The Community Sofa

Right at Home Salisbury & Andover
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Welcome to The Community Sofa, the podcast bringing together the people, organisations and stories that make our community stronger. Hosted by Courtney Hillman and Debs Sheldon from Right at Home Salisbury & Andover, each episode features relaxed conversations with local charities, healthcare professionals, community groups and experts, helping people discover the support available across Salisbury, Andover and the surrounding villages. Because every great community starts with a conversation.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Home Security & Online Scam Support in Wiltshire: Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust | Ep. 8

    Have you seen the Wiltshire Bobby Van on the road and wondered what it does? Courtney and Debs welcome Susanna and Rachel from the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust to The Community Sofa. They explain how the charity helps eligible people feel safer in their homes and more confident online, through home security visits, scam prevention advice, one-to-one support and community talks. We discuss: • What happens during a home security visit • Who may be eligible and how to enquire • Why an unexpected call or message deserves a pause • How scammers impersonate trusted organisations and even family members • Practical ways to check a request for money or personal information • Why people affected by romance fraud deserve support without judgement • How volunteers and fundraising help keep the service running The Trust's standard home security and Stay Safe Online services are free to eligible people. Some optional equipment or installations may involve a charge; ask the team for current details. Find the Trust and enquire about support: https://www.wiltshirebobbyvan.org.uk/Home security or general enquiries: 01225 256867 | BobbyVan@wbvt.org Stay Safe Online enquiries and group talks: BobbyVanOnlineSafety@wbvt.org The Community Sofa is hosted by Courtney Hillman and Debs Sheldon from Right at Home Salisbury & Andover. We share local conversations that help people and families discover useful community support. If you are in immediate danger or a crime is happening now, call 999. For a suspected scam, stop engaging and contact the organisation through a number or website you find independently.

  2. Oct 30

    The Woman Behind the Mayoral Chain: Jenny Bolwell's Story | Ep. 7

    This week on The Community Sofa, we have the absolute pleasure of welcoming the Right Worshipful Mayor of Salisbury, Councillor Jenny Bolwell, for a conversation full of honesty, humour, resilience and community spirit.Jenny shares her remarkable journey from volunteering and supporting local residents to unexpectedly finding herself wearing the mayoral chain.But behind the title is someone who has experienced some of life's toughest challenges and has never forgotten where she came from.We talk about the realities of homelessness, the stigma surrounding food banks, the incredible volunteers who keep our communities going and why Jenny is so passionate about making Salisbury a better place for everyone.And, of course, there's plenty of laughter along the way! From taking the bus wearing her mayoral chain to an unforgettable moment at Salisbury Playhouse, Jenny proves that being Mayor doesn't mean losing your sense of humour.Above all, Jenny reminds us that no matter how difficult life becomes, there is always hope and there are people willing to help.An inspiring, refreshingly honest and wonderfully down to earth conversation with the woman behind the mayoral chain.🎙️ The Community Sofa is brought to you by Right at Home Salisbury & Andover, sharing the stories, people and organisations making a difference in our community.Listen, share and join the conversation.

  3. Oct 30

    The Woman Behind the Mayoral Chain: Jenny Bolwell's Story | Ep. 7

    This week on The Community Sofa, we have the absolute pleasure of welcoming the Right Worshipful Mayor of Salisbury, Councillor Jenny Bolwell, for a conversation full of honesty, humour, resilience and community spirit.Jenny shares her remarkable journey from volunteering and supporting local residents to unexpectedly finding herself wearing the mayoral chain.But behind the title is someone who has experienced some of life's toughest challenges and has never forgotten where she came from.We talk about the realities of homelessness, the stigma surrounding food banks, the incredible volunteers who keep our communities going and why Jenny is so passionate about making Salisbury a better place for everyone.And, of course, there's plenty of laughter along the way! From taking the bus wearing her mayoral chain to an unforgettable moment at Salisbury Playhouse, Jenny proves that being Mayor doesn't mean losing your sense of humour.Above all, Jenny reminds us that no matter how difficult life becomes, there is always hope and there are people willing to help.An inspiring, refreshingly honest and wonderfully down to earth conversation with the woman behind the mayoral chain.🎙️ The Community Sofa is brought to you by Right at Home Salisbury & Andover, sharing the stories, people and organisations making a difference in our community.Listen, share and join the conversation.

  4. Oct 16

    Dental Care at Home in Salisbury: Dental Care 2 U | Ep. 6

    What happens when someone needs dental care but cannot easily get to a practice?Courtney and Debs welcome Jessica Davies, owner and clinical lead of Salisbury-based Dental Care 2 U, to The Community Sofa. Jess is a dental hygienist and therapist who brings routine dental appointments to people in their own homes and other familiar settings.Jess explains what a dental therapist does, how portable equipment makes mobile visits possible, and why seeing a person in their own surroundings can help her understand their everyday oral care. We also discuss dental anxiety, supporting people with limited mobility, and the practical oral care workshops Jess offers carers.In this episode:• What a dental therapist can do• How a mobile dental appointment works• Routine care, including check-ups, hygiene care and fillings• Why home visits can suit some patients and families• Helping carers feel more confident with oral care• Listening to patients and adapting care to their needsFind out more or enquire about an appointment: https://www.dentalcare2u.co.uk/The Community Sofa is hosted by Courtney Hillman and Debs Sheldon from Right at Home Salisbury & Andover. We speak with local people and organisations about support that helps our community live well.

  5. Oct 2

    Safer and Supportive Salisbury: Safe Places, Men Matters & Community Support | Ep. 5

    What is a Safe Place, and how can a city make it easier for people to find support? Courtney and Debs welcome Liz Batten from Safer and Supportive Salisbury to The Community Sofa. Liz explains how the city’s Safe Places work and shares the wider story of the people and organisations connecting support across Salisbury. In this conversation, we explore: What to expect when you ask for help at a Safe Place• How the Safe Places app helps people find a participating venueWhy local groups work better when they share knowledge and contactsMen Matters and opportunities to talk about men’s wellbeingDementia and mental health networksHow a lockdown newsletter grew into a community information resource Whether you live in Salisbury, work here or are visiting, we hope this conversation helps you discover some of the support and community spirit around you. Find out more about Safer and Supportive Salisbury and sign up to their newsletter: https://safersalisbury.org.uk/ The Community Sofa is brought to you by Right at Home Salisbury & Andover. We share conversations with the people and organisations helping our local community live well. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.

  6. Sep 25

    More Than Prescriptions: How Sarum Pharmacy Is Supporting the Community | Ep. 4

    In Episode 4 of The Community Sofa, Courtney and Debs are joined by Rachel from Sarum Pharmacy for an insightful and wonderfully warm conversation about the vital role community pharmacies play in supporting local people. With 40 years of experience in pharmacy, Rachel shares how she began her career at just 17 and explains what goes on behind the scenes to ensure every prescription is dispensed safely and accurately. We discover how Sarum Pharmacy’s online service combines convenience with a genuinely personal approach, offering telephone support, video consultations, free local prescription delivery and friendly drivers who may sometimes be the only person a customer speaks to that week. In this episode, we discuss: 💙 How an online pharmacy works💙 The Pharmacy First service and video consultations💙 Supporting older people and local nursing homes💙 Pharmacy-filled dosette boxes and medication safety💙 Free prescription delivery across the local area💙 Safe-place and evening delivery options💙 The checks completed before medication reaches you💙 The training and regulation behind pharmacy services💙 Why human contact still matters💙 Exciting new services planned for Sarum Pharmacy Rachel’s passion for her work shines throughout the conversation and reminds us that a great pharmacy provides far more than medication. It offers reassurance, accessibility, safety and a trusted human connection. And, of course, Courtney and Debs also secure their very first Community Sofa exclusive! The Community Sofa — bringing our community together, one conversation at a time. Please note: This episode is for general information only. For advice about medication, symptoms or individual health concerns, speak to a pharmacist, GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.

  7. Sep 11

    Don’t Leave It Too Late: Wills, Power of Attorney & Protecting Your Future with Rebecca | Ep. 3

    What would happen if you suddenly couldn't make decisions for yourself? Would your family know what you wanted – and would they actually have the legal authority to act on your behalf?In Episode 3 of The Community Sofa, Courtney and Debs are joined by estate planner Rebecca for an eye-opening conversation about the things many of us know we should sort out… but often keep putting off.Rebecca takes us through Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, trusts and estate planning, explaining what they actually mean, how they work and why planning ahead isn't something that should only be considered later in life.One of the biggest lessons from our conversation? Don't wait for a crisis before thinking about the future.Putting the right plans in place can provide peace of mind for you and make an incredibly difficult time much easier for the people you love.Courtney and Debs certainly came away having learnt a lot – and we think you will too!The Community Sofa – bringing our community together, one conversation at a time.Contact Rebecca:01722516991rebecca@will-wise.co.ukwww.will-wise.co.uk

  8. Aug 28

    More Than a Massage: Caring for the Mind, Body & Person with Emma from Equilibria | Ep. 2

    More Than a Massage: Caring for the Mind, Body & Person with Emma from Equilibria | The Community Sofa Ep. 2In Episode 2 of The Community Sofa, Courtney and Debs are joined by Emma from Equilibria for a fascinating conversation about massage, mental wellbeing, self-care and what it really means to support the whole person.Emma's journey into specialist massage therapy was shaped by her own family's experiences of cancer, motor neurone disease and hospice care. Today, she works with people living with cancer, complex medical conditions and neurodegenerative conditions including Parkinson's, MS and MND, adapting her approach around the individual rather than expecting the individual to adapt to the treatment.We discuss why massage can be so much more than relaxation, the relationship between our physical and mental wellbeing, the importance of listening, positive coping strategies and why carers must remember to look after themselves too.Emma also challenges some common misconceptions about massage!Most importantly, you can't pour from an empty cup! If you enjoy the conversation, please like, subscribe and share it with someone who might benefit.The Community Sofa – bringing our community together, one conversation at a time.How to contact Emma:Website: https://equilibriamassage.co.uk/contact/Phone: 07751 072 141email: emma@equilibriamassage.co.uk

  9. Aug 14

    Who Cares for the Carers? Supporting Unpaid Carers with Helen Dowse | The Community Sofa Ep. 1

    Did you know there are thousands of unpaid carers across Wiltshire looking after loved ones every single day?In the very first episode of The Community Sofa, we're joined by Helen Dowse, Carers Champion, for an insightful conversation about the challenges unpaid carers face, the support available, and why it's so important that carers look after themselves too.Whether you're caring for a partner, parent, family member, friend or neighbour, this episode is packed with practical advice, information and organisations that can help.In this episode we discuss:💙 What an unpaid carer is💙 The role of a Carers Champion💙 The emotional and practical challenges of caring💙 Local support available across Wiltshire💙 Financial support and benefits💙 Planning for the future💙 Where to turn when you need helpWe hope this conversation helps more carers realise they're not alone and encourages them to access the fantastic support available within our community.Helpful organisations and resources mentioned in this episode💙 Carers Together Wiltshire 💙 Carer's Allowance (GOV.UK) 💙 Attendance Allowance (GOV.UK) 💙 Wiltshire Parent Carer Council 💙 Stroke Association Support 💙 MS Society 💙 BSW Community Services 💙 Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon & Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) 💙 Wiltshire Council Adult Social Care 💙 Care Choices Wiltshire Directory 💙 Parkinson's UK Information & Support 💙 Carer Friendly Wiltshire 💙 Alzheimer's Society 💙 NHS Continuing Healthcare Information 💙 Lasting Power of Attorney (GOV.UK) 🎙️ The Community Sofa is hosted by Courtney Hillman and Debs Sheldon from Right at Home Salisbury & Andover, bringing together local charities, healthcare professionals, community organisations and experts to help families discover the support available across Salisbury, Andover and the surrounding areas.If you found this episode helpful, please like, subscribe and share it with someone who may benefit. Together, we can help more people discover the incredible support available within our community.

  10. Aug 14

    Introducing The Community Sofa | A New Community Podcast for Salisbury & Andover

    Welcome to The Community Sofa! In this special introduction, hosts Courtney Hillman and Debs Sheldon explain why they created The Community Sofa and what you can expect from the conversations ahead. At Right at Home Salisbury & Andover, we're passionate about more than providing exceptional home care. Every day, we meet incredible charities, healthcare professionals, community groups and local organisations doing amazing work, yet many people simply don't know the support available to them. The Community Sofa was created to change that. Each episode brings you relaxed, honest conversations with the people making a real difference across Salisbury, Andover and the surrounding villages. Together, we'll explore health, wellbeing, ageing well, community services, unpaid carers, dementia support, independent living and much more. Whether you're supporting a loved one, looking for advice, or simply want to discover the amazing people helping our community thrive, this podcast is for you. 💙 New episodes released regularly. If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe and share to help us connect even more people with the support available right on their doorstep. Because every great community starts with a conversation.

  • 10 Episodes

About

Welcome to The Community Sofa, the podcast bringing together the people, organisations and stories that make our community stronger. Hosted by Courtney Hillman and Debs Sheldon from Right at Home Salisbury & Andover, each episode features relaxed conversations with local charities, healthcare professionals, community groups and experts, helping people discover the support available across Salisbury, Andover and the surrounding villages. Because every great community starts with a conversation.

Information

  • Creator
    Right at Home Salisbury & Andover
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Right at Home Salisbury & Andover
  • Show Website
    The Community Sofa