Archived decisions

Contact: Alan Edwards (01962) 847158 [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

1.2 To award a grant of £7300 to Havant and District Socially Independent Disabled for transport and rental costs for the provision of a self help wellbeing service for frail people, which represents £2,300 in addition to the £5,000 grant award under officers' delegate authority.

2. Reason(s)

2.1 This report supports all the corporate strategies.

2.2 The HADSID service maximises wellbeing and quality of life for its members.

3. Other Options Considered

3.1 None.

4. Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 None.

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1 Not applicable.

Approved by: ....................................... Date: .................................

Councillor Felicity Hindson

Executive Member for Adult Social Care

Contact: Alan Edwards (01962) 847158 [email protected]

1. Summary

1.3 This report is in respect of a grant application received from Havant and District Socially Independent Disabled (HADSID) towards funding rental and transport costs.

2. Recommendations

2.1 That a grant of £7300 be awarded to HADSID, which represents £2,300 in addition to the £5,000 grant awarded previously under officers' delegated authority.

3. Links to Corporate Strategies

3.1 The HADSID service maximises wellbeing and enhances quality of place for its members.

4. Impact Assessment

4.1 In compiling this report, account has been taken of the requirements of the Corporate Equalities Plan and Race Scheme. The One Compact for Hampshire has social inclusion as one of its principles and states that all partners are committed to the importance of promoting equality of opportunity for all people, regardless of race, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation and belief. Additionally, equal opportunity and race relation policies have been sought from the voluntary organisations that apply for grants above £5,000.

5. Havant and District Socially Independent Disabled (HADSID).

5.1 HADSID offer craft based activities, e.g. ceramics, woodwork, tapestries, patchwork, weaving, and macramé to their members. The group has 23 members, most of whom are between 50-80 years old, frail and have a range of conditions, e.g. strokes, amputees, sensory loss. All have mobility problems to a degree but are self caring during the sessions, which operate on 3 days per week at the local community school, where they interact positively with students. Transport is provided via their own bus, for which they fundraised. The group is run by older people with disabilities themselves.

5.2 The emphasis of the activity group is on improving function and wellbeing. Many members, when they start, have been isolated, and they aim to seek improvement in physical functioning through the activities which give the opportunity for creativity, learning new skills and social interaction.

5.3 The group takes approximately 3 new people a year. It loses a small number each year as members become too ill and frail to attend. Referrals are made via a number of sources, including Health, self, carers and the Department.

5.4 The group seeking assistance is therefore a self help one managed by, and for, frail people with disabilities.

5.5 This organisation submitted a late grant application but have received the requested level of grant support from the Department for some years.

5.6 It is recommended that the amount of grant requested - £7300 - be awarded but that work be undertaken with the group to help them raise their profile and to assist them seek other funding streams. Their financial position is such that they have below 3 months running costs in reserves and they are therefore financially vulnerable. £5,000 has already been paid to them under delegated officers' authority and approval is therefore sought to pay them an additional £2,300.

7. Conclusion

7.1 The grant to HADSID will enable the continuation of self help group, managed by and for frail people, to provide a valuable wellbeing service and to improve the quality of life of its members.