Round 4 of our Small Funds project focuses on the fostering of relationships.
We are proud to announce that three new projects will begin as a result of this funding:
Aireborough Voluntary Services to the Elderly with Disabilities (AVSED)
This project will employ an ‘Asset Based Community Development Facilitator’ initially on a 6-month basis to create new, and build on existing, relationships across 9 local extra care and sheltered housing complexes. The Facilitator will identify Community Connectors within these complexes and support them in the creation of in-house activities which relieve social isolation and loneliness.
We know that people who live in residential care are at particular risk of social isolation, so this project will be an important step in addressing that risk.
Rothwell & District Live at Home
Rothwell & District LAH (a local neighbourhood network scheme) will set up a team of 5-6 volunteer befrienders to work with 25 older people over a 12-month period. Participants will be over 60 years of age, living in the Rothwell and district area and be experiencing social isolation and barriers to social inclusion. Rothwell will train and support befrienders to provide support of up to 10 visits to achieve agreed goals which promote independence, social inclusion and formation of meaningful relationships.
This project builds on the “Your Warehouse” project that was funded through Round 2 of Small Funds, addressing the needs of socially isolated men. The beneficiaries of this project will be over 50s men and women who will engage in new relationships with shop staff, shop volunteers and other Time to Shine beneficiaries in a nurturing positive environment where each can make a contribution. St Luke’s CARES will treat this project as a piece of active research as they approach the project flexibly, recording their learning reporting on it.