1. Gloucestershire Village and Community Agents 30 th June 2011

2. Facts about Gloucestershire Three tier local authority structure 1 Primary Care Trust and 6 district councils Population of 565,000 22% of population is aged 60+ (higher than national average) Largely rural with two principal main towns Hidden pockets of deprivation and poor transport links

3. What is a Village or Community Agent? A person recruited locally who will bridge the gap between community and statutory/voluntary organisations by:  acting as facilitator in the provision of high quality information to older (50+) and vulnerable people  promoting access to services  identifying unmet need within communities  Employed by GRCC part time, working 10 hours per week, equipped with laptops and mobile phones

4. Village & Community Agents The Gloucestershire Village Agents scheme was established in 2006, funded by LinkAge Plus In 2008 the scheme was mainstreamed as a service & Community Agents for the BME communities was launched Joint funded by NHS Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire County Council Managed by Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC)

6. Gateway Village Agents Name Tel No Date Reference Consent to share information Yes No Address: Postcode: Married Single Widow Widower Male Female Ethnicity DOB: Age: Directions to Property: Contact Notes i.e. hard of hearing Live alone? Housing: Own Property Family Owned Private Rental Housing AssociationDistrict Council OVERVIEW FURTHER ACTION: Referring Agency – please return this form after it is actioned with brief outcome to gateways@gloucestershire.gov.uk gateways@gloucestershire.gov.uk AgencyNeedsOutcome Adult Helpdesk Socialcare.enq@gloucesterhire.gov.uk Fire & Rescue Home.safety@glosfire.gov.uk

7. Referrals Year 5: January to March 2011 After each visit a Village or Community Agent makes, they are required to fill in an online referral, or ‘gateway’ form. The form collects demographic data, the nature of the problem, and other information relevant to any follow up visit. The gateway form is then submitted to the required agency by the Village or Community Agent for the query to be addressed. From January to March 2011 a total of 939 gateway forms were submitted by Village and Community Agents. Issues arising included: Referrals to the Gloucestershire Adult and Social Care Helpdesk for social care access and advice Referrals to Age UK for services including Clean Sweep, Advocacy, Benefits Advice Referrals to Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service for a free home safety check or smoke alarms Referrals to the Department for Work and Pensions for Benefit advice and assessments

8. Village Agents additional successes! Library service in Village HallLibrary service in Village Hall Joined Fairshares/Internet Café set up in Village HallJoined Fairshares/Internet Café set up in Village Hall Bus stops reinstatedBus stops reinstated First successful Village Agent Tai’ Chi groupFirst successful Village Agent Tai’ Chi group Involvement with local schoolInvolvement with local school Set up parish Magazine - now editorSet up parish Magazine - now editor And many more…… And many more……

9. You are an amazing lady. Stair rail excellent. I’m running up and down like a goat on speed, how have I managed without it since 1970? Can’t thank you enough………..” “You are an amazing lady. Stair rail excellent. I’m running up and down like a goat on speed, how have I managed without it since 1970? Can’t thank you enough………..” “…..as a Village Agent, it gives me all the job satisfaction I need and a feeling that with that help they can sleep better at night, it gives them peace of mind which in turn works towards improving their health, and as I have experienced, the confidence to get more out of life socially and an improved quality of life in general….” “It’s like peeling back the layers of an onion You solve one problem only to uncover another…..” I would like to thank our Village Agent, who has been very supportive and helpful, my Wife found it a great help talking to her. “Everyone loved meeting you and were so impressed with the service you provide and the friendship you extended. All your contacts and help with various enquiries are already much appreciated and several people are already getting problems solved. And I know the "network" factor will also mean you are reaching a much bigger catchment which is of course how these communities work….”

10. QUESTIONS?

11. Contact Kate Darch, Village & CommunityAgents Scheme Manager, GRCC kated@grcc.org.uk