Issue 201 16.10.24
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Older residents’ support service is under threat A KEY crisis support service for older people provided by Bristolbased charity Brunelcare is under threat, following a proposal to withdraw its funding. The Help When You Need It service is available to all of Brunelcare’s 900 sheltered housing residents living across the city, and is currently funded by Bristol City Council. It provides vital support to elderly and vulnerable residents including those who are at risk of not being able to sustain their tenancies, residents who require additional support during and following a hospital admission and others struggling with a wide range of crises including poor mental and physical health, poverty and social isolation. The Council is proposing to withdraw funding for the service at the end of the current contract in March 2025, as part of wider savings being considered within its Adult Social Care budget. This proposal would save the Council £200,000, a small fraction of the overall savings it is aiming to make within adult social care. A public consultation on the proposal closed on September 17, and the final decision is due to be made later this month. Oona Goldsworthy, chief
executive of Brunelcare, said: “We urge the Council to reconsider the proposal to end this service for vulnerable older people. “We see the huge benefits this service provides to those we support, and in many cases, transform their quality of life. “The service also results in substantial annual savings for the Council and NHS. “In Bristol, more than 500 households approach the Council each month because of homelessness related issues. “We fear that without the support of this service, it is likely that more vulnerable people will be unable to sustain their tenancies and will require assistance from the Council’s own housing and homelessness team at a considerably higher overall cost to the Council and the NHS.” Brunelcare has provided this service since 2021, and over this time it has also seen its clients’ needs and the demands on the service grow in complexity. A decision on the proposal regarding the future of this service is due to be made by members of the Council’s Adult Social Care Policy Committee on October 21. Brunelcare staff and residents who have been supported by the service will attend the meeting.
A Govan social enterprise has partnered with a are home to provide exercise, stimulation and entertainment for residents. ‘Meet Me in Govan’, a project by Invisible Cities, hosts weekly walks which have become a staple in the wellbeing calendar for the residents of Florence House. Every week residents from the care home take part in the walks, which are open to residents and community members, exploring the rich history the area has to offer. Trips have previously included the Govan Stones, Govan Shipyards and Elder Park. The close partnership between Florence House and Invisible Cities was highlighted when Meet me in Govan celebrated its second anniversary at the care home. Florence House is part of Oakminster Healthcare Group, which owns and operates five care homes across Glasgow.
Home and gym join dementia fight
PORTSDOWN View in Bedhampton recently participated in a ‘coffee and cake afternoon’ at Pompey Health & Fitness Club to help raise funds for Dementia UK. The home’s team of chefs baked a batch of cakes for the event, which proved to be a hit with attendees. Organised as part of World Alzheimer’s Month, which runs through September, proceeds from the event will go towards Dementia UK’s work advocating for greater awareness and support for those living with dementia; particularly older people who may lack Tickets to this year’s Caring UK Awards at the Athena, the resources or support they need to cope. Leicester on Thursday, December 5th are now available. For Portsdown View has been an active more information and to book your tickets visit campaigner on this issue since it https://script-events.co.uk/cuk-awards-tickets/ 00057 Carebeans CaringUK January 2024.qxp_Carebeans CaringUK Ad 23mmx80mm 15/12/2023 1 opened its16:08 doorsPage last year.
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The home’s general manager Pippa Mafunga said: “Our team of chefs poured their hearts into these cakes, knowing that something as simple as a sweet treat can play a big role in fighting dementia. “It’s not just about making cakes; it’s about raising awareness of a condition that affects so many people in our community. “We are proud to be working with Pompey Health & Fitness to support the amazing work Dementia UK does around the country”. Portsdown View raised £1,040 for a West Sussex-based charity at a casino night fundraiser in March, and in May it started a bi-monthly ‘Memory Choir’ aimed at improving the lives of people with dementia through music therapy.
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