Agenda item

Surrey Heath Age Concern

Minutes:

The Committee received a presentation from Gwen McClafferty and Tracey Hiney on the work of Surrey Heath Age Concern.

Surrey Heath Age Concern (SHAC) was an independent local charity which aimed to provide a service to enhance tThe Committee received a presentation from Gwen McClafferty and Tracey Hiney on the work of Surrey Heath Age Concern.

Surrey Heath Age Concern (SHAC) was an independent local charity which aimed to provide a service to enhance the lives of older people in the borough of Surrey Heath, with a focus on enabling elderly residents to live independently and reducing social isolationism and loneliness.

As it stood Surrey Heath Age Concern provided befriending services to 49 local residents via a coordinated process, which started with a visit or phone call from the befriending coordinator to assess needs, and was followed by a matching process to ensure a suitable, long lasting relationship between befriender and befriendee. As society returns to face to face contact, befrienders have been encouraged to undertake regular lateral flow tests, share vaccination statuses and follow guidance identified via risk assessments, in order to allow for face to face befriending again. It was emphasised that SHAC had a duty of care to protect both the befriender and befriendee and that indoor befriending only took place where both parties had both of their COVID-19 Vaccinations.

Following the easing of restrictions the Rainbow Café was also due to reopen in June 2021.

Looking forward SHAC had identified that the elderly population’s lack of access to technology had led to greater social isolationism, which was further compounded by the effects of Covid-19.  As a result SHAC were planning and had secured funding for basic IT training sessions for the elderly. Furthermore SHAC was also seeking to implement an impact measurement strategy for its befriending programme and was also aiming to review and improve its volunteer training programme.

The presentation encouraged a wider conversation amongst the Committee in respect of accessibility to the Town for the elderly and less mobile. Following suggestions by Members, Officers were asked to explore the use of a mobility scooter or shopping trolley scheme and a mobile phone lending scheme. Any results, following such explorations, would be reported back to the Committee.

Arising from Members’ questions and comments the following points were noted:

  • Although it could be argued from a Council perspective that there was an overlap between SHAC’s befriending service and the Time to Talk project run by Voluntary Support North Surrey, which the Council also provided a  Revenue Grant to, it was emphasised that the Time to Talk project was aimed at a younger cliental and often those with Mental Health issues.
  • Following on from previous feedback, SHAC now had a fundraising team and had booked onto a social-media training course in order to try to boost its profile. Furthermore it was suggested that SHAC could apply to Members’ Ward Councillor fund as an extra way to access funding.
  • The last year had been challenging for befrienders in respect of the topics discussed during befriending sessions given the impact of the pandemic.
  • A review of all the Council’s grants was due to be considered by the Executive in November.  It is noted that Members acknowledged the benefits and value of the services provided from SHAC.
  • Whilst most of SHAC’s befrienders were based in Camberley and often in and around the Town Centre, SHAC were actively advertising their services in the rural parts of the Borough via libraries and local village magazines. Greater take up in the villages may be naturally encouraged with greater numbers of befrienders available in the rural areas.

Members thanked Gwen and Tracey for the informative presentation and noted the progress of the charity since first presenting to the Committee in 2011.

 

 

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