Minutes:
We welcomed Miranda Thomson, Manager, Community Connections Befriending Scheme, who was in attendance to provide Adults Select Committee information on the service.
Community Connections Befriending Scheme is a lottery funded project to address social isolation and loneliness for older people across Monmouthshire. It is a Bridges Community Centre project, an independent local charitable organisation based in Monmouth. The scheme recruits volunteers and matches them up with people who are isolated, also supporting them to get out into the community.
The scheme had been running for and a half years and were coming to the end of the lottery grant, and were applying for further funding.
Members viewed a short film presentation and were invited to comment.
Member Scrutiny:
The Changing Practice, Changing Lives Lead added the outcomes of working with the Community Connections scheme had been so positive it was being recommended to roll-out to remaining Hubs so that the whole County would benefit from the positive approach.
An officer commented that for us as a Council, the benefits of the collaboration had provided The County that Serves team with an element of confidence in terms of the way we enable and support volunteers.
County Councillor P. Farley declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest as trustee of Chepstow Senior Citizens Welfare Trust.
Members commented that the scheme highlighted that there are many very vulnerable people in the County, and questioned if volunteers were aware of the background and needs of the vulnerable adults. In response we heard that in terms of preparation volunteers received an induction, DBS check if working one to one with a vulnerable adult, needed to provide references, and received training. The training had been approved by MCC officers. The training and support would also be adopted by the upcoming car scheme. Volunteers who drive as part of befriending would have to provide copies of their documents and would be given a template letter for insurers. Occupational Therapists were on hand to provide advice with regards to getting in and out of vehicles, and how best to support people.
A Member suggested that where there was on to one care, two people may be beneficial to provide extra support.
A Member questioned what the outcome would be if the funding application was unsuccessful. In response we heard that the scheme would not be able to continue in the same way, as the funding would employ staff and without project coordinators it would not be possible to meet and support the volunteers. The scheme was looking at how to support existing social groups should the funding not be granted, and if other agencies could adopt the one to one relationships. It was hoped to receive funding through the Independent Care Fund. It was noted that the application was for £250,000 funding, to cover a two year project, and would employ four members of staff.
A Member asked if there were other similar organisations across Wales and England, which we may be in contact with. We heard that there was contact with other organisations, and there were 22 similar schemes across Wales, mainly under large national charities. There was definitely an increased interest in befriending.
It was noted that loneliness and isolation had a huge impact on health and was considered the equivalent to smoking and obesity.
Members noted concerns that with the encouragement of independent living, the more the befriending service would be beneficial. In the long term the scheme would assist to alleviate special mental health issues.
The Chief Officer of Social Care and Health added that the Authority sees befriending as part of a whole approach around community coordination moving into something place based. There may be a slight difference in different communities depending on resource, the capacity around volunteering, and a case of being creative around resources. Also need to look at specific grant funding to maximise the resource into the County, and opportunities channelled by the health board. Proposals were in place and would be advised in a month if successful. The other critical partner was around primary care and taking advantages of partnerships with GPs and others within the neighbourhood care network.
It was questioned that should the application for funding be unsuccessful, how much we would miss out on not having the continuation of the service. In response we heard the importance of befriending, and how it plays a big role in keeping people well and happy. It was difficult to provide a cost benefit analysis.
We heard there was a telephone befriending service on an informal basis.
The Chair expressed that there were some serious gaps to consider. Across Monmouthshire as a whole there were elements not mentioned. It was noted the Older Persons Champion, County Councillor G Burrows had been unable to attend today, but there was also supposed to be an Older Persons Coordinator, which seemed to be a vacant position. There is a patchwork around key organisations which were part of the infrastructure, such as Action 50+, strong in some places but not across the county. As a County Council we need to do a lot better at a strategic level
The Chair expressed that he would recommended that the County Council adopts a stronger approach across the County for a number of reasons, one being to ensure that no part of the County is left behind. It was important to recognise the issues surrounding funding, and a question was raised if the County Council should consider making a more focused investment. With lots of strengths in different areas, this should be translated into a strategic model.
Officers explained that they were using the Social Care and Wellbeing Act as a driving force in well-being in its broadest sense, and looking into how to get behind the aspirations of the Act.
The Chair thanked Miranda Thomson and officers for the stimulating discussion and acknowledged the excellent work.