Somer Valley Safari: Exploring Community Connection in Action

Last week, as part of our role in the Impact Alliance to help make loneliness a stranger, 3SG's David Jenkins joined Karen and Anne from the Impact Alliance for what we dubbed a “Somer Valley Safari”, the first of multiple trips to the area.

The purpose of the day was simple: to get out into the community, visit local spaces, speak to people, and better understand where connection is already thriving - and where there may be opportunities to strengthen it further.

Starting in Peasedown St John

We began at The Meeting Place Café in Peasedown St John. This was David's third or fourth visit, having previously met Paula, Rob and others there. It truly is a heartbeat of the local community, closely associated with the Methodist Church.

Just nearby is The Hive, where Swallow run a thriving café. Even in this small area, you can already see how community spaces layer together to create informal networks of connection and belonging.

Timsbury: Walkers, Coffee Mornings and Community Makers

From there, we drove through Camerton to Timsbury, parking at Conygre Hall. In the car park we struck up a conversation with two walkers who turned out to be community change-makers in their own right - organising walking groups and hosting coffee mornings.

They reflected on how some attendees, particularly those who have been widowed, find these groups invaluable. They provide not just activity, but a safe space to talk and be heard. One observation stood out: men often express themselves most openly right at the end, just as the group is about to disperse.

We also took a look at the activity schedule displayed in the window - a packed timetable of daily events demonstrating just how much is happening locally.

Crossing over to the high street, we noticed The Square café buzzing with activity, alongside a miners’ memorial commemorating those lost in the mines - a poignant reminder of the area’s heritage and identity.

Karen also popped into the local pharmacy to outline the Impact Alliance’s work. Pharmacists shared that they often notice signs of loneliness among customers, or are directly told about it. This sparked an idea: could we partner with the pharmacy and a local café to offer vouchers or similar small interventions for those who might benefit? This is something David will be following up.

Farrington Gurney and Beyond

Our final stop was Farrington Gurney, travelling via Paulton. We parked at Farrington Farm -home to a café, several small businesses, the Wild Plunge, and Midsomer Norton Men’s Shed, which David previously visited.

Again, this felt like a genuine community hub. Conversations between David, Anne and Karen turned to potential pilots and small-scale projects that could be tested here to help address loneliness in practical, community-led ways.

What We’re Learning

All in all, it was a fantastic day exploring different parts of the Somer Valley and delivering on our role as local Enabler for the Impact Alliance.

The Impact Alliance is a growing movement of more than 50 purpose-led organisations across the West of England working together to understand and address loneliness. The Somer Valley is one of six pilot communities, alongside areas in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, as well as two communities often underrepresented in existing data: global majority elders and disabled young people.

This work is about shifting from centralised planning to community-led innovation - listening first, building on what already exists, and co-designing sustainable responses with local people.

For us at 3SG, that means spending time on the ground, connecting dots between organisations, spotting opportunities for partnership, and helping surface the everyday work already happening quietly in communities.

This “Safari” is just the beginning. The conversations, ideas and connections made during the day will continue to shape our collective work in the Somer Valley as we help to make loneliness a stranger.

Future safaris will continue as we explore other areas of the Somer Valley too.

Watch this space.

If you're interested in finding out more about the Impact Alliance pilot project in the Somer Valley, please reach out to David at david@3sg.org.uk or the IA team at hello@impact-alliance.co.uk