Ross Pollard

The Royal United Hospital in Bath is offering special swimming sessions to help people with stoma bags overcome concerns about leaks, visibility and other people’s reactions. Healthcare staff say the sessions improve confidence and physical wellbeing, and the hospital hopes other NHS trusts will introduce similar programmes. Participants Claire, who has Crohn’s disease, and Philip Cook, who recently underwent cancer surgery, describe how the sessions helped them return to swimming and other activities, including travel and cycling.

A mural honouring Eddie Kinuthia, who was fatally stabbed in Bristol in 2023, has been unveiled in the St Pauls community. Created by artist Keyane Allman, the artwork aims to celebrate Kinuthia’s life and counter the focus on his violent death. His family hopes the mural will inspire positivity, offer healing, and encourage young people to make better choices. The piece also includes space for community members to leave their own messages in remembrance. Zachariah Talbert-Young was convicted of the murder and sentenced to a minimum of 34 years.

A single father who relies on a community larder in Castle Cary faces increasing hardship as donations fall and Somerset Council ends automatic supermarket vouchers for families on free school meals. The Millbrook Hub reports sharply reduced contributions, while the Trussell Trust’s regional branch is purchasing more stock than ever as supermarket donation levels decline. Charity leaders warn that current trends are unsustainable. Somerset Council says support remains available through the Crisis and Resilience Fund amid continuing cost of living pressures.

A Somerset man living with multiple sclerosis designed a therapeutic show garden for the first RHS Badminton Flower Show, aiming to offer calm and relief from chronic pain. Created with horticulturist Michael Leech, the garden reflects MS through symbolic structures and low‑maintenance plants. After the show, it will be relocated to the Brightwell therapy centre in Bristol. The project has been praised for its beauty, emotional impact, and lasting value for people with neurological conditions.

A new scout group designed for teenagers with special educational needs and disabilities in Midsomer Norton has quickly reached full capacity. Founded by a father seeking suitable activities for his son, the group offers adapted sessions with clearer instructions, quieter spaces and flexibility for participants who may struggle elsewhere. Parents and students describe the environment as welcoming and engaging, with members taking part in activities such as camping and climbing. Staff at Fosseway School hope its success encourages the creation of similar accessible clubs in the region.

A man from Devon denied murdering or manslaughtering his four‑week‑old son during testimony at Bristol Crown Court. Prosecutors allege he violently shook the infant after a night out, causing catastrophic brain and spinal injuries as well as rib fractures. Medical experts described the injuries as similar to those from a high fall or car crash. The baby never regained consciousness and died a week later. The defendant maintains he did not harm the child. The trial is ongoing.