A pioneering new scheme which will help over 50-year-olds to stay in their homes for longer is being launched in Torbay.
Six organisations, led by the Torbay Community Development Trust are being funded by Ageing Well Torbay to provide a variety of services to older people that will allow them to live on in the homes that they love.
The services cover everything from a low cost handy person service being provided by Yes! Brixham to cooking lessons, menu planning and online shopping on offer from the Ellacombe Community Partnership.
Additionally Healthwatch Torbay will be ensuring that everyone has the access to the health and care services they need when they need it and seAp Advocacy is on hand to make sure people have their voices heard on health, wellbeing and social care issues.
Called Staying Put the project relies on volunteers to be good neighbours and a campaign is being launched to find neighbourhood champions and lots of volunteers who will be trained by Age UK Torbay.
Jess Slade, participation lead officer at TCDT, explained: “At the heart of Staying Put are local people helping their neighbours remain their neighbours through sharing their skills, time and knowledge, enabling older people to stay in their own homes for as long as they wish to.
“We are looking for volunteers across the Bay who will look out for their neighbours and help with often the smallest of jobs.”
Research by National Lottery Community funded Ageing Well Torbay has shown that many people would prefer to continue to live in their own homes but find as they get older that they struggle with some of the smaller jobs such as changing a lightbulb, curtain hanging or clearing garden paths.
Some also struggle when their partner dies as they have never learned to cook or in some cases have never been responsible for coordinating their own healthcare.
If you need help or want to give help Staying Put can be contacted via Gill or Mark on 01803 446022 or email stayingput@torbaycdt.org.uk
For more information or to arrange interviews, please call David Gledhill, marketing and communications lead, on 07715 770303 or email: davidgledhill@torbaycdt.org.uk
Bob Jope HEALTHWATCH TORBAY
