The following representatives will attend the meeting to discuss initiatives to help prevent / tackle social isolation in the community:-
· Scheme Managers at Stockport Homes Extra Care Scheme Birch Court in Marple;
· Anchor Pembroke Court Sheltered Housing;
· Representatives from the Good Neighbours’ Scheme currently operating in Didsbury (TBC).
The Panel is invited to consider whether any learning can be applied more widely.
Officer Contact: Gaynor Alexander, Tel: 0161 474 3186 Email: gaynor.alexander@stockport.gov.uk
Minutes:
(a) Judith Bridgehouse and Maria Greenhalgh (Didsbury Good Neighbours) attended the meeting and gave a presentation on how the Didsbury Good Neighbours volunteer led charity operated. They discussed how the care group tackled social isolation and loneliness in the Didsbury community, explained and highlighted the importance of good communication and governance arrangements for the scheme and in addition the process of engaging, recruiting and supporting volunteers.
They explained the approach which was being taken by the care group to target hard to reach groups in the community and that the majority of their clients were referrals, which had been made from medical or health related agencies. The impact of loneliness and social isolation on an individual was discussed and the importance of engaging with the community.
The scheme offered a varied programme of activities and classes and it was important that clients found these meaningful; examples included coffee mornings, computer, art and exercise classes. Further, discussion took place around the cost of managing care groups and the accomplishments and learning outcomes of the care scheme.
The following comments were made/issues raised:-
· A number of people did not want to take steps or ask for help when socially isolated.
· The varying client and volunteer profiles in the different geographic areas in Greater Manchester.
· The cost of community transport and maintenance, and mobility issues for wheelchair users when using community transport.
· How to reach the lonely and isolated groups in the community.
· It was the individual’s choice of whether or not to stay at home and some people preferred this option.
· How the Didsbury Good Neighbours scheme was set up, acquired funding and volunteers.
· The cost of holding social events for clients and venue restrictions.
· A Councillor praised the work of the Didsbury Good Neighbours scheme and how they had helped Didsbury residents.
· The number of volunteers in the Didsbury Good Neighbours scheme.
· ARC – Arts for Recovery in the Community, Reddish, Stockport is a charity which worked with people experiencing emotional or psychological distress.
· The number of voluntary groups in Didsbury and whether networking between the groups took place.
· A Councillor enquired whether the Good Neighbours scheme would expand in neighbouring boroughs and suggested to collaborate to advertise a similar scheme in Stockport.
· How the charity employed members of staff and the difficulties of fundraising for the care group.
RESOLVED – (1) That Judith Bridgehouse and Maria Greenhalgh (Didsbury Good Neighbours) be thanked for their presentation and attendance.
(2) That the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation) be requested to circulate the Didsbury Good Neighbours presentation to Members and that any further questions in relation to the initiatives discussed above be sent to Gaynor Alexander, Corporate Policy Officer.
(b) Vivienne Blow (Stockport Homes, Scheme Manager, Extra Care Scheme Birch Court, Marple) attended the meeting and discussed Stockport Homes’ initiatives to help prevent and tackle social isolation amongst older people. Extra Care Housing provided care and support for older people and helped them to live independently for as long as possible. The scheme consisted of self-contained flats, designed to suit the needs of older people. Social activities and events were organised, which included health and fitness, coffee mornings, Sunday luncheon club, Nintendo Wii and bingo.
The following comments were made/issues raised:-
· The differences between engaging older women and men through social activities in that women were far more likely to engage than men and that men were recognised as a hard to reach group.
· The Sunday Luncheon club was a successful event run by a volunteer at Birch Court, Marple. The club charged attendees £5.00 per head for a 2 course dinner. The Luncheon Club helped to alleviate isolation and loneliness in older people. Men attended the Club therefore the initiative has had success in engaging a difficult to reach group.
· Birch Court, Marple had organised a party to celebrate the Queens’s Diamond Jubilee in June 2012. The community event was a success and networking and community links between local residents and Birch Court had strengthened as a result.
· A Member enquired how Stockport Homes publicised their services and events.
· People were living longer now and the proportion of older people in society was increasing.
RESOLVED – That Vivienne Blow (Scheme Manager, Extra Care Scheme Birch Court, Marple Stockport Homes) be thanked for her presentation and attendance.
(c) Lucie Newsam (Age UK) attended the meeting and discussed inter-generational activities to help promote social inclusion. She reported that in 2009 an Age Concern initiative introduced Nintendo Wii in sheltered housing to promote social and physical activity amongst residents. The initiative was successful because it engaged both women and men, and that the competitive element was particularly well received by men (hard to reach group).
An integration project was organised between Marple Hall High School’s students and a sheltered home in the Borough. Students visited the sheltered housing and played the Nintendo Wii with residents. The project addressed stereotypes about the elderly and young people and developed an understanding of inter-generations.
A DVD was played to the Panel showcasing activities in sheltered housing and interviews with residents and Marple Hall High School’s students on the integration project.
A Member enquired about the process of the Nintendo Wii consoles being distributed in sheltered housing in the Borough.
RESOLVED – That Lucie Newsam (Age UK) be thanked for her presentation and attendance.