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Helping those
in need of support

Based in the Blackdown Hills | Charity No: 1013514

Based in the Blackdown Hills
Charity No: 1013514

Introduction
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Welcome

The Blackdown Support Group is a community self-help scheme extending the voluntary ethos.

Our vision is that people living in the Blackdown Hills are connected to their communities and have a strong sense of wellbeing. We want them to be aware of and able to access the services they need to support their health and independence.

When access to activities and services is improved, health, wellbeing and feelings of connection and confidence are improved. The Blackdown Support Group enables people to get around more easily, to meet and make friends and when they face life challenges, to feel that they are not alone.

Volunteering In Your Community

Volunteer Driving

Our volunteer drivers transport people to social opportunities or medical appointments, expenses are reimbursed and our clients hugely value being able to get out and about independently in such a rural area where public transport is so limited. There’s always a good story to hear in the car on the way.

Volunteer Visiting

Our volunteer visitors provide much needed social contact for people who are housebound and lonely. They can also offer a break to family carers. If you like to talk, to listen and might enjoy sharing a cup of tea with someone in your local area this could be for you.

Group Volunteering

Our group volunteers work together as part of a team to run our social groups in the local area, this might be preparing for a coffee morning, running a raffle or cooking and serving lunch to our clients who appreciate the banter and the social contact as well as the delicious food.

Other Opportunities

A range of other services to improve quality of life and support independence for local people, including delivery of prescriptions or shopping, courier services for the Blackdown GP Practice, footcare, form-filling and one-to-one support for those experiencing difficulties of various kinds.

See all our services

Our History

The Blackdown Support Group is a local charity, established here in the Blackdown Hills in 1991.

Our Founders vision was to set up a voluntary group linked to the local GP Practice which could provide social and practical support to the communities of the Blackdown Hills.

This includes, improving the health and happiness of local people, supporting them to connect with others, and reducing pressure on local Primary Care and Social Care services.

Read our story
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Years Of Support Provided
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People Helped Every Month
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Volunteers
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Sq. Miles Covered

How can I help?

Give a Little Bit

As a Registered Charity (number 1013514) we rely on grant funding and donations to continue our work providing much needed support to those in need in the Blackdown Hills. We are hugely grateful to our “Friends” who support us by way of an annual subscription and to many other supporters who generously give their time in fundraising efforts, remember us in a legacy or make a donation in memory of a loved one. We could not continue without this support.

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With A Little Help From My Friends

Our volunteers are the lifeblood of the BSG – without them, we simply could not operate. Volunteering with us is extremely rewarding, it allows you to give back to your community whilst working with likeminded people, gaining new skills and making friends along the way.

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