As a retired registered nurse, Lynsey was used to being busy and dependable, but after years of caring for her mum, Flo, at home, she recognised that she needed a break. It wasn’t that she needed a holiday, or to ‘get away from it all’ – she just needed to catch her breath.
This realisation prompted Lynsey to research respite breaks for her mum. Having worked in care homes, she had seen the benefits that a short stay could offer – both to the respite guest, and their family carers. Lynsey began looking for a home where Flo could be comfortable, and where she could have confidence in the quality of care.

Can I come back?
After thorough research, Lynsey chose Greenhill House residential and dementia care home in Cheddar for her mum’s respite break: ‘When we visited Greenhill House, prior to my mum going in for respite care for a week, I was impressed by the friendly staff, pleasant surrounding and relaxed atmosphere. I had researched many homes and it was important to find the right one, as this was the first time she had gone into a home as a resident.
‘The food is excellent, plentiful and varied, with a snack bar available, so the residents can help themselves if they get hungry throughout the day. The activities are also varied, led by helpful and enthusiastic team leaders.
‘As a retired registered nurse, I have worked in many homes – and I would rate this as one of the best. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Greenhill House again or recommend to others.’
While Lynsey took a well-earned break from being her carer, Flo enjoyed the change of scene that her respite break provided – so much so, that she asked when she could return!
Flo now visits Greenhill House three times a week for day care, and loves joining her new friends for activities and mealtimes.
With care no longer all-consuming, Lynsey and Flo have had space to reconnect – to be mother and daughter again.

Strength in seeking support
It’s not always easy to admit when you need help – especially with something that feels like your duty, like caring for a loved one. But caring is a skilled profession which requires specialist training: it’s not something we’re automatically prepared for. And when strong emotions are involved, the weight of responsibility can feel even heavier.
No matter how much you might want to, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
A respite break provides a chance to rest, recharge and reset, safe in the knowledge that your loved one is being well cared for.
Somerset Care’s day care and respite services support you and your loved ones to live independently at home, for as long as possible. For information and advice, please visit somersetcare.co.uk, or contact our expert enquiries team on 0800 817 4925.

A family’s decision to cut their carbon footprint has seen their home leap from an EPC Band D to Band A – and they credit local community lender Lendology for making it possible.
Mike and his family wanted to install solar panels, but the upfront costs were a stretch too far. A home energy loan from Lendology CIC – a not-for-profit community lender that works in partnership with local councils – helped them bridge the gap: ‘They couldn’t have been more helpful,’ said Mike. ‘Without their support, I don’t think we could have done it.’
The new system generates enough electricity to meet the family’s needs and will support a heat pump installation too.

Lendology’s people-first approach is proving vital as energy bills rise and rural homes face retrofit challenges.
Last year, the organisation delivered more than £3.6 million in affordable loans to more than 400 homeowners across the South West – half of those were for renewable and energy efficiency improvements.
Now working with 20 local authorities, Lendology is part of a wider community finance partnership alongside SWIG Finance and Great Western Credit Union. Together, they’ve delivered £30 million in impact-led funding across the region, supporting households and small businesses often overlooked by mainstream lenders.
For homeowners looking to future-proof their properties or fund essential improvements, Lendology offers a fair, accessible alternative – one that is helping Dorset households build warmer, greener, more resilient homes.
To check eligibility or find out more, visit lendology.org.uk.

Sponsored by Wessex Internet

Q: My neighbour told me that the way we pay council tax is changing but I can’t see anything about that in my recent council tax bill. Can you explain?

A: The government is currently consulting on the administration of council tax including:
Changing the ways council tax is billed, collected and enforced
modernising the support available in the system
supporting councils to improve efficiency
The government says that it is aiming to create a fairer and more efficient system for taxpayers and local authorities.
One of the proposals is to change council tax billing from 10-months to 12-months. Another is to amend how council tax is collected – including giving households more time before councils can demand full payment, and placing a cap on the fees when councils seek liability orders for unpaid tax.
Other issues which are up for consultation include:
modernising council tax disregards, to ensure they continue to support those they were intended to
improving efficiency in billing for councils.
exploring whether there is anything the government can do to remove barriers to effectively challenging bandings
Tom MacInnes, Director of Policy at Citizens Advice, said:
‘Spreading council tax payments over 12 months rather than 10 is a good start – it will help people to budget more effectively, especially those on lower incomes.
‘We also welcome the government’s review of how council tax is collected – something Citizens Advice has been campaigning for.
‘Council tax is our second biggest debt query area, narrowly behind energy arrears. A quarter of clients with council tax arrears need advice about dealing with bailiffs, which can be a terrifying experience. Current rules mean small debts quickly spiral out of control – worsening hardship rather than providing the support people need to get back on their feet.’
You can read the full consultation document online at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/modernising-and-improving-the-administration-of-council-tax and, if you want to respond, you can do so either online or by emailing [email protected] or by writing to:
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Local Tax Team,
Local Government Finance
SE Quarter – 2nd Floor
Fry Building
2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF
The consultation closes on 12th September 2025.

Sponsored by Wessex Internet