Somerset Health and Care Academy

The Somerset Health and Care Academy brings organisations and sectors together to support people to train, develop and build careers in health and care across Somerset.

It is a partnership between our trust, health, care, education and local government, working together to make training and innovation easier to access, more relevant and better connected to real jobs.

The Academy brings together partners from health and care, primary care, social care, the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, education, local government and innovation, including representative bodies such as the Registered Care Providers Association.

Somerset’s communities are changing, and so are health and care services. We need more people with the right skills, working in new and different ways, closer to where people live.

The Academy helps Somerset to:

• grow a local health and care workforce
• support community and neighbourhood care
• improve access to high-quality, standardised training and careers
• help people stay and work in Somerset
• support innovation and new ways of working.

Learning together for the health and care workforce of today and tomorrow

The Academy’s vision is to create a place where health and care professionals learn, innovate and work together to support healthier, resilient communities where everyone can thrive.

What the Academy does

• Brings together colleges, universities and training providers.
• Works with employers to design training that meets real needs.
• Supports digital and flexible learning.
• Creates clear routes into health and care careers.
• Helps smaller organisations access training.
• Supports innovation and new ideas.

Training that works for Somerset

Training is offered through:

• a physical hub at the Bridgwater Community Hospital site
• virtual and blended learning across Somerset.

This means people can access training whether they work in towns, villages or rural areas.

Working together

The Academy works with:

• NHS, primary care, social care and voluntary, charity and social enterprise organisations
• Education providers
• Local councils and system partners
• Innovation and business partners

By working together, we can make better use of resources, share expertise and create more opportunities for people.

Creating inclusive careers

The Academy supports:

• entry routes into health and care
• career development and progression
• opportunities for people from under represented communities
• local people to build long term careers in Somerset.

Looking ahead

The Somerset Health and Care Academy is being developed step by step. In 2026/27, partners will agree how the Academy will work, launch the first learning offer in September 2026 and continue plans for the Bridgwater site. Building work is expected to move forward in early 2027, once the necessary approvals are in place. The completed hub is planned to open in 2028.

Together, we are building a stronger, more sustainable health and care workforce for Somerset.