talk about what’s coming up, and support one another through shared experiences and advice.

In a typical session, we check in with each other, offer tips, and create a supportive peer community, we also have regular online workshops and advice sessions.

This week was especially uplifting 🌱 Members shared some beautiful nature photos, capturing the early signs of spring emerging around us. We were also joined by Atha from the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), who delivered an incredibly informative session. They covered practical ways to save money and energy, including:

• Loft insulation
• Dehumidifiers
• Priority Services Register
• Draught excluders
• Economy 7 tariffs for night storage heaters
…and much more!

We’re very grateful for their time and hope to welcome them back again soon.
If you’d like to join our weekly ‘Pathways’ sessions, we meet every Tuesday from 10am–12 noon on Zoom.
📞 Get in touch: 07926048687

The CSE is such a amazing service and offers free, trustworthy advice, for more information please click the link below-

🔗 Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/share/19bqDMcCgb/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Everyone is welcome — we’d love to have you join us

We're an independent national charity helping people change the way they think and act about energy.

23/03/2026

Watch CIO attended the ‘Chard Together’ event last weekend, celebrating the town’s diverse communities. The event was very well attended and featured a great variety of entertainment, food, and representation from local community groups.

Member Matt Hawkes delivered pyrography demonstrations, which attracted significant interest from attendees. He will be continuing to run workshops as part of our Thursday project in the future.

20/03/2026

We were so pleased to welcome Jo back yesterday for two fantastic pottery workshops!

Our staff kicked things off bright and early with a hands-on session — such a relaxing and creative way to start the day. Members then returned to glaze their dried pieces before they head back into the kiln. We can’t wait to see the finished works of art!

A truly lovely day.

13/03/2026

Yesterday we were very fortunate to welcome tutors Nikki Kitch and Tina Hazelhurst from the charity Navigate, who delivered an engaging workshop all about brands and logos, extra gifts, delivery charges, and the psychology of colour — and how these can encourage us to buy things.

The session helped us think more carefully about online shopping and reminded us that what looks like a great deal isn’t always what it seems!

With these useful tips and practical tools, we’re becoming more confident and savvy when it comes to managing our money and making informed choices. 💡💰



https://www.facebook.com/share/1FqTzYex6c/?mibextid=wwXIfr

11/03/2026

We’ve launched our new Health & Wellbeing Survey and we want to hear from as many residents as possible.

The survey gives people the chance to share what matters most to them, from mental health and physical activity to smoking, alcohol, oral health and more. It’s completely anonymous and only takes a few minutes to complete.

Your insight helps us shape future services and better support our communities.

Take the survey by clicking the link in the comments below.