Community&Neighbours

About

To interrupt, and prevent the impact of Social Isolation among the Older Adult Population through positive introductions and connections being made

Story

WHAT IS COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBOURS FACILITATION?
The CAN facilitation model aims to offer a service whereby older adults who are at risk of social isolation or extreme loneliness can be referred by themselves or a member of the community who is concerned about them. The facilitation service aims to encourage greater community connections and more neighbourliness in the target communities. We will endeavour to connect the older adult with neighbours close by, as well as nearby wider community focussed connections, so that the older adult has the maximum opportunity to meet people around them.
WHO IS THE COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBOURS FACILITATION FOR?
Our hope is that it will be for the whole city. Within the community, there are 2 focussed outcomes this project hopes to achieve.
I. Intervention

The facilitation service works with people over 65+ years of age in the North East, South East and the South West of Christchurch(not quite NW), who are referred based upon their experience of:
Isolation & loneliness
Vulnerability/frailty.
Mobility Issues
Recent bereavement, with noticeable struggles.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have a person who is situated outside of this catchment identified.

II. Social Cohesion
It is intended that the beneficiaries will also be the neighbourhoods included in the process of building connections around older adults. Since community connection is shown to be a known indicator of wellbeing, we estimate that this will improve the whole community’s sense of social connection and social cohesion.
WHO CAN MAKE A REFERRAL?CAN welcome referrals through:
1. Self-Referral 2. Family/friends 3. External Agencies(e.g,G.P/nurse, carer, pharmacist, local shop manager)
2. HOW TO MAKE A REFERRAL:
We ask that you simply fill out a CAN Referral Form. These can be found on our website, or contact the CAN Facilitator to have the link sent /filled in for you. Alternatively you can ask your GP or practice nurse to make a referral for you. CAN Referral Form: http://www.hopecentre.net.nz/Can.php
For G.P.s the referral is available through ERMS – Neighbourhood Social Support Referral.
Phone: (03)9674673
FAX: (03) 9749073
If we require any additional information once the referral is made, we will contact you.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE THE REFERRAL IS MADE?
We will confirm that we have received the referral and send the person referred an acknowledgement letter/email or fax as well.
An appointment will be made with the referred person that is carried out by the CAN facilitator in their own home, or at a convenient community location.
The facilitator will aim to build the social inclusiveness via an action plan alongside the referred person. This will be based on the referred persons desires, interests, needs and mobility.
The facilitator will work to connect the older person with their neighbourhood and remain in contact with the person until a regular and meaningful connection has been created for at least six months.
CAN reserve the right not to provide, or Cancel a facilitation process. We will inform you where we are unable to provide a service so that alternative supports can be sought where needed. A three month trial period will apply for each person referred. You must also note that CAN is a complementary community based service only. Therefore any major issues arising will be referred back to the original referral agent or on to appropriate Social Services.