Adult Services News - July 2006
Can you make a difference?
Wigan Adult Placement Service would love to hear from anyone who has some spare time to support a vulnerable adult from the Wigan and Leigh area. This involves spending some quality time together with someone who for example, may lack the confidence to go out alone.
Graham who uses the Service says: “Having Sylvia as a friend makes me feel better. I am able to see different places and do different things. having someone that I trust with me when I go outside of Wigan makes me feel safe”. His mum comments, “Knowing my son is out enjoying himself on a one to one basis gives us peace of mind. His Carer has become like part of our family”. Graham also feels a part of Sylvia’s family.
Sylvia has been an Adult Placement Carer for seven years and says “being a Carer is a very rewarding experience for me, not because I get expenses, but because every time I go out with my friends I get as much pleasure as they do. Since I first started with the Adult Placement Team I have met many lovely people and their families. My motto is treat each person as you would like to be treated yourself, as someone special. You will reap plenty rewards from the happy times you have together. So, come on, pick up that phone and make an enquiry, you will not regret it”!
The Service offers support to people over the age of 18 who may need support due to age, illness or disability. Wigan Adult Placement Service would love to hear from you telephone 01942 515093 today!
Sue Proudfoot, Team Manager
OASIS coming to Wigan
French group OASIS are in town next week to experience local heritage and culture in England – Wigan style!
OASIS, which stands for Objectif Animation Solidarité Initiative Sociale, come from twin town Angers and are guests of Wigan borough’s Over 50’s Forum.
The forum has arranged a busy programme of activities, including visits to Astley Green Mining Museum, Wigan History Shop and Haigh Hall, and a ‘Lancashire Night’ at Hindley’s Monaco Ballroom.
Wigan Council’s network co-ordinator for older people, Helen Coffey says: “OASIS are old friends of the Over 50s Forum and people on both sides of the Channel are really looking forward to the visit. We’ll be showing them the best of what Wigan has to offer, not just through sightseeing but through meeting people in schools and sheltered housing schemes.”
Two events are open free to members of the public: the ‘Reet Good Do’ Lancashire night with Hot Pot Supper on Tuesday 11th July at Leigh Miners Welfare and the following afternoon’s Tea Dance at the Monaco Ballroom, Hindley. Anybody wanting further details or tickets should contact Gerard Davies on 01942 241972 or Helen Coffey on 01942 404501.
Partnerships for Older People Project (POPP)
The Wigan Partnerships for Older People Project (POPP) recently got a £1.8m kick-start in the form of government funding.
The council’s Department of Adult Services launched POPP with a bang at Wigan Town Hall on Monday 19 June with the help of Leigh MP Andy.
Part of the council’s Enabling Independence During Changing Times agenda, POPP is there to provide support for people aged over 50 that will help them to continue to live independently even though they may be experiencing difficulties.
Projects offered by POPP include:
- Changing Times – This offers a contact and support, information and advice service for older people. It offers help on a range of subjects including health issues and bereavement.
- Counselling Support – This service offers one-to-one and group therapy sessions with a professional counsellor.
- Rapid Intervention Scheme for Carers – Supporting carers in urgent situations, when there has been no time to plan alternative or additional care for older people requiring assistance.
- Holistic Home Assessment – Providing baseline health assessments for older people and safety checks at their homes.
- Support for Older People and Carers from Ethnic Minorities – Aimed at those who may find it difficult to access services due to their language or religion. This service provides a support worker.
- Gardening and Handyperson Home Maintenance Scheme – Staff and volunteers to help with tasks around older people’s homes and gardens along with a Groundwork Gardening and Care and Repair Service.
- Crime Prevention Awareness and Support – A ‘Lock & Stop’ Campaign to provide safety assessments and fit door and window locks. This scheme also aims to raise awareness about bogus callers and distraction burglaries.
- Stepping Out – Promoting physical activity for older people.
- Sheltered Housing Improvements – Providing provision for such things as handrails and ramps in public areas.
Wigan Council Director of Adult Services Bernard Walker explains: “POPP will provide a range of services to help older people to choose where they want to live and remain in control of their own lives.
“The kind of services we are talking about include care, counselling and support through to things like help around the home and in the garden.
“There are crime prevention services that can help stop our older people becoming victims as well as services that promote health and physical activity as a means of keeping your independence.”
Supported Employment Service World of Work course
In September 2005, the Supported Employment Service started a work skills course for people with learning disabilities. The 32 who took part came from Amberswood, Broadmead, The Orchards and Mayfield Day Centres, along with seven more from the Services waiting list.
The course was devised by Mark Glover and Christine Bertenshaw specifically for people with learning disabilities to learn about the different aspects of employment from. Some of these included,
- Why we Work
- Attendance and Punctuality,
- Health and Safety issues,
- Timekeeping,
- Equal Opportunities, and
- Travelling to Work
The course has been ongoing until the end of March 2006, when all 32 graduated with their certificates. Each person worked hard to complete the different sections, and each person gained in confidence, showing their reliability and commitment to finding employment of some kind.
Since the end of the course each person has made a choice about their employment status 1 is employed part time in a factory, 7 others are currently enjoying work experience in a variety of settings, from retail to office work, cleaning to washing up. 4 others have decided that voluntary work is the choice for them as it doesn't affect their benefits at all.
Another 8 have decided that employment is not for them and they are happy to stay with the activities that they enjoy doing; one person has gone to a residential college, but will be looking for employment when he returns to Wigan and the rest are waiting for employment opportunities to come their way. Discussions are already underway with regard to organising another World of Work course.
Anyone who wants to know more about the Course-contact Chris Bertenshaw at Supported Employment Service on 01942 828439.