Information & Advice

Age UK Somerset’s Information and Advice Service

We offer a free and confidential information and advice service for older people, their families and carers. We can help with a wide variety of topics such as social care, benefits, etc, but if there’s an area we’re unsure of, we’ll be able to point you in the right direction. We also offer a benefits assessment service and help completing claim forms (although at the moment our Volunteers do not visit clients at home).

If you need advice outside of normal office hours, at the weekend or in the evenings, call Age UK:

Free factsheets available

Age UK produces free information guides and factsheets on a wide range of topics, including home adaptations, dementia, and advice for carers.

View the Factsheets

Recently added information and advice

• Update on Office Re-opening and our Services
  With services opening up slowly across the UK we wanted to keep you updated … Read more
• Phased re-opening of Libraries
  This information has been taken from a Somerset West and Taunton Council update. Phased … Read more
• How to use WhatsApp for Video Calling – new guide from BT with Clare Balding
  BT have produced an illustrated guide to how to use WhatsApp for making video … Read more
• Facemasks – how to wear & make your own
  Full advice on how to wear and to make your own cloth face covering … Read more
• Hear about the services Age UK Somerset is offering
• Article on how to access groceries if you’re vulnerable and ‘shielding’ due to coronavirus
  In this useful article from the MoneySavingExpert website they cover: – Registering as ‘extremely … Read more
• Banks – dedicated phonelines for over 70s
  Several of the major high street banks have contacted Age UK to share the … Read more
• How to use Zoom for video catch-ups
  We may never have heard of it two weeks ago, but now Zoom has … Read more
• How to use Twitter
  Twitter is a very popular social media site where users can follow and connect … Read more
• A guide to Video Calling
  Keeping in touch with family, friends and other loved ones makes us feel connected … Read more
• Step by Step Guide to setting up a Facebook Account
  Facebook and Facebook Messenger are two very popular ways that people connect with each … Read more
• Facebook ‘Guide for Beginners’ Video
• How to use WhatsApp
  Two visual guides from Digital Unite which will help you to use this popular … Read more
• All you need to use Skype
  Skype is a computer program that offers a VoIP (‘Voice over Internet Protocol’) service. … Read more
• How To Get Started with email
  A useful and comprehensive guide from Digital Unite covering everything from how to set … Read more
• Fact check Covid 19 with Full Fact
  Full Fact is an independent fact checking charity who There are lots of misleading … Read more
• Fancy learning to crack cryptic crosswords?
  If you are looking for a distracting/stimulating/frustrating hobby to occupy your time during lock … Read more
• New information being added daily
  If there is something you would like to see here, please get in touch.
• Download the Age UK Coronavirus Information Guide
  What the guide is about These are uncertain times, and coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting … Read more
• Guidance from the Government
  Click here for the Coronavirus Guidance dated 30th March 2020. It covers: advice for … Read more
• Tips for staying active at home from the World Health Organisation
  “Sedentary behaviour and low levels of physical activity can have negative effects on the … Read more
• BBC ‘Fraud’ page
  For information/new on some of the latest scams please visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000gxqv/breakfast-28032020
• BBC Breakfast on scams
  Apparently there are over 200 coronavirus specific scams going around. Please be aware. To … Read more