Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1. This report details the outcome of the initial process for allocating grant funding through the main Adult Services Grants programme for 2009/10 and seeks approval from the Executive Member for Adult Social Care to make these grant awards.

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. Background details of the Adult Services Grant Programme and Process.

2.2. Details of steps taken in determining grant allocations for 2009/10.

2.3. Details of recommendations of organisations supported including recommended funding allocations and details of proposed activities (Appendices C and D).

2.4. The Grant Programme's Criteria.

2.5. Monitoring and Evaluation process.

2.6. Impact Assessment.

2.7. Conclusion.

3) Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

3.1. Approval be given for the support of voluntary organisations in 2009/10, for grants of £5000 and above, totalling £934,661 as outlined in Appendix C.

MAIN REPORT

1) Contextual Information:

1.1 The publication `A Guide to Procuring Care and Support Services', published by the Department for Communities and Local Government, October 2006, draws a helpful distinction between grants and contracts.

1.2 A grant is defined as a sum of money to support a particular activity. It does not usually cover the entire cost of the activity and it is legally considered to be a one-sided gift, rather than a payment in exchange for services.

1.3 A contract is a binding agreement to perform a certain service in exchange for an agreed payment.

1.4 In broad terms these definitions are an affirmation of those used by the former Social Services Committee for many years. There has been a trend to transfer services from a grant-funded to a contractual basis in the light of the above definitions, for many years.

1.5 In accordance with the outcome of the corporate Best Value Review of support to the voluntary sector, the Adult Services grants programme is advertised on the corporate website. Community Voluntary Services are also informed of the County Council's grant programme.

1.6 Grants of £5,000 and above require authorisation by the Executive Member - Adult Social Care.

1.7 The provisional budget in 2009/10 for grants to voluntary organisations is £1,165,500. This report represents an allocation of £934,661 for grants over £5000. The balance of this provisional budget will be allocated to grants of £4,999 and below through delegated authority by the Director of Adult Services, and those grants previously allocated on a multi-year basis (£100,000 per annum was allocated to Hampshire Voluntary Care Groups Advisory Service in 2008/09 for three years).

1.8 The provisional budget includes £525,000 which is a one-off virement from the learning disability budget to the Adult Services grant programme. It is recommended this money is used for pump priming new initiatives and to expand Advocacy and Person Centred Planning Schemes in line with The Hampshire Model of Personalisation.*

* The grants recommended for funding from this budget are marked with an asterisk in both Appendix C and D.

1.9 A total of 95 applications were received for the 2009/10 Grant Programme, totalling £1,433,665. This represents an oversubscription of £268,165. 20 of these applications are recommended to be awarded grants over £5000. Grant recommendations for grants under £5000 will be submitted in a separate report to the Adult Services Departmental Management Team. Grants under £5000 are no longer dealt with by the Local Area Offices as stated in the `Centralisation of Adult Services Grants' report approved by the Departmental Management Team on 13 December 2007.

2) Key Issues:

2.1 Grants Criteria and Wellbeing

2.1.1 Adult Services criteria for grant applications are:

(i) the grant recipient is a voluntary or community organisation;

(ii) the services, projects or activities of the organisation support the priorities of Hampshire County Council and fit with the objectives of the Adult Services Department;

(iii) the services, projects or activities are for people living in

Hampshire;

(iv) the organisation has a clear management structure within its constitution; and

(v) where applicable, the organisation shall demonstrate it holds the appropriate level of insurance and has in place policies around Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Race Relations.

The grant applications received were considered in relation to how well they linked with current Adult Services objectives:

· Maximising independence and inclusion

· Right care in the right place at the right time for users

· Vulnerable people are protected

· Delivering a high quality, cost effective service to the vulnerable people of Hampshire

· Addressing inequalities linked to the Comprehensive Area Assessment

· The Hampshire Model of Personalisation

2.1.2 All grant applications have been considered in a staged process, initially for recommendation by senior operational and commissioning managers and then at a grant panel where applications and recommendations were considered within the context of the available budget. The grants panel consisted of the grants officer and senior Adult Services officers, and a senior manager from Hampshire Partnership Trust. All grant applications have been subject to scrutiny on need for the service vis-à-vis the Department's strategic commissioning objectives and priorities, as well as financial need. As previously mentioned, grants over £5,000 require authorisation by the Executive Member for Adult Social Care. These are summarised in Appendix C.

2.1.3 The Department and the organisations being recommended for grant funding are expected to show a commitment to the One Compact for Hampshire.

2.1.4 Organisations will not normally be eligible for grants where they hold balances in excess of one year's running costs. Those organisations receiving recurring funding which hold in excess of three months' running costs, and where they cannot demonstrate through their reserves policy that these reserves are justified, may receive a reduced grant. To establish the level of reserves, organisations are required to provide a set of their latest accounts and annual report with their application and before grant payment is made - in the case of organisations with an income of £10,000 or above, these must be independently examined or audited. If organisations have reserves in excess of three months, we will apply the newly adopted reserves policy which is in line with the Charity Commission's policy on these matters.

2.1.5 Grants are generally a contribution to core costs or service/project costs. Adult Services expect those organisations applying to find additional funding from other sources, to contribute to the costs in kind (through volunteer time, for example) or both.

2.1.6 Those organisations and services that fulfil the above criteria and comply with mutually agreed reporting and monitoring requirements, will be considered by Adult Services for grant funding. Where an application has not been successful, advice and guidance in seeking alternative funding will be offered should an organisation request it.

2.1.7 As outlined above, a voluntary organisation may be considered for grant aid from Adult Services only if its services, projects or activities are in compliance with the aims and objectives, priorities and policies of the Adult Services Department. Grants are given to support services that are better provided by the voluntary sector e.g. the mobilisation of community resources to help vulnerable people maintain their independence e.g. Winchester Live at Home Scheme or the Physical Activity for Older Adults Programme provided by Rushmoor Healthy Living.

3) Risk Assessment and Management

3.1 The provision of grants to Third Sector Organisations by statutory bodies always presents a degree of risk. Specific risks that statutory bodies are required to manage include Third Sector organisations accepting funding without providing a service; Third Sector organisations not delivering the service as expected; and there being an under spend on the expected activity.

3.2. This applies to all grants, however larger grants represent a potentially higher cost to the County Council.

3.3. A number of mechanisms have been employed successfully over a number of years to mitigate and alleviate these risks. These include nominating a Liaison Officer from the County Council whose responsibility is to monitor how the grant is spent, specifying within the grant agreement that the grant is `restricted' funding for the provision of the specified activity only and phasing the payment of grants over the course of the financial year.

3.4. Grants are often used to enable positive risk taking. They provide a necessary level of flexibility where development opportunities are available, in particular pump priming and market development. This is not something to which contractual arrangements readily lend themselves. A number of grants within this report are within this category. The above detailed mitigation mechanism would be employed to manage this.

4) Outline of Options:

4.1. Option 1:

a) The grants application decision-making process is designed to evaluate the options available for decisions and recommendations concerning grants awarded by the Adult Services Department. This report represents the outcome of that process and so presents the recommendations in that context.

5) Conclusions:

5.1. It is recommended that the approval be given to the grants as listed in Appendix C.

6) Recommendations:

6.1 Approval be given for the support of voluntary organisations in 2009/10, for grants of £5000 and above, totalling £934,661 as outlined in the attached appendices C and D.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

1. Equalities Impact Assessment:

a) In compiling the attached 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.

2. Impact on Crime and Disorder:

a) The County Council has a legal obligation under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to consider the impact of all decisions it makes on the prevention of crime. The proposal in this report aims to improve the safety of vulnerable Hampshire residents and reduce the risk of crime occurring. Examples of projects recommended to be funded include the Trinity Centre, Winchester and Rushmoor Healthy Living.

3. Climate Change:

a) How does what is being proposed impact on our carbon footprint / energy consumption?

· The Adult Services Grant Programme proposes to support local organisations providing services within local communities. This reduces the need to travel and therefore reduces both the carbon footprint and energy consumption.

b) How does what is being proposed consider the need to adapt to climate change, and be resilient to its longer term impacts?

· The proposal recognises the need to adapt to climate change and plans to develop a longer term strategy in order to address this.

Appendix C

Appendix D

1. Older People

1.1 Age Concern Andover and District - £10,555

Age Concern Andover and District represents and lobbies for older people in the Andover and District area, in particular Mid and North Test Valley. It provides information, advice and needs-led services. The services give help, support to and care for older people to improve their quality of life. The grant helps people to live independently and links closely with the well-being agenda. Approximately 3,300 people benefit from the services of the organisation of which approximately over 100 are referrals from the Adult Services Department. The organisation is an important partner not just for the Department but also for various other local voluntary and community organisations. The organisation's latest accounts show they hold 2.4 months' reserves.

Age Concern Andover and District were allocated a grant of £10,298 in 2008/09. It is recommended that a grant of £10,555 be approved for 2009/10, i.e. last year's grant plus inflation.

1.2 Age Concern Hampshire, Countywide Information and Advice Service - £100,747

Age Concern Hampshire promotes the welfare of older people in Hampshire. The grant contributes towards the costs of the organisation's information and advice, which fits with current departmental objectives, including the Universal Offer within the Hampshire Personalisation Model. The information and advice service has achieved Level Three of Community Legal Services quality mark for general help and general help with telephone.

Last year the service dealt directly with 5,645 enquiries and gave support to Age Concern Hampshire's other outlets. Between them they dealt with 14655 enquiries. Issues included care home choice and fees, benefits, adaptations to the home, insurance and transport.

The Service also organise and participate in conferences and seminars to promote awareness of issues pertinent to older people. This included holding 6 `Residential Care Information Days' in 2008-09. They also publish a newspaper and present a weekly radio show on Express FM.

The total cost of the service is an estimated £133,248 for 2009/10. The organisation holds under 3 months' reserves of running costs.

Age Concern Hampshire were allocated a grant of £99,787 in 2008/09.

It is recommended that a grant of £100,747 be awarded for 2009/10., i.e. last year's grant plus inflation.

Appendix D

1.3 Age Concern Hampshire in Basingstoke - £27,532

Age Concern Hampshire in Basingstoke aim to promote the welfare of older people in Basingstoke and Deane. They currently run eight activity centres (six HCC funded) for older people at various locations in the Basingstoke area.

The centres provide social and leisure day activities to older people who would otherwise have difficulty in accessing such opportunities and, thus, provide a preventative service and contribute to the well-being and healthy living agendas. The overall cost per half day session averages at £3.96, providing value for money for this sort of service. The grant would contribute to running costs of six of the eight centres.

Age Concern Hampshire in Basingstoke were allocated a grant of £26,266 in 2008/09. It is recommended that a grant of £27,532 be approved for 2009/10, i.e. last year's grant plus inflation. The organisation holds 2.4 months' running costs in reserves.

1.4 Age Concern Romsey and District - £7,985

Age Concern Romsey maintains the centre for older people at Linden Hall. It offers information and advice, social interaction and health & welfare facilities. The hall is dedicated primarily for use by older people, directly through activities and through events organised by Age Concern Romsey and other organisations working with older people in the Romsey area.

More than 500 older people benefit from the activities run by Age Concern Romsey. The grant, which is a contribution towards the cost of the Service Development Officer and Hall Administrator, provides good value for money. The grant fits with the well-being and preventative strategy and forges the Department's local partnership in Romsey with a key voluntary organisation.

Age Concern Romsey and District were allocated a grant of £7,791 in 2008/09. According to the latest published accounts, the organisation holds 1.5 months of reserves. A grant of £7,985 is recommended for 2009/10, i.e. last year's sum plus inflation.

1.5 Age Concern Winchester - £12,123

Age Concern Winchester aims to promote the welfare of older people and to improve the quality of their lives by offering services that give practical help, advice and regular care and mental stimulation. Approximately 400 older people and their carers benefit from these services.

The grant pays for the core running costs of the organisation, including the costs of the Chief Officer and the Lunch Club Coordinator. Specific services like a Take A Break and Help in the Home scheme are funded by contracts.

Appendix D

The Department has worked in partnership with the organisation for several years. The grant fits well with preventative and well-being agenda. The organisation hold less than one month's reserves.

Age Concern Winchester were allocated a grant of £11,827 in 2008/09.

A grant of £12,123 is recommended for 2009/10, i.e. last year's sum plus inflation.

1.6 Club Hampshire - £118,685

Club Hampshire aims to promote the wellbeing of older people by providing a range of day services to improve quality of life or maintain independence. Club Hampshire provides clubs for older people and also serves as an umbrella organisation for those clubs.

In 2008-09 Club Hampshire expanded its service to 56 clubs for older people, and increased its attendance to 1400. The clubs operate across the county with programmes that provide a mixture of health, education, entertainment, fun and friendship. They are run on a voluntary basis and aim to be flexible enough to meet individual needs.

The grant offers excellent value for money and meets the Department's objective of maintaining independence and the Wellbeing agenda. The accounts for the year ending March 2008 show the organisation is in deficit by £3,472.

Club Hampshire were allocated a grant of £118,264 in 2008/09. It is recommended that a grant of £118,685 be awarded for 2009/10.

1.7 Rushmoor Healthy Living (RHL), Physical Activity for Older Adults Programme (PAOA) - £15,000

Rushmoor Healthy Living's PAOA programme is an established service delivering weekly exercise sessions in community venues across Rushmoor's disadvantaged areas. They deliver 17 weekly community exercise sessions: 15 in Rushmoor's disadvantaged areas and 2 in Fleet. The aim is to target disadvantaged older adults, to reduce health and social inequalities and improve quality of life. Barriers to inclusion are addressed including ability, accessibility and income.

The service fits well with meeting the Department's objectives of maximising independence and inclusion and the Wellbeing agenda. In 2008-09 the PAOA engaged approximately 300 older people (50+). The latest audited accounts show that RHL hold 8.6 months' reserves.

Rushmoor Healthy Living PAOA was allocated £15000 in 2008-09. It is recommended that a grant of £15,000 for 2009/10 be approved.

Appendix D

1.8 Rushmoor Healthy Living - Core Services - £10,000

Rushmoor Healthy Living aim to deliver high quality, effective projects aimed at improving physical health and mental well being. Their focus is to engage disadvantaged and vulnerable local residents in order to address health and social inequalities and improve quality of life.

Rushmoor Healthy Living delivers a wide range of projects which provide opportunities and support to those most in need to enable them to take control of and improve their health, general well being and quality of life. 15 of the 21 projects either partly or solely engage older adults. Projects include fuel poverty project, social well being activities, seated exercise programmes, weight management, health MOTs skilled health courses, health trainers, smoke free homes project, and exercise classes. Outcomes include improved short and long-term physical health, improved mental health and well being, improved quality of life, maintained/improved levels of independence, reduced likelihood of admission to residential settings, improved balance and reduced falls, improved self esteem and confidence, reduced social isolation, reduced health inequalities, decreased BMI, increased healthy eating, increased awareness and take up of healthy lifestyle choices. These outcome link in well to the Wellbeing agenda.

The funding will help maintain the existing projects and also pilot new initiatives. It links in well with strategies including Personalisation and the Wellbeing Agenda and the LAA agreement. They hold 8.6 months' reserves.

In 2008-09 Rushmoor Healthy Living were allocated £10,000 for their core services. It is recommended that a grant of £10,000 for 2009/10 be approved.

1.9 Winchester Live at Home Scheme - £15,375

Winchester Live at Home Scheme aims to deliver high quality, cost effective services to vulnerable older people (65+) in Winchester. They target older people who are socially isolated and housebound predominantly within Winchester city and offer a range of social activities and contacts to maximise their independence, inclusion and feeling of wellbeing.

The organisation offers a number of services including 1-to-1 befriending; 4 group services (friendship club, lunch club, exercise club, and arts & crafts club); 2 ancillary services (shopping service and keep-in-touch or contact service); a holiday service; an early response service for referrals with immediate needs, peer monitoring exercise and walking group.

Within the last year Winchester Live at Home has seen an increase of 54 (30%) in their membership. The services are provided to those older people who do not meet the Department's criteria, but provide an important

Appendix D

preventative resource in establishing social inclusion and maintaining

people's well-being. It therefore links in to the Wellbeing and Personalisation Agendas. A total of 171 older people and carers benefited

from their services in 2008-09 (119 in 2007-08). The organisation holds less than 3 months' reserves.

Winchester Live at Home Scheme were allocated a grant of £15,000 in 2008-09. It is recommended that a grant of £15,375 for 2009/10 be approved, i.e. last year's sum plus inflation.

2. Older Persons Mental Health

2.1 Alzheimer's Society - Basingstoke and District- Outreach Service - £7500

The Alzheimer's Society Basingstoke and Deane offers practical services and support for people with all types of dementia and their carers. Around 600 people a month make enquiries to the branch and in 2008-09 250 people were offered a service. Services include provision of relevant, meaningful and timely information; referral to appropriate support groups; home visits; assistance and collaboration with local, health and statutory services; recruitment of local volunteers within the community; targeting hard to reach groups including those living alone and in rural areas; setting up peer support groups. The worker also liaises with GP surgeries and support training provided in Basingstoke hospital.

The funding will continue to pay for a part-time outreach worker. Due to demand the plan is to increase the hours to 15 per week. The service links in with the wellbeing agenda and more specifically the Older People's Mental Health Strategy. The latest accounts show 12 months' reserves are held.

Alzheimer's Society - Basingstoke and District were allocated a grant of £14,000 in 2008-09. A grant of £7,500 is recommended for 2009/10.

2.2 Alzheimer's Society - Blackwater Valley - Outreach Service - £12,125

The Alzheimer's Society Blackwater Valley offers practical services and support for people with all types of dementia and their carers. Around 750 people every month make enquiries to the branch and in 2008-09 250 were offered input from the outreach service. Services include provision of relevant, meaningful and timely information; referral to appropriate support groups; home visits; assistance and collaboration with local, health and statutory services and recruitment of local volunteers within the local community. The outreach worker engages with hard to reach groups, those living alone and in rural areas; is involved in setting up peer support groups; and liaises with GP surgeries. The organisation holds 12 months' running costs in reserves.

Appendix D

The service was previously funded by the Big Lottery. This is the first application to the Adult Services Grant Programme. A grant of £12,125 is recommended.

3. Physical Disability

3.1 deafPLUS, Home Benefits Service - £7,175

deafPLUS encourages integration & equality between deaf & hearing people in all areas of life; providing information and support in the local community. It provides skilled assistance to people with hearing loss who need to maximise their income by making benefit applications and applying to appeal tribunals.

This is a valued community service which provides specialist support not routinely provided by mainstream organisations and complements the work of the Sensory Services Team. The increased benefits received allow greater independence, wellbeing and choice for people with hearing loss across Hampshire, fitting well with Department objectives and the Wellbeing agenda. 55 people with hearing loss benefited from this service in 2008/09, all of whom were referred from Adult Services. The latest audited accounts show that they hold 0.7 months' reserves.

deafPLUS were allocated a grant of £7,000 for 2008/09. A grant of £7,175 is recommended for 2009/10, i.e. last year's sum plus inflation.

3.2 Hampshire Centre for Independent Living (HCIL)- £7,500

HCIL encourages the voice of service users in planning and delivery of support services, thus promoting greater `ownership' by service users. It also uses the experience of disabled people to promote and support independent living through the use of Self Directed Support/Direct Payments. The organisation support a large number of users through the circulation of the monthly newsletter `Direct'.

The grant pays for the organisation's core activities. The organisation holds no reserves.

Hampshire Centre for Independent Living were allocated a grant of £7,500 in 2008/09. It is recommended that a grant of £7,500 be approved for 2009/10.

3.3 Huntington's Disease Association - £9,014

The Huntington's Disease Association exists to support people affected by Huntington's disease, a neurological disorder that causes progressive mental deterioration and severe physical incapacity. The grant contributes proportionally to the Regional Care Adviser for Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. In 2008/09 approximately 700 people from Hampshire, including

Appendix D

carers, benefited from this service, with 15-30 referrals coming directly from Social Services.

The service also promotes joint working for a wide group of multi-disciplinary professionals and assists with care planning, organising and

running training sessions for professional staff, residential and nursing homes, and schools. The work of the organisation is wholly consistent with the corporate and departmental strategies, is valuable and flexible and the grant provides extremely good value for money. The Regional Care Advisor is a skilled former nurse who offers outstanding advice and support. The organisation holds reserves of 3 months' running costs.

Huntington's Disease Association were allocated a grant of £8,794 in 2008/09. A grant of £9,014 is recommended for 2009/10, i.e. last year's sum plus inflation.

3.4 New Forest Disability Information Service - £10,250

The information service provides a free, confidential impartial disability related information and advice service to disabled people, their families, carers and any other interested party throughout the New Forest. They aim to empower these individuals by enabling them to make informed choices and lead active lives in their community.

Approximately 1300 people with disabilities, their families or carers benefited from their service in 2008-09. Over 300 of these were referred by the Department. The work of the organisation is consistent with corporate and departmental strategies including Personalisation. They are seen by the local Area as potentially providing a brokerage service for people on individualised budgets. Latest accounts show the organisation holds limited reserves.

New Forest Disability Information Service were allocated a grant of £10,000 in 2008/09. A grant of £10,250 is recommended for 2009/10, i.e. last year's sum plus inflation.

4. Learning Disability

4.1 Hampshire Advocacy Regional Group (Advocacy consortium known as HARG) - £150,000 *

HARG is an advocacy provider which aims to promote independent advocacy in Hampshire for adults with learning disability. They also identify gaps in provision and develop new services to meet identified needs.

The funding will build on existing services in advocacy and Person Centred Planning in order to drive forward the Personalisation agenda in Hampshire. It also links in well with Valuing People Now. This additional

Appendix D

need was identified in discussion with Learning Disability commissioners in Hampshire and the Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership Board.

This is the first time HARG have applied to the Adult Services Grant Programme. They have just over 11 months' reserves of annual expenditure. A grant of £150,000 is recommended for 2009/10.

4.2 Advance Housing and Support - £73,000 *

Advance Housing works with people with a learning disability or a mental health problem to realise their potential as valued citizens.

The project aims to provide a service to support people into Shared Ownership. This will enable people with long-term disabilities to move from unsuitable housing into properties that they choose on the open market and they part purchase. Advance will assess the suitability of the scheme for someone who is referred, support them in identifying properties and throughout the whole conveyance process. The scheme also enables Advance to provide the repairing service for the Shared Owner. The need for this service has been identified in discussions with Hampshire Adult Services Department. It links in with the Personalisation agenda. This application represents one year's funding to pilot access to and support around shared ownership for people with a learning disability.

The grant will enable Advance Housing and Support to build on the successes of Shared ownership for people with a learning disability.

Half the grant will be used to fund a one year post, employed by Advance Housing and Support. The post holder will be experienced in Shared Ownership and will focus solely on Hampshire. The aim will be to make twenty new Shared Ownership placements for users with a learning disability by April 2010. The post holder will help locality teams to make Shared Ownership a `common option' and will have time to offer practical advice and support to families throughout the process.

Half the grant will be used to pay conveyance costs for service users (up to £2000 per person). Without this fund Shared Ownership would not be a viable option for many people.

This is the first application Advance Housing have made to the Adult Services Grant Programme. They hold 0.3 months' reserves of annual expenditure.

A grant of £73,000 is recommended for 2009/10.

4.3. Mencap Pathway Service - £302,000 (Mencap Advance - £110,000, Work Right £115,000 and Mencap Pathway £77,000) *

Mencap Pathway Service supports people with a learning disability in developing the skills needed for the whole workplace. This includes not just training for people's career choices, but also fundamental skills like

Appendix D

self confidence, personal presentation, initiative taking, decision making and managing responsibility.

The three projects will work closely with people with learning disabilities to enable them to develop the skills they need for the workplace and also work with employers to enable them to access mainstream work opportunities.

In 2008-09 90 people with a learning disability benefited from the service. 60 of these were either referred or signposted by Adult Services. The service links in well with Valuing People Now, National Indicator 146 - improving employment for people with a learning disability and PSA 16 - increasing the proportion of socially excluded adults in settled accommodation, employment, education or training.

These applications represent one year funding for pump priming initiatives for supported employment schemes for people with a learning disability.

This is the organisation's first application to the Adult Services Grant Programme. They hold 1.3 months' reserves.

5. Other Services

5.1 Andover Advocacy Alliance - £21, 074

Andover Advocacy Alliance provides independent advocacy to vulnerable adults in the Test Valley. It is available to all adults living in Test Valley who have a specific issue they need help with. They use a model of volunteer advocates and issue-based advocacy. They also run an advocacy group for veterans.

Andover Advocacy Alliance aim to support and enable people to take greater control of their lives through helping them to make more informed choices, have increased involvement in decision-making, a better understanding of their rights, and enhanced skills to assert those rights. A total of 225 people benefit from the service across all care groups including mental health, learning disability, older people, physical disability.

Previously the organisation has been project managed by Test Valley Community Services. Since April 2008 they have been operating as an organisation in their own right. They hold 1.5 months running costs in reserves.

Andover Advocacy Alliance were allocated a grant of £20,560 in 2008/09.

It is recommended that a grant of £21,074 be approved for 2009/10, i.e. last year's sum plus inflation.

5.2 Trinity Winchester - £17,021

Trinity Winchester supports those disadvantaged by homelessness, addiction, mental illness or other social exclusion. They provide a

Appendix D

therapeutic programme of interventions giving emotional and practical support, free food and shelter, (day) bathing and laundry facilities, postal address, housing and benefits advice, emotional and family support, learning opportunities and advice about re-entering education and employment.

Trinity Winchester runs three centres: a homeless drop in based in Winchester, a women's centre based in Winchester and a homeless drop in based in Basingstoke. The average number of service users is 50 per day at Winchester drop in, 25 per day in Basingstoke, and 20 women per day to the Women's Centre. The organisation are in the process of building new premises in Winchester through which they aim to better serve their client group and expand on existing services provided.

Trinity Winchester meets the Adult Services objective of promoting wellbeing and offering preventative services, as identified in the Universal Offer within the Hampshire Model of Personalisation.

Trinity Winchester hold 0.5 months' reserves. They were allocated a grant of £17,021 in 2008/09. It is recommended that a grant of £17,021 for 2009/10 be approved.