Community Network has launched a project in partnership with Reading Borough Council to deliver social care to older people through telephone support and well-being groups. Over the next two-years15 groups will be set up as part of the council’s Preventative and Early Intervention Service.
The aim of the project is to improve the health, well-being and independence of older people, and prevent them from having to go into residential care or require additional statutory services. Community Network has pioneered the use of telephone well-being groups as a means of delivering social care for twenty years, and has run many projects for third sector organisations representing different groups of marginalised and vulnerable people, including the elderly.
”Telephone support and well-being groups are particularly beneficial for those who are less mobile or housebound due to illness, disability, very old age or because they live in a remote location,” says Belay Gessesse, Project Officer for Community Network. “Projects of this type have proved very successful in tackling the feelings of isolation and social exclusion experienced by many older people, which can lead to depression and other health problems.”
Starting in April, the eight elderly people in each group will link up for an hour once a week. They will have the opportunity to discuss any problems they may have or to just chat with others in the group. A group facilitator trained by Community Network will be responsible for each group. If they feel a member of their group needs specific or specialist help they will contact the relevant service or department. The calls are free to all those taking part.
This innovative approach to delivering social care is in line with the Department of Health’s Partnership for Older People Projects (POPP) initiative. POPP encourages local authorities and the voluntary sector to work together to bring about a sustainable change in the provision of social care for older people, whereby resources are channeled towards earlier targeted home-based intervention rather than institutional care.
