Somerset's Big Conversation 2025

Somerset’s Big Conversation is a county-wide engagement roadshow led by NHS Somerset to hear directly from local people in their communities about their experiences with health and care services. Through a series of in-person events, including markets, festivals and other local events, we’re inviting everyone to share their views and help shape the future of care in Somerset.  We will also be raising awareness about the work of NHS Somerset and bringing key campaigns such as Smokefree Somerset and Hypertension, into communities across the county. In addition, we’ll gather feedback through an online survey, giving event attendees a chance to share more thoughts and ensuring those who can’t meet us in person still have their voices heard.

The roadshow is organised by the Communications, Engagement & Marketing Team at NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB). The ICB is responsible for planning and coordinating health and care services across Somerset. We are working collaboratively with partners from our Integrated Care System (ICS), known as Our Somerset, across health, social care, and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector to ensure we hear from as many people as possible.

Somerset’s health and care system is under increasing pressure, and we know we need to do things differently. The Government will publish its 10 Year Health Plan this summer and the roadshow is an excellent opportunity to build on the feedback we heard as part of our engagement earlier this year and to listen, learn, and understand what matters most to people when it comes to their health and wellbeing. Your input will help us design better, more joined-up, high quality and cost-effective services that work for everyone.

Anyone who lives, works, or receives health and care services in Somerset is welcome to take part and share their experience, views and ideas. We particularly want to hear from people who may not usually engage with health and care organisations, including young people, carers, and those with lived experience of complex health needs.

Each roadshow event is an open, informal opportunity to:

• Talk with NHS Somerset staff and representatives from our health and care partners
• Share your experiences of health and care
• Learn about local services and upcoming plans
• Find out more about current health campaigns
• Share your views and ideas about the future of Somerset’s healthcare services

You don’t need an appointment - just come along and have your say.

The roadshow will be visiting towns and communities across Somerset between May and September. A full list of event dates, times, and locations is available on this webpage. Many events are free to attend but some have admission fees. To find out more information about where we will be, please check Somerset's Big Conversation 2025 - NHS Somerset ICB

You can also keep an eye on our NHS Somerset social media channels.

If you are unable to join us at a roadshow event, you can still take part by:

• Completing our online survey 
• Sending feedback by email or post to the NHS Somerset Engagement Team, Wynford House, Lufton Way, Lufton, Yeovil, BA22 8HR

All the feedback we hear will be reviewed, analysed, and used to inform how NHS Somerset and Our Somerset partners plan and deliver health and care services in the future. We will produce reports to share with our Board, colleagues, patients and the public to share what we have heard and out next steps.  We will highlight how public feedback has been used to improve services, as we are committed to the principle of collaboration with the people of Somerset and showing the “You Said, We Did” approach.

Yes. All feedback will be kept confidential and reported anonymously. We comply fully with data protection laws and our privacy policy is available on this website: Privacy Policy - NHS Somerset ICB . We would like to highlight particular experiences through our social media channels, webpage and in our reports, so we would like to find people who are willing to be case studies.  If you are happy to be a case study and for us to use your experience and other details, we will request you complete a consent form

If you have questions about the roadshow or survey, please contact the NHS Somerset Engagement Team by emailing 📧 somicb.engagement@nhs.net

For useful communications resources to promote the roadshow please go to Somerset's Big Conversation Communications Resources