SETTING UP A GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEME
GRANGE COURT 11TH JUNE 2015
MEETING HOSTED BY : DIOCESE OF HEREFORD (DOH )
HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCIL (HC)
WELCOME: Wendy Coombey, Community Partnership and Funding Officer (DOH) explained that DOH/HC had met in January 2015 to discuss the health impact of loneliness. Loneliness and isolation have greater health impact than smoking, drinking or over eating. In view of the increasing strain on the public purse – can we address problem locally? This was the second of two identical seminars attended by Parish Councillors and PCC representatives.
The first half of the seminar focussed on 3 case studies from local schemes.
1. PEMBRIDGE - has a population of ca. 800. Scheme has been operating for just over 2 years with the aim of supporting the community through a free volunteer led service. Focus on the elderly, disabled and single parents. The scheme offers help with light practical tasks e.g. collecting prescriptions, changing light bulbs, pet walking/feeding, light gardening and help with simple administration – understanding forms – reading, help with letter writing.
**THE SERVICE IS NOT AN EMERGENCY SERVICE OR CARE PACKAGE
A directory of volunteers was drawn up together with their specialist skills ( if any ) before the scheme was launched. A leaflet made available to all members of the community which:-
DEFINED SERVICE
WHAT CAN BE PROVIDED
WHAT IS NOT PROVIDED
The scheme operates via a mobile phone with designated number made available to the community.
The volunteers take it in turn to be responsible for the mobile phone which is on between 9.30 – 5.30 every day. The volunteer takes all calls for that day/period.
The nature of the clients need is logged with time.
Volunteer is selected from the directory ( depending on the task ). Call logged
Feed back is logged
There was no transport provision initially although this is now available in a limited way.
NO PERSONAL CARE INVOLVED
START-UP COST - £750
Covering P-A-Y-G Mobile, Leaflet printing, Public Liability Insurance for £5million Tennison Insurance offer a Good Neighbour P/L Insurance
All volunteers must have DISCLOSURE & BARRING SERVICE ( DBS ) check.
Monies obtained for the foregoing as a loan from the PC and donations.
The Pembridge speaker stressed the need that a volunteer should never be put in a dangerous or compromising position. If necessary, volunteers should work in pairs.
2014 - 90 hours of volunteer time
- 51 specific tasks
2. YARPOLE has a population of 650. Their scheme has been running since June 2014 and came out of responses to the Parish Plan questionnaire.
Do you wish to stay in Yarpole and if so, would you need help? A large percentage of the elderly residents confirmed that they believed they might need help.
A similar format using a mobile.
Monthly contract fee £22/month.
Volunteers replied to advert in Parish Magazine.
A policy document was established with copy to all residents.
The current insurance costs - £184p.a.
Grants obtained from PC, PCC DOH and FLICKS ( some of the ticket revenue used )
All 25 volunteers DBS checked.
Some transportation offered in volunteers’ vehicles. Insurance companies should be made aware by vehicle owner.
YARPOLE do not offer any specialist services – e.g. plumber
3. CHURCH STRETTON has a population of 4,000
The scheme has been running for 45 years and was instigated by a local doctors’ surgery.
A volunteer scheme with transport focus. Volunteer charges for petrol and parking at the time of the activity. The client is given an estimate of the cost at time of booking and settles the cost immediately upon completion.
The scheme has a co-ordinator for the day, WEEKDAYS ONLY 8.30-4pm
The scheme requires a notice period for any transport of 2-14 days.
The operating costs are low – telephone costs – there is no dedicated mobile. Volunteer charges for any calls made.
Each volunteer MUST be responsible for checking and verifying their own
motor insurance.
The scheme relies on donations which come, in the main, from the clients.
Part 2 of the seminar led by HC
HOW CAN COMMUNITIES GET SUPPORT FROM SOCIAL CARE WHEN THEY NEED IT?
Mandy Appleby Principal Social Worker spoke about the introduction of The Care Act 2014
It is understood that there is huge stress on public finance. The need to examine capacity within the community to help deliver services is paramount. How can the Social Care teams work with communities?
Adult Provision – How to make a referral to HC
This is done by the individual OR by another party WITH their consent. HC were keen to stress that personal choice and human right must be respected.
SAFEGUARDING: Josephine Cullen, Safeguarding Lead, Adult and Wellbeing HC
The emphasis here was to ensure that volunteers are protected and leave the hard decisions to the experts. A need for integration Police/ Social Worker/Community.
GOOD COMMUNICATION amongst these groups should ensure a safe, good working practice.
WORKING WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONSS AT A LOCAL LEVEL: Alex Fitzpatrick, Commissioning Officer Communities and Wellbeing (HC)
To work with communities to make local schemes possible.
This should be seen as recognition of need NOT abdication of responsibility by HC
A WEB-SITE – HC HUB should be available by September offering a clear brief for ANY care situation. This will be an INFORMATION PROVIDER only as to the services available for independent living – who to call or contact.
** Parish Councils should be responsible for linking their own websites to this site.
SUMMARY
If we are interested to develop this idea further we might consider the following :-
1 .SHOULD THIS BE PC, PCC OR OTHER LED?
2 .ESTABLISH THE NEED – do we have any current data? Is there a need??
If yes,
3 .ESTABLISH THE BOUNDARIES – geographical
What might be offered / not offered
4 .WHO ELSE COULD/SHOULD THE TEAM WORK WITH?
5. WHAT ARE THE COSTS OF IDENTIFIED SCHEME?
6. HOW WILL SCHEME BE FUNDED?
7. HOW WILL SCHEME BE STRUCTURED? – Systems, Procedures
8 .WHO RECRUITS/HOW - Recruit/Train and retain volunteers
9. IDENTIFY RISKS
10.WHAT CHANGE WOULD WE HOPE TO MAKE IN THE COMMUNITY
11.WHAT EXTERNAL RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP?
12. ARE ANY OTHER PC IDENTIFIED SCHEMES HELPFUL? – e.g. bus service
DOH advised that they would offer the DBS check free of charge together with Safe-Guarding Courses - see HC section above.
Also to be provided by DOH a GOOD PRACTICE FOR THE VOLUNTEER pack as soon as possible. No date given.
HC advised that there are currently 7 Community Transport Schemes in Herefordshire.