Age Concern Torfaen AGM report 2011-2012
Introduction
Age Concern Torfaen venues at Widdershins and Broad Street are essential to local communities, and have been at the heart of Torfaen for 23 years.
For many older people the Widdershins Centre is the place to be, a buzzing environment of activities and opportunities.
Over the years, many thousands of people have found new confidence and support, along with companionship, laughter, new interests and for many, a life changing experience.
Age Concern Torfaen cares about people, going that extra mile to meet the challenges people face.
People may not be sure where to turn when faced with bereavement or redundancy, worried about finances or simply
Not able to cope with life. At Age Concern Torfaen, they will find practical help, professional advice, opportunities, and a dependable service to support them.
Age Concern Torfaen is the Charity to turn to for practical information, professional guidance. People come to develop new skills, discover new opportunities or simply to meet friends. Our floating support service will help those who are too frail or infirm to visit our venues.
At Widdershins and Abersychan, older people come to:
· have tea and cake
· obtain advice (from care homes, travel to claiming benefits)
· learn to use a computer
· have a laugh amongst friends
· dance
· have a manicure
· sing their heart out
· Take part in an ever-growing programme of enjoyable and relevant pursuits.
When people are depressed or simply lonely, they will find
support and encouragement, kindness and understanding.....
and a whole range of activities (and friends) to help them rediscover the pleasure of life.
The environment of Age Concern Torfaen is conducive to relaxing, recharging and recovering. For some, the Widdershins centre is a haven from a seemingly indifferent world. Others may see it as the place where they learned to use a computer or line dance. Some have regained confidence to volunteer or find employment.
Independent Local Listening
For people who are isolated and confined to home, our service extends into the community. Bringing emotional and practical support where needed in the form of home visits, shopping and cleaning.
The charity’s Floating Support team is accessible to both tenants and owner occupiers. Providing practical support to individuals, we use a person centred approach, working to achieve goals and outcomes for each individual client.
To older people in the community, Age Concern Torfaen Home Support Services makes all the difference in the world, just by knowing someone is there.
Age Concern Torfaen is many things to many different people. The one thing they all agree on is that there is nowhere else like it!
Our Aim - To enhance the quality of life for older people in our community.
Our Mission – We
continually strive to provide
quality services and
encourage involvement
and well-being for older
people in Torfaen by adding
“Life to Years”.
A year of major changes
At our last AGM we reported that Age Concern and Help the Aged were merging. The intention was to create a national umbrella charity – Age UK.
We announced, at the close of 2011 financial year, our plans to retain our independence and reject the offer to become part of Age UK.
The Trustees examined the pros and cons of the proposal. They considered whether we wished to be part of this new centralised national charity; what we in Torfaen had to gain, or indeed lose.
Taking stock of our own achievements and strengths, of almost 23 years dedicated to the wellbeing of the older people of Torfaen, our Trustees decided that no one can match our knowledge of the local area and the needs of older residents. Our
current services, future plans and insights were steeped in local knowledge, by becoming a totally independent charity, we could be re-assured that every penny raised locally is spent locally.
Our commitment to our services and the people of Torfaen has not changed in how we operate. We concluded that the quality and variety of our services would not be enhanced by becoming part of a centralised national charity.
Our decision has also presented exciting opportunities to work with the remaining seven Age
Concern Organisations in Wales.
During the year we have prepared for the creation of Age Connect Wales – a new alliance of Age Concern organisations.
Our dedicated workforce
Our success is due to the passion and commitment of our staff and volunteers. We work to Investors In People, Community Legal Service and Financial Services Authority accreditations. This has helped us achieve high quality standards, and gain recognition to become a preferred provider of services to statutory organisations.
We are very proud of and value everyone who works with Age Concern Torfaen, whether in paid employment , as a volunteer or trainee.
The organisation has a strong management and professional leadership, which encourages staff and volunteers to take up new skills and qualifications in the development of their roles, resulting in an effective and responsive workforce.
During the year we employed 41staff (including full and part time) and increased our Volunteer base by 15 people.
You learn something new every day...
Young people are also important to us and we value our partnerships with training providers, local colleges and schools.
Age Concern Torfaen continues to provide work experience and work based learning for the
16 - 19 age group.
Our intergenerational work is enhanced by bringing younger and older people together to share life experiences and knowledge.
Trainees
16 Trainees have accessed training placements during the year, sourced from:
· Torfaen Training
· Talk Training
· Learnabout Training
· Coleg Gwent
Training Undertaken
· NVQ 13 week Preparation
· Health & Social Care - Level 1
· Customer Service - Level 1
· Business Admin - Level 2
· Work Experience in catering, care, administration and customer service.
Staff Training
Age Concern Torfaen continually provides appropriate training, to enable its staff to deliver services to the best of their abilities.
Specialist courses attended by staff:
· Level 2 Food Safety (QCA Accredited)
· Sustainability Planning
· Advantage products – Stannah Stairlifts & Golden Charter
· Making the most of your money
· Gwent Frailty Awareness
· ITC Compliance – Financial Standards Authority
· Supporting People Outcomes Framework
· Charity Log – Scheduling & Invoicing
· Mentoring & Befriending Foundation Quality Mark & Approved Provider Standards
· Protection of Vulnerable Adults – Awareness, Levels 2 & 3
· Self Harm
· Driving Awareness
· Alternative Office – Pension Service
· Management & Leadership Skills
· Memory & Reminiscence Therapy
· Results Based Accountability
· Equality Act
· Emergency First Aid at work
· End of Life Care
Training provided in-house
· Dementia & Basic Activities
· Team Building
· Sensory Awareness
· Data Protection
· Induction
· Health & Safety
· Charity Log
· Personal Safety
We invested a total of £7539 in training for our staff and volunteers
Volunteering
Time is precious…
to you…
to us…
and to Older People
Volunteers give us a gift of their time to make life better for Older People in Torfaen
The time donated by our volunteers totalled 3989 hours, which is equivalent to spending £24,253
Our volunteers tell us that the main reasons they volunteer is for the company and the chance to help others by doing something useful.
Volunteers enhance and add value to our work
We recognise the contribution they make. Whether a trustee or a kitchen helper, we provide
the support and training necessary to carry out their role.
Activities and Services
Age Concern Torfaen believe engagement in activities is essential to the maintenance of physical and psychological health and well-being. Keeping the body and brain active is therefore vitally important.
Our service offers opportunities for older people to enjoy social activities each week from Information Technology, Craft and Exercise to Nordic Walking.
All our activities are delivered by trained, enthusiastic, energetic staff. Ranging from beginners exercise classes to therapeutic sessions for people with dementia. Expert advice on welfare benefits to practical services like hearing aid battery replacement.
Everything we do is driven by our service users. New classes are developed to meet needs – the Nordic Walking programme has been designed with the help of its members and encourages engagement with the beautiful countryside we have here in Torfaen.
Group activities give people the chance to come together periodically to enjoy an afternoon tea and entertainment, a day trip or tea dance. Those unable to dance are happy to sit on the sidelines, enjoy the music and reminisce, whilst watching others.
Day activities are stimulating, enjoyable and for some the visit to Widdershins is the highlight of their week; a time to see their friends and catch up. For those who care for a partner it is a chance for a well earned break knowing that their loved one is being taken care of.
What our services mean to people
Imagine never being able to sink into a warm scented bath, or living a hand to mouth existence, because you never have a penny to spare and do not realise you’re entitled to more.
Imagine watching that huge damp patch on your ceiling gradually spreading and not knowing who to call because you are afraid of the many cowboy builders out there.
Imagine not being able to cut your toe nails because your arthritis restricts your bending to reach. Or being afraid to admit to anyone you cannot cope when you leave hospital just in case you are taken into a care home and lose your independence forever.
Imagine spending most of your pension at the over-priced convenience store because it’s difficult to get to the supermarket unaided.
Imagine being left behind by a society that seems governed by mobile phones and computers that you can’t get to grips with.
Imagine feeling lonely. Imagine the days of silence with nothing but telly to break the monotony
NOW imagine meeting people who care about you, who will understand you because they share your concerns.
Imagine getting help from kind strangers who become friends.
Imagine laughter and relaxation, a good cup of coffee and homemade cooked lunch in lovely surroundings.
Imagine getting around more, making friends, learning new skills, sharing memories and new experiences.
Imagine fun and companionship.
All this is waiting – at Age Concern Torfaen.
“It is wonderful having someone to cut my toes nail as I can’t manage to bend now, my shoes feel so much more comfortable now, and I have a cuppa in the Bistro afterwards.
“Seeing someone each week is really important to me”
“Having someone who I can trust to come to my home to fix my kitchen taps has been appreciated, very friendly and polite”
Why are we different?
Age Concern Torfaen complements the work of other organisations in Torfaen, working together in order to improve the quality of life for older people.
Whilst statutory authorities are often under pressure to meet ever increasing demands for even basic services, we are able to support clients in maintaining their health and wellbeing, by offering services that no other organisation can match, either in scope or in delivery.
For example:
The family of a 71 year old lady, who was recently bereaved, contacted us regarding financial worries.
Our Information & Advice Service responded by inviting the lady and her family to attend an appointment at a suitable community venue. A benefit assessment was provided:
Outcome:
· Maximisation of income:
Ø Pension Credit
Ø Housing Benefit.
Ø Bereavement Payment
Ø Pension application – change to circumstances
Ø Winter Fuel Allowance
Ø Attendance allowance opportunity identified Successfully gained
Ø Resulting in £9128.92 gained over twelve month period
Our Floating Support Service also assisted, helping to deal with issues of bereavement, low self esteem and confidence, whilst promoting future independence, management and maintenance of the home.
Floating Support Outcome:
· Building of confidence, self esteem and trust through regular contact
· Access to social opportunities within local communities
· Accompany to G.P. – medication review
· Adaptations to property
· Introduction Handyperson Service & Home Services (cleaning) to maintain home
· Increased finance able to pay for accessible transport
An introduction to our Befriending Service was also provided, allowing the lady to access a continued social network, thus maintaining independence and reducing loneliness each week.
The client now feels much more confident to live alone independently. She has an awareness of how to access services, attends various social opportunities, and has rekindled old and made new friendships.
“At the time when we contacted Age Concern Torfaen, I did not know there was so much help for me; I did not know what I was going to do, or how I was going to manage without my husband. I did not know how I was going to pay for my husband’s funeral or manage on my pension.”
“Seeing someone each week from Age Concern Torfaen meant so much to me. Now I continue going to a Befriending Hub and local Lunch Club each week, I really look forward to going, and enjoy the company there”
The aim of the Floating Support Project is to ensure that no older person is left to cope unaided.
Our Befriending Project, in partnership with Torfaen Mind and Crossroads Care South East Wales is funded by the Advantage Safeguarding Big Lottery. The project is accessible to all older people over 50, who may be lonely or isolated in their communities, offering friendship and support in community hubs.
The emphasis of this project builds on the work already undertaken by Age Concern Torfaen and the services provided by the statutory authorities. The Befriending Project is designed to provide an enhanced level of befriending over and above support that we offer.