Care Schemes
As communities change some people can feel that they have been left isolated within their own community. The on-going decline of rural and urban amenities and services exacerbates such problems. Care Schemes can help to lessen the distressing effects of some of these changes, providing a safety net to young and old alike.What is a Care Scheme?
- Care Schemes are essentially good neighbour schemes that provide easy access to help and support for every resident living in the community, should they need it.
- Acting as a safety net for everyone in a town or village, care schemes offer a friendly, local service, responding to calls for help from any member of the community, regardless of age.
- Having access to the services of a care scheme, can help extend the length of time some people are able to remain living independently in their own homes.
- Care schemes can help to lessen the impact on a community caused by the decline in services and facilities such as public transport, shops, Post Offices, doctor’s surgeries and pubs.
- They can also help to reduce feelings of isolation and exclusion experienced by some individuals if families and friends move away in the search for employment, education or affordable housing.
- Some Care Schemes offer extra services such as the Link Up Scheme and the Home Fire Safety Check Scheme.
Care Schemes; How do they work?
- A small group of volunteers form a co-ordinating committee to oversee the running of the scheme. A larger group of people volunteer the skills and time they are willing to offer, and a register of volunteers is then drawn up.
- The scheme purchases a mobile phone, which serves as the main contact point for anyone seeking help or advice. A duty officer answers the call and consults the register to find an appropriate volunteer. They then arrange for the help to be provided.
- Organisers can also act as a link to other sources of help, offering information and guidance where necessary.
- The help provided is free (except where real costs such as petrol or parking fees are incurred) but people may make donations if they wish.
- The kind of help that might be offered ranges from:
- domestic support such as shopping, cooking , dog walking or befriending
- transport to visit relatives or for leisure purposes if normal transport is not accessible, lifts to appointments at the doctor or hospital, or to facilities such as day centres and lunch clubs
- household assistance including form filling, letter writing, minor repairs and maintenance
- collection of pensions and prescriptions
- practical assistance with minor household repairs such as changing a light bulb or taking rubbish to the tip
What support is given to schemes?
BRCC has a dedicated Field Officer, Justine Hunt, who is able to encourage and support the development of schemes and offer information and guidance when needed. Start up grants are available for all new schemes to help with the initial costs such as mobile phone purchase, and contribution towards insurance cover etc.Volunteers can attend care scheme network meetings that offer a chance to share experiences and good ideas. Speakers are often invited.
Where are the Care Schemes in Bedfordshire?
Click here to see a list of and find out more about existing Village Care Schemes in Bedfordshire.If you think that your community would benefit from having its own scheme just let us know. Even if your community already has a group who offer similar services perhaps you would like to expand and join the ever growing network of schemes supported by BRCC and Bedfordshire County Council For further information on care schemes, email Justine Hunt or phone her on 01767 626467.
Care Schemes are an initiative of BRCC working in partnership with Bedfordshire County Council.
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