To get information, ask a question or book onto any of our groups or walks, call Sarah on reception. If you'd like to speak to any member of staff, Sarah can transfer your call.
If you'd like to talk to the Health Visitors or Midwives, please call them directly. Clicking on the link will take you directly to their page with further information.
If you are delivering something to us, then use the postcode BA9 9HB; come up to the top of Balsam Fields, follow the sharp bend in the road and our back entrance is on the left through iron railing gates.
If you are coming to visit us for a group or session, then use the postcode BA9 9PA, drive along the High Street and turn off for the Memorial Hall and parking. Follow the road round to the right and the centre will be on your left. If you drive just past us you will find the car park with free parking.
This is just the core - there are plenty more that are involved in the centre. We have mental health counsellors who listen, coax and cajole, giving people the tools to manage. We have ten trustees, all volunteers, who help to steer the centre to ensure we serve the community. You might see them disguised as human fruit machines or serving cake at one of our events. Or you can come along to an AGM and hear what we've been up to in the previous year.
It's Sue's job to look at the bigger picture, to ensure that everyone in the community has access to this wonderful centre, that we consider everyone when new projects and groups are started, and the person who has to bring in the funding.
SueREMOVEREMOVEPlaceREMOVE@REMOVEBalsamCentreREMOVE.REMOVEorgREMOVE.REMOVEuk
Jenny is our HR, maintenance, insurance, safety, publicity..... all the background bits you won't see but you'll be glad she's on it. And she knows where everything is!
jennysparkesREMOVEREMOVEREMOVE@REMOVEBalsamCentreREMOVE.REMOVEorgREMOVE.REMOVEuk
He looks after our money and pays the bills, making sure every penny is accounted for, and filing the returns for the Charity Commission. Makes a mean burger too!
EdwardREMOVEREMOVEREMOVE@REMOVEBalsamCentreREMOVE.REMOVEorgREMOVE.REMOVEuk
Lindsey is the friendly face that greets you when you walk in the door or call us. She keeps our leaflets up to date, manages the walks registers, is the cafe cash till, orders the provisions, manages the room bookings, and supports all of us as well as you.
InfoREMOVEREMOVEREMOVE@REMOVEBalsamCentreREMOVE.REMOVEorgREMOVE.REMOVEuk
Louise has the task of entering all the paperwork from Conkers Nursery, ensuring it is safely stored. And on Thursdays, she's our receptionist too!
LouiseREMOVEREMOVEREMOVE@REMOVEBalsamCentreREMOVE.REMOVEorgREMOVE.REMOVEuk
Jani looks after our volunteers and persuades people to join us. She will encourage and support you whilst you're here, whether it's once a month or once a week. If you would like to come and get involved, email her or call the centre.
JaneUpsallREMOVEREMOVEREMOVE@REMOVEBalsamCentreREMOVE.REMOVEorgREMOVE.REMOVEuk
We have about 120 in total, in a range of roles from cooking the delicious lunch every Tuesday for the cafe to leading walks, giving free advice and motivation to people looking for a job, gardening, running clubs like games, assisting in groups like the Dementia Group or playgroups, and reading to pre-schoolers in Conkers Nursery.
The Balsam Centre is an independent charity set up by local people for local people.
Whilst the work of the Centre is long term, funding for its projects and services is all too frequently short term.
It is largely thanks to help from a fund created by a legacy left by one person, that the Balsam Centre has been able to continue its mental health work over the last few years. The help that this has given hundreds of people is a permanent and living memorial to that person’s generosity.
If you are thinking of donating, have you considered becoming a Friend of the Balsam Centre? This is a commitment to regular giving of any amount, at any interval, by standing order, and even better, if you are a UK tax payer and you ‘tick’ to say so, we can claim another 25% on top of your donation to support the work of the Centre. Become a Friend here!
We have signed up to be a part of Give As You Live where you can raise money for us - just by shopping online in your normal way! All you have to do is click on the link, choose your charity - The Balsam Centre - and then create an account.
The site will ask for your name, email address and a password. You can choose your favourite shops, or just use their search bar to find the product you are looking for. When you buy in this way, the retailer will donate an amount to us, and you can see exactly what you have donated. This is a great way for people who would like to support us to do so whilst doing their normal online shopping! All the big retailers are there, Amazon, Ebay, supermarkets, and department stores. Happy Shopping! And thank you for supporting us!!
We have a Wonderful.org charity page where you can donate directly to The Balsam Centre, and Wonderful will collect the tax for us! Just click on the logo and you will be taken to the page for donations to Wincanton Community Venture, the official name for The Balsam Centre charity.
It is largely thanks to help from a fund created by a legacy left by one person, that the Balsam Centre has been able to continue its mental health work over the last few years. The help that this has given hundreds of people is a permanent and living memorial to that person’s generosity. A legacy to the Balsam Centre is also one of the simplest ways that you can help the practical work of the Centre.
This website was designed in-house by Netty. Photos by Oscar Yoosefinejad, Netty, Tina, Catherine and Nick.
