WATCH CIO

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.

20/02/2026

Members of WATCH recently took part in a fantastic ‘Shoot a Film in a Day’ workshop at Gillingham Grange Care Home in Chard – and this is the beautiful film they created!

From scripting and storyboarding to working with Nikon cameras, boom mics and lighting, our members gained hands-on experience while building confidence, teamwork and new skills.

A huge thank you to Somerset Film, Amanda Whyte and the team at Gillingham Grange, Gabrielle Chambers for her brilliant interviewing, and the talented tutors who made the day so inspiring.

At WATCH, we believe in the power of lived experience and creative connection. Opportunities like this help reduce isolation, build resilience and remind us all that the light is already within.

Members of Chard Watch took part in our 'Shoot a Film in a Day' workshop at Gillingham Grange Care Home in Chard. This is the lovely film they made! Somers...

19/02/2026

WATCH CIO is looking for an experienced and passionate Project Manager to lead our National Lottery funded Bridges to Wellbeing programme across South Somerset.

This role is central to strengthening partnerships, reducing isolation, and empowering adults to build resilience:
- Full time (37.5 hrs)
- Chard & Crewkerne
- Closing date: Wednesday 4th March, 2pm

If you believe in the power of peer support and community connection, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply please email: leoniegirling@watchproject.org.uk

14/02/2026

We’re proud to share that our latest print materials have been supported through the GivingPrint scheme by GivingPrint

Thanks to their generosity, we’ve been able to print 2,000 tri-fold leaflets helping us spread the word about WATCH CIO and our mission to empower adults across Somerset to reduce isolation, build resilience and thrive.
Partnerships like this strengthen grassroots organisations like ours — ensuring more people can discover their Potential, Voice and Way.

Thank you for supporting community connection 💙

Find out more about GivingPrint here: https://www.givingprint.org/

02/02/2026

The promised update: Music For Connection has a new home! 😊

We’re excited to announce that music therapist Polly Orr-Ewing and WATCH are now based at Gillingham Grange Care Home on Furnham Road in Chard (TA20 1BE) every *second* and *fourth* Wednesday of the month. 📅

Please let your calendars know we'll be tapping our feet to the beat then. 🥾🎶

27/01/2026

Music For Connection is back tomorrow (Wednesday the 28th January 2026) in a brand-new location! 😊

We’re delighted to share that Polly Orr-Ewing and WATCH will now be at Gillingham Grange Care Home, Furnham Road, Chard (TA20 1BE), where refreshments are kindly provided. We look forward to seeing and hearing you there! 🎸🥁🎶

(Further details and upcoming dates will be announced soon. 📆)

22/01/2026