WATCH CIO

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

20/01/2026

Our thanks to Somerset Leveller for covering our recent good news courtesy of The National Lottery Community Fund! 🗞️

We will be working closely with ARK at Egwood4515], Chard Community Hub and Open Doors Somerset 🫶

Read more here ⬇️

Somerset charities are celebrating after being granted National Lottery funding.

07/01/2026

We’re moving! Our office is officially relocating this January 2026, so please bear with us during the transition. There are a lot of boxes to carry! 📦

🏠 Once settled, you will find us at:
The Hive (Chard Young People’s Centre)
Essex Close, Chard, TA20 1RH

📞 Our phone number remains the same: 01460 712119

🗓 Please note: The Thursday WATCH Project remains unchanged for now. We’re still meeting at Chard Rugby Football Club (10-4) until further notice.

24/12/2025

WATCH would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone for all your peer support and encouragement throughout the past year (and beyond). We’re truly grateful for everything *you*, our members, volunteers, staff, trustees, and partners have done to keep us moving forward. You’re the reason we're still peer! 😊🎁❄️

Enjoy a well-deserved winter break, and we look forward to reconnecting in the New Year. 🎄✨🎉

(Please note: Our office will reopen on Monday the 5th January 2026 -- but we may be in the process of moving around that time, so please forgive any cardboard boxed delays?! 📆📦)

23/12/2025

Support this festive season

The holidays can be joyful — but they can also feel tough. Our partners Open Mental Health Network have created a Festive Wellbeing Kit with simple, practical support to help you (or someone you care about) through the winter months.

https://openmentalhealth.org.uk/festive-wellbeing-kit/

At WATCH, we’re proud to work alongside OMHN to keep connection and wellbeing at the heart of our communities.

Please share.

For some of us, the holiday season can be painful and overwhelming. Money worries, isolation, the anticipation of spending time with family, or the stress of preparing for all the festivities can be hard on our mental health.

22/12/2025

Mindline will be operating as normal throughout Christmas and the New Year for anyone that might need support.

Just a quick reminder of Mindline Somerset’s opening hours over the holidays — 24/7, available any time, day or night, seven days a week.

📞 Call us on 01823 276 892 or 0800 138 1692

Mental health support is here when you need it 💛

22/12/2025

Our thanks to the Chard and Ilminster Newsovering our story! Have a read below 👇

Chard based mental health charity WATCH CIO has been shortlisted as Charity of the Year for the Somerset Business Awards 2026.