British Red Cross Supporting Independence

Our service, funded by Bedford Borough Council, is available to promote and sustain the independence and confidence of people affected by long term physical health conditions, physical inactivity and social isolation and to help reconnect people to their community. We will support people to access local groups/services and build their social networks to help maintain physical and emotional wellbeing and reduce experience of loneliness/social isolation and reliance on health services. The service is available to adults who are resident in Bedford Borough for an agreed period, dependent on need, but no longer than 12 weeks.

Our service criteria:

The service is available to adults over 18 years of age who are resident in Bedford Borough and are affected by long term physical health conditions, physical inactivity and/or social isolation and may include people with:

• • Learning disabilities
• • Physical disabilities
• • Older adults, particularly those who are frail
• • Long terms conditions (e.g. diabetes, chronic pain, frailty, COPD)
• • Mental health needs
• • Sensory impairment / loss
• • Unpaid carers of the people in the groups above
• • Other traditionally excluded groups

How can we help?

Our volunteers and staff can help with a wide variety of tasks which promote independence and confidence. Support offered will be tailored to the needs of the individual. Tasks may include:

• Regular support calls
• Practical support to re-gain confidence and independence which may include:
o support with shopping
o support with domestic tasks
o arranging transport
o discussing long term independent living and coping strategies

• Emotional support to help manage emotions and empower individuals to make their own choices, maintaining independence and wellbeing
• Signposting people to other services in their communities including Local Area Coordinators, Village Agents and Social Prescribing
• Support to relatives and carers of the client through information, advice and signposting

How to access the service

The service is open for referrals from 9:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday and we can receive referrals by phone, email or letter. We can receive referrals from any source including self-referrals, referrals from family, friends and carers, from health and social care professionals, and organisations in the community.

The service is provided by paid staff and volunteers and the service is available predominately between 9 am to 5pm Monday to Friday. We may be able to offer pre-arranged visits up to 8pm in the evenings and at weekends if we have volunteers available and it is safe to do so.

What happens next?

Following a referral to the service, we will contact the person, their family or carer to arrange a visit where we will explain the service and, if the service is appropriate, agree the support that is required. Each person will receive a support plan, with agreed goals, which are reviewed on a regular basis.