Issue - meetings

Kate Galoppi, Head of Commissioning, Social Care and Education, Leicester City Council and Ruth Rigby, Programme Lead, Leicester Ageing Together to give a presentation on a 12-month pilot that is taking place in 2 parts of the City using a community connector model, and utilising Social Value to connect isolated or lonely adults to activities and support within their communities.

Tracie Rees Director of Adult Social Care and Commissioning, Leicester City Council and Ruth Rigby, Programme Lead, Leicester Ageing Together, gave a presentation on a 12-month pilot that is taking place in 2 parts of the City using a community connector model, and utilising Social Value to connect isolated or lonely adults to activities and support within their communities.

Members noted the following:-

·         Loneliness and social isolation were significant risk factors for people’s health and well-being.

·         A lack of family, social or community connections, mean,t people were less able to get support when they needed it.

·         The Adult Social Care services commissioned approximately £90m of services and, through the Social Value Charter launched by the Council in 2018, providers tendering for services were asked to offer social value in their contracts by proving facilities for community groups to have access and support with printing, use of local community rooms and training facilities etc.

·         This pilot work was being delivered by Leicester Ageing Together (LAT) over a one-year period.

·         The pilot aimed to

o   Connect isolated or lonely adults to activities and support within their communities;

o   Test the community connector model;

o   Maximise the social value offered by our contracted providers; and

o   Work in partnership to develop and support community groups and activities in the localities.

·         The pilot was focused in North Evington and Thurncourt Wards and involved:-

o   Dedicated Community Connectors – finding local ‘champions;

o   Asset mapping – Tapping into local networks and partner organisations;

o   Generate community interest engagement using an Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach through:

§  Close Encounters (pop up tea parties) and the Cosy Bus (a winter version of the pop up tea parties)

§  Listening Bench

§  Talking Tables

§  Establishing new groups and activities

·         This work supported the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy by addressing isolation and loneliness and helping people to form strong social connections with their local community.

RESOLVED:-            That officers be thanked for their presentation and the pilot scheme as outlined in the presentation be noted.

Kate Galoppi, Head of Commissioning, Social Care and Education, Leicester City Council and Ruth Rigby, Programme Lead, Leicester Ageing Together to give a presentation on a 12-month pilot that is taking place in 2 parts of the City using a community connector model, and utilising Social Value to connect isolated or lonely adults to activities and support within their communities.