Annual General Meeting and Marketplace

We are pleased to invite you to the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Marketplace, which will be held on Thursday 17 September 2026 at Somerset County Cricket Club, The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1JT.

The event is open to members of the public, patients, carers, partner organisations and colleagues, and we welcome everyone with an interest in local health and care services. The theme for this year’s event is ‘The NHS 10-Year Health Plan’, which sets out a vision for improving health outcomes and transforming the way healthcare is delivered over the coming decade.

The Marketplace will showcase a range of NHS services available across Somerset, alongside exhibits from local charitable, voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations.  Information and advice on healthy living, wellbeing and lifestyle choices will also be available, highlighting the collective contribution of local organisations in supporting healthier communities.

The Annual General Meeting will provide an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust during 2025/26, as well as to hear about our priorities and plans for the future in the context of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan. We welcome questions from members of the public and, wherever possible, would encourage these to be submitted in advance of the AGM. Receiving questions in advance helps us to ensure that we can provide the most accurate and comprehensive responses. If you wish to submit a question beforehand, please complete and return the attached Public Questions Form to companysecretary@somersetft.nhs.uk by 5pm on Monday 31 August 2026.  We will also be happy to take questions from the audience during the AGM.

The programme for the afternoon is as follows:

Tea and coffee will be available throughout the afternoon. Two on-site car parks are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with additional pay-and-display parking located nearby. Where possible, we encourage attendees to car share.

We are committed to ensuring that our AGM and Marketplace are accessible and inclusive for all attendees:

• Both event spaces are wheelchair accessible.
• Microphones will be used throughout the AGM to support audibility.
• A hearing loop can be provided upon request.
• Accessible toilet facilities are available at the venue.
• Assistance dogs are welcome.
• If you have any additional accessibility, communication or dietary requirements, please let us know when confirming your attendance so that we can make appropriate arrangements wherever possible.

If you would like to attend, please reply to companysecretary@somersetft.nhs.uk by 5pm on Monday 31 August 2026.

We look forward to welcoming you to the event.

Yours faithfully

Dr Rima Makarem               Peter Lewis
Chair                                    Chief Executive