Towards effective local delivery Empowered communities and individuals

The aim of our presentation To show that Assets can be far more powerful than Deficits To show needs and wants can be compatible Fear of loss autonomy by statutory providers is unfounded To demonstrate that: Resilience Co-production Asset- based – aren’t just ‘buzz-word bingo’ winning lines

This is the journey that led to the formation of North Coast Connection The small village of Tongue The community that lives there and the Reshaping of Community Services

How it all began A review of Day Care Service provision (provided by Social Work at the Kyle Centre, Tongue) during the spring of 2011 identified 5 day care service users Of these people assessed as requiring day care - o 3 people attend for one day per week. o One person attends for two days per week. o One person attends once every two week

High cost service o 3 full time members of staff o Dedicated minibus Poor uptake of service with no new service users within last 12 months The facts behind this o Remote community o Service not meeting needs o Local economy supported by health and social care employment o Difficulty in providing care at home services o Social isolation a reality Issues

Add to that the deficit! Outward migration of younger people Increasing elderly population Difficulty in delivering health and social care services: recruitment and retention of staff Supersparsity Geographic challenges Problems and Gaps

Surely there’s some good news Are there any Assets!!!

There’s a tucked away little building With a rather tired interior

But an amazing view

And a truly amazing community More about the community later

Service user consultation told us more about the service 22 older people, who didn’t have a day care needs assessment, attended the Kyle Centre regularly The service was highly valued and existing service users felt that without it they would quickly become socially isolated, not be able to access the local shops and bank etc That they would be less able to attend the GP, opticians, podiatrist and nurse For some the provision of a cooked meal was of great importance That although the provision of ‘Respite’ might have appeared minimal – this was needed by the carers

Wider community consultation showed Great local concern about the potential loss of services for older people A strong community voice prepared to campaign and petition on behalf of the older people A community with a commitment to be proactive in looking for a solution A sense of value for the service and the building

So next steps Health and Social Care The commitment to look at new ways of delivery and working with the community to achieve this “Effective local delivery requires effective participatory decision-making at local levels. This can only happen by empowering individuals and local communities” The Marmot Review: Fair Society, Healthy Lives (2010)

The community came together Summer 2011: the first village meeting 50 people attended They felt the building was of value to the community and could become a centre for all ages There was a clear understanding of needs and list of wants: Youth Group, Parent and Tots, Carer Support, Gardening Group, etc From this a working group was formed to take on the challenge of a community response

The Working Group Regular meetings to explore opportunities and develop a plan August 2011 the working group met with the Director of Social Work and the Area Manager to share their thoughts and plans The vision was agreed

Community Hub specific support groups healthy eating youth cafe outreach meals & befriending community lunch parent & tots volunteers garden group general community elderly isolated frail young people new parents mental health service users dementia sufferers & carers substance abusers & families transport garden

North Coast Connection was born Following further public consultation North Coast Connection was formed – a volunteer organisation

All continued to drive forward Reports prepared, business plans, submissions to committees for agreement etc Successes Charitable status achieved January 2012 Service Level Agreement jointly developed and signed Budget agreed Asset transfer agreed

April 2012 North Coast Connection opened the Kyle Centre as a Health and Well-being Hub for the local community o Employing 3 local people o Partnering with the local community transport scheme ‘Transport for Tongue’ maintaining accessibility o Partnership working with Crossroads Care ensured that those with an assessed care need were supported and still able to attend the new activities

The first 12 months Successful application to become a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation Staff, volunteer and community learning e.g. Food Hygiene, Digital Inclusion, Reminiscence and life story work Chair-based and Otago exercise provided Parent and Tot Group Youth Café Additional activity: Art Group, Mackay Project Funding & fundraising More people attending core activity 100% increase Increased attendance of those with assessed day care need Removing the restrictions of registration and the ‘Social Care’ stigma made the service accessible and acceptable 24 volunteers providing 1594 hours of support Secured Volunteer Action Funding to develop the volunteers Award winning: Patrick Brooks Award and Saltire Awards Development of Gardening Project

Foresight Project: Asset Approach Building well-being into lives: Connected - with the people around Be active – walk, garden, play Take notice – be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful Keeping learning – do something new, take responsibility, rediscover something old Give – something to other New Economics Foundation (Aked et al., 2008)

Five Actions to Improve Well-being Building in to lives and the community Take notice: recognition of setting Keeping learning: staff, volunteers, attendees and community Connected people: 100% increase in attendance Community activity Give: volunteers, fund raisers and the organisation Active people: gardening, Otago, chair-based

For more info contact Andrea Madden Tel: Mobile: Dr Marion Macdougall Tel: Liz Goudie Tel: