Briefing paper for Cabinet 31^st March, 2008

An Overview of the Work of the Older People's Well-Being Team

The Older People's Well-Being team was established in February 2006 and is situated in the Chief Executive's Policy Unit to provide the opportunity to work across all the departments of Hampshire County Council. It works with partners in both the public and private sector and voluntary and community organisations to develop a series of initiatives to support older people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible with a positive quality of life.

The existing initiatives can be divided broadly into:-

1) Specific projects which are managed through voluntary sector organisations to address social isolation

2) Projects at county level to assist those working with older people in the community

3) Geographically based service development initiatives

By working closely with partners and establishing the Joint Older People's Well-Being Steering Group new alliances have been forged which in turn have resulted in more joined up working, projects developed and sharing of information and networking across the county.

1, Partnership Social Inclusion projects

They include:-

1.1 OPAL Project -Older People's Area Link - This project aims to identify older people who have been cut off and isolated from their communities, and use teams of volunteers to re-engage them. The volunteers will provide information to older people and will also initially accompany them to activities if necessary until they feel confident to go on their own. It is being managed by Age Concern, Hampshire and supported by Hampshire Voluntary Care Group Advisory Service. It has just received three years matched funding from the Big Lottery Well-being fund. It will initially run in the same 6 pilot areas as the Community Innovation Teams.

1.2 Chat to a Friend- This project has extended the Carers Together helpline into a helpline for all older people. It includes the establishment of telephone chat groups whereby older people who find it difficult to get out and about will be able to chat to other older people in their own homes through a conference call type system. Telephone reading groups are being developed, supported by the Library Service.

1.3 Looking Good Feeling Good Project - This project is run by British Red Cross using trained volunteers. They provide therapeutic hand massage for older people and an opportunity for them to chat in a secure environment. The project takes place in social settings, including Club Hampshire clubs, Stroke clubs.

1.4 Seated Exercise Classes -Rushmoor Health Living project

A class takes place each week in Farnborough Community Centre aimed at those who are less able or unable to stand up to exercise. It is run by an Extend tutor.

2. Projects at County Level

2.1 Hampshire Gardening Initiative (HGI)

Developed a multi agency project across the county to support the provision of local gardening services and low maintenance gardening projects. One pilot project is being run by the Beneficial Foundation in the SW of the County. Other projects include, "Can You Dig It!" an adaptive tools loan project run through British Red Cross Medical Depots and the establishment of Creating Gardening Independence advisory groups. Partnership initiatives are also being developed with Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Hampshire Gardens Trust and Thrive Social and Therapeutic Horticultural Charity.

2.2 An Older People's Well-Being Trigger Tool

This is being developed and funded by a multi agency group drawn from Hampshire County Council departments, Fire and Rescue Services, Police Services and voluntary organisations. It will be used by those visiting old people in their own homes. to help them identify areas of concern and risk and provide them with information and training to follow up issues as they arise. The lay out of A Guide to Care at Home has been modified to enable it to act as the main reference point to use with the trigger tool.

2.3 Slipper swap in 2007

This was a series of events across Hampshire run through Age Concern Hampshire where older people could swap their dangerous slippers for a new slip resistant pair which were properly fitted by foot health technicians. It was part of a Falls Prevention initiative. Other organisations provided information and advice at the events. Over 500 people attended across 12 venues with the majority aged between 75- 85 years of age. A high amount of publicity, both local and national was received for these events.

2.4 Contractors in the Community

This scheme is running for the second time, supported by HCC Property Services and IT. It enables HCC approved contractors to donate money to support older people to continue to live independently, in their own homes. The money raised will be used for small acts of maintenance that do not fall within our statutory remit. Tommy Walsh, TV garden and DIY presenter, has agreed to promote the project. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation will manage the project and distribute the funds on our behalf.

2.5 Hampshire County Council Community Centres

Working through the Community Centres in 2007/8 and 2008/09 to develop more activities for older people. Participating centres have set up, for example, chair aerobics classes, computer classes, T'ai Chi classes.

3. Geographically targeted projects

3.1 The Older People's Well-Being Service Development Worker has completed a time limited piece of work in the Fawley, Langley and Blackfield area of Waterside. It's aim was to increase the number of sustainable social and supported activities for older people in the area and to develop more joined up communications, especially between the statutory and voluntary sector organisations. Having completed the initial evaluation of this project she has now started an "Out of town project" in a rural area of Test Valley.

4. Other initiatives.

These include :-

4.1 Special Older People's Edition of Hampshire Now

Published in January 2006, 2007 and 2008 and reaches over 50,000 households over 65 years of age.

4.2 Good Neighbours Award Scheme

The fourth Good Neighbours Award Scheme Evening, hosted by Cllr Thornber, is on Monday 28^th April 2008. The ceremony will not only reward those individuals or groups who provide good neighbourly acts but also those contractors who have joined the Contractors in the Community initiative. Tommy Walsh will be present.

4.3 To enable us to begin to assess the effectiveness of any of the well-being initiatives for the individual, a Well-Being Assessment Tool has been designed by nef ( New Economic Foundation)

Alexandra Burn

Head of Older People's Well-Being Team