Western Bay Health and Social Care Programme ISSUE 15 INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Western Bay Social Value Forum
Your Home, Your Health Event
Age Connects NPT’s Foot Care Service
Making the Right Care Choices
WMHD A Carer’s Perspective
www.westernbay.org.uk
NOVEMBER 2018
Spotlight on Social Value Community groups, statutory partners and citizens come together to launch new Western Bay Social Value Forum 20th September saw over 80 members of the community, statutory sector partners and community organisations gather together in Port Talbot’s Aberavon Beach Hotel to pledge their support for the new ‘Western Bay Social Value Forum’. Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO), alongside Neath Port Talbot and Swansea Councils for Voluntary Service coordinated the launch of the forum, which serves to bring people and organisations together to share information and develop ways of working that are truly responsive to the needs of local citizens and people in need. The aim is to collaborate to achieve real positive change in people’s lives, particularly those in need of support. Heidi Bennett, Chief Executive of BAVO said: “We are mindful the term ‘wellbeing’ can mean different things to different people. There’s a need to listen and engage with people in a meaningful way, and this is something we are all committed to doing through the Social Value Forum. Changing what we do, or how we do it can make a big difference to the wellbeing of local citizens, and we need to make sure that we understand the impact and bring about positive changes’. Social Value Forums are now a requirement under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014, through which Welsh Government introduced a duty on local authorities and local health boards to promote the development of social value organisations.
The Welsh Government’s Minister for Children, Older People and Social Care, Huw Irranca-Davies, AM (pictured) said: “I was very pleased to take part in the launch of the Western Bay Social Value Forum, which has an important role to play in supporting social value-based organisations to flourish and develop good practice. It also represents an opportunity for these valuable organisations to play a collective role in the strategic planning and delivery of social care services with statutory partners. I believe passionately in the importance of delivering genuinely co-produced care services. I am also clear community-grown developments can be better for local people and local economies”. For further information, please contact Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations on 01656 814000.
This Newsletter is available in different formats. For more information, please contact 01792 633805 or email western.bay@swansea.gov.uk Mae’r cylchlythyr hwn ar gael yn Gymraeg. Ffoniwch Swyddfa’r Rhaglen ar y rhif uchod i ofyn am gopi.
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Your Home, Your Health Symposium highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing Housing, Health and Social Care services across Western Bay On 5th October, a range of stakeholders from across the Western Bay region gathered at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium for ‘Your Home, Your Health’ - a learning event aimed at those involved in delivering or influencing Housing development and adaptations for citizens. The aim of the day was to enable participants to learn more and help develop the strategic direction required to tackle issues and challenges associated with Housing and Health. A programme of inspiring keynote speakers set the scene and offered detailed insights into the impact of Housing on Health and Social Care. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a selection of interactive workshops intended to promote discussion and allow for the sharing of information and experiences.
Prof. Andrew Davies, Chairman of ABMU Health Board (pictured above) hosted the event. He said: “This was a valuable session that gave delegates a real insight into the links between poor housing and poor health, and the importance of effective joint-working to achieve better outcomes for our population. The event comprised a varied agenda, and we were pleased to welcome several knowledgeable speakers who outlined the benefits and evidence base for meaningful collaborative working.” The contributions of those who attended will inform an action plan which is currently under development and will be implemented by a Housing Sub Group of the Western Bay Regional Partnership Board.
Attendees also took to social media to share their thoughts on the day. Search the Twitter hashtag #yourhomeyourhealth to see more…
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Best Foot Forward
Integrated Care Fund investment helps extend foot care service to more older people across Neath Port Talbot Age Connects Neath Port Talbot is delighted to have been awarded an Integrated Care Fund (ICF) grant in order to pilot a Non-Surgical Foot Care Service for local people aged 50 and over. The funding will offer older people the opportunity to benefit from an accessible and affordable foot care service, while helping to meet the growing demand from an ageing population who are finding it increasingly difficult to manage their own foot care. As well as the existing nail cutting provision, additional services include treatment of ingrowing or thickened toenails, removal of hard skin, reduction of corns or calluses and cracked heel treatment. The extra investment will provide a more robust Foot Care Service to more people who need it, and will have a direct impact on reducing falls and helping people to remain as active and independent as possible. With a number of community based clinics operating across the Neath Port Talbot area, a home visiting service and visits to independent living schemes, sheltered accommodation, care homes and hospitals, the initiative ensures that older people have access to suitable services at a place and time that is convenient for them.
“The service I’ve received has been marvellous – it’s on my doorstep, affordable and first class”
The Foot Care team are also experienced in helping to recognise additional support needs such as loneliness and isolation, and will signpost to appropriate services offered internally and/or by partner organisations. Staff are embedded in the local community and have built up extensive trust and rapport with service users over the past twenty years. As a result, they are often the first port of call for those who require support with sensitive matters such as financial deprivation, care, planning for the future, legal issues and social isolation. For more information on the Foot Care service, or any other aspect of Age Connects Neath Port Talbot’s work, please contact:
Service User
Telephone: 01639 617333 Email: info@acnpt.org.uk Website: www.acnpt.org.uk
Making the Right ‘Care Choices’ Getting the right information and advice is the first step to getting the right care and support. The Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea Care and Support Services Directory 2018/19 offers a comprehensive guide to choosing and paying for care services. It features a long list of residential and home care providers, specialist services and useful contacts to help adults with care are support needs to make choices that are right for them. The directory has been compiled by Care Choices (www.carechoices.co.uk) with input from Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), Bridgend County Borough Council, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Swansea Council. If you require a hard copy of the directory, please contact the Western Bay Programme Office via email at western.bay@swansea.gov.uk, or telephone 01792 633805.
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“Being a Carer can be a positive experience, but it can also be challenging and exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Carers may find they have little time to look after their own needs, which can impact on their health and wellbeing”
Hilary Dover Western Bay Carers Partnership Board Chair
World Mental Health Day - A Carer’s Perspective With one in four of people experiencing a mental health issue in any given year, it is inevitable that everyone will know someone affected by mental illness. On 10th October this year, Western Bay Carers Partnership Board were keen to mark World Mental Health Day by highlighting the impact of mental health on Carers. Hilary Dover is ABMU Health Board’s Director of Primary and Community Services and Chair of the Carers Partnership Board. She said: “We want to raise awareness of the local assistance and support available to unpaid Carers who support a family member or friend who experiences mental health issues. Being a Carer can be a positive experience, but it can also be challenging and exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Carers may find they have little time to look after their own needs, which can impact on their health and wellbeing”. Local Carers Centres or Carers Services are there for anyone in need of support with their caring role. They will either offer direct assistance or point Carers in the direction of someone who can help.
Local Authority Social Services departments are also able to provide advice and assistance, including information on Carers Assessments. To find out about support for Carers in the Bridgend County Borough Council area, please contact: Bridgend Carers Centre www.bridgendcarers.co.uk Tel: (01656) 658479 Bridgend County Borough Council Tel: (01656) 642279 To find out about support for Carers in the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council area, please contact: Neath Port Talbot Carers Service www.nptcarers.org.uk Tel: (01639) 642277 Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Tel: (01639) 686802 To find out about support for Carers in the Swansea Council area, please contact: Swansea Carers Centre www.swanseacarerscentre.org.uk Tel: (01792) 653344 Swansea Council Tel: (01792) 636519
Coming Up… National Safeguarding Week (12 - 16 November 2018) Safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. It is fundamental to highquality health and social care In Western Bay, colleagues involved in safeguarding have spent the last few months busily preparing for National Safeguarding Week, which takes place between 12th 16th November 2018. A varied programme of activities has been devised with the aim of raising awareness of the safeguarding agenda and, more specifically, the theme of ‘exploitation’. A learning event aimed at practitioners across the whole region will take place on Monday 12th November in Swansea’s Liberty Stadium, which will highlight topics such as County Lines, Radicalisation, Coercive Control and Modern Slavery. A copy of the programme can be found at www.wbsb.co.uk For more information on the event, or other activities planned as part of National Safeguarding Week, please contact the Western Bay Safeguarding Board’s Business Management Unit via email at wbsb@npt.gov.uk If you have any comments or queries about the items featured in our Newsletter, please email western.bay@swansea.gov.uk or telephone the Western Bay Programme Office on 01792 633805