Citywide Connect: locality events Presentation to the Partnership Board 4 th November 2014

1 Engage local service providers across public, private, statutory and third sectors in the Citywide Connect programme –and its focus on reducing social isolation amongst older people Bring front-line staff together to participate in the locality hubs –Identify the key indicators and causes of social isolation/loneliness –Explore ways in which organisations currently support socially isolated/lonely individuals –Gather feedback on resources and information used to access social support –Understand difficulties and challenges when referring or signposting individuals for social support –Gain commitment to pledging actions following discussions and networking activity monitor progress/outcomes in-line with estimated timescales provided –Identify priorities for future development of the programme Objectives

2 Locality event evaluation

3 Headline findings/outcomes 64 organisations/teams across the public, private, statutory and third sector are linked to the hubs –Total of 89 front-line staff participated in locality discussions The hubs were successful in: –Extending understanding of what Citywide Connect is meant to achieve –Stimulating valuable discussions/learning something new –Creating opportunities to make new connections/network with organisations across a diverse range of sectors –Gaining commitment to 100 actions following discussions/networking Fantastic range of people…. I met/saw many I didn't know I felt that being part of this group will result in great work across our City

Sectors and numbers of front-line staff attending hub events: by locality 4

Numbers of organisations/teams linked to the locality hubs – by sector 5

Booked vs attendance: By Locality North/CentralEastWest Booked Attended 6

Locality hubs: outcomes % 7

Action pledges Around 100 actions pledged –More than half involving cross-sector collaboration Actions within sectors often related to new relationships –For example the Neighbourhood Care Scheme pledging to link with the Royal Voluntary Service, and Age UK Brighton & Hove pledging to link with Barford Court around services on offer to people with dementia. New links with the private sector were particularly interesting, especially from teams within the Local Authority. For example both the housing teams and the libraries have pledged to work closer with local pharmacies. The pharmacies were a particularly interesting case, as most of the services engaged with the hubs had not worked with pharmacies previously, but many of them pledged to forge better links and investigate ways of working together. Pledges of joint work including: –The CCG to stimulate a conversation in Woodingdean to bring together the Libraries, GP Surgeries, Patients and Pharmacies. –Time to Talk Befriending to work with Sussex Police, churches and the food partnership –TheJob Centre to work with various voluntary sector schemes residential care homes to provide volunteers. –Langridge Care Home to develop an intergenerational project with local schools to increase inter- generational contact for their residents. It is worth noting that these new relationships are a result of the individuals concerned meeting at the locality hubs. 8

9 Feedback from themed discussions

10 Signs of neglect –Self or property Talking excessively/for long periods hanging onto or craving contact Depression/anxiety/anger Lack/loss of confidence and motivation Becoming withdrawn Through referrals Excessive use of/contact with emergency services/healthcare services People saying they are lonely How do you know when someone is socially isolated? (in order of mention)

11 Social isolation: triggers/causes Number of mentions across all three localities

What do you do to support them? Patchy…ad hoc… what people or staff happen to know Connect to activities (14 mentions) Financial support/ welfare checks (4) Refer to/ provide befriending services (9) Refer to PA Noticeboard/ Direct Payments (3) Refer to specialist support/groups (3) Pastoral support (2) Help accessing equipment (2) Take to/provide day centre services (2) ? ? Connect to activities (14 mentions) Financial support (4) No buddying/ peer support (12) Lack of one-to-one support to establish needs, build trust & confidence - identify barriers (27) Refer to info & advice services (6) Provide volunteering opportunities (3) Help with decluttering (2) What’s in people’s heads Phone someone who might know

13 On-line directories (17): –It’s Local Actually – 1 in North/Central, 3 in the West, 2 in the East –Google – 3 mentions in the West and 3 in North/Central –Information prescriptions - 1 mention in the West, 1 in North/Central and 1 in the East –ESCIS – 1 mention in North/Central –East Sussex One Space – 1 mention in the East; 1 in the West Informal gathering of information (13) –Attending events or networking, word of mouth, collecting leaflets Age UK Brighton & Hove’s information & advice line (5) Access point (3) –Particularly for care homes in the West Churches/faith groups (3) –Particularly in the West Wide range of additional resources (North/Central) –eg newsletters, community noticeboards, ESCIS, Living Well With Dementia (NHS), Shopmobility, RNIB, Learning & Participation Team, local radio, etc Resources or information used 1

Difficulties/challenges - signposting & referral 14

15 What changes would you make? What would help? Who’s doing what? Opportunities to develop strong and sustainable connections/ relationships with frontline staff across sectors Awareness and understanding of support available outside of organisations’ own area of expertise Evidence of outcomes e.g. via case studies – developing trust and confidence to refer Isolation training “Isolation checklist” – what to look out for – signs and triggers How to initiate the conversation/open up dialogue How to identify social needs and barriers to participation How to build trust, confidence, motivation and permission to intervene Clear referral pathways How and who to refer to Simple, straightforward, “admin light” referral process Transparent and clear criteria (areas covered, client groups, waiting times/capacity) Follow-up post referral – confidence to refer again Buddying/peer support to enable isolated/lonely individuals to access and participate in social activities/interventions and widen their social networks

Further engagement with:  the private sector and faith groups  CCG via the Citywide Connect Programme Board Awareness raising activity: –Professionals – opportunity during next locality hub events to:  extend awareness and understanding of social support available, for example via case studies  establish greater connections between services within and across sectors – building awareness of likely outcomes and confidence to refer –Residents – improving visibility and access to information about the range of social support services available.  Citywide Connect Board to look at ways to talk to people about their future needs 16 Recommendations

Working groups to look at referral processes Isolation training once staff have knowledge and confidence in appropriate services/interventions to meet needs identified. One-to-one support – buddying/peer mentoring to facilitate access to social support –make links to Befriending Coalition 16 Recommendations