Introduction Age Concern Torfaen venues at Widdershins and Broad Street are essential to local communities, and have been at the heart of Torfaen for 23 years. For many older people the Widdershins Centre is the place to be, a buzzing environment of activities and opportunities. Over the years, many thousands of people have found new confidence and support, along with companionship, laughter, new interests and for many, a life changing experience. Age Concern Torfaen cares about people, going that extra mile to meet the challenges people face. People may not be sure where to turn when faced with bereavement or redundancy, worried about finances or simply Not able to cope with life. At Age Concern Torfaen, they will find practical help, professional advice, opportunities, and a dependable service to support them. Age Concern Torfaen is the Charity to turn to for practical information, professional guidance. People come to develop new skills, discover new opportunities or simply to meet friends. Our floating support service will help those who are too frail or infirm to visit our venues. At Widdershins and Abersychan, older people come to: have tea and cake obtain advice (from care homes, travel to claiming benefits) learn to use a computer have a laugh amongst friends dance have a manicure sing their heart out
development of their roles, resulting in an effective and responsive workforce. During the year we employed 41staff (including full and part time) and increased our Volunteer base by 15 people. You learn something new every day... Young people are also important to us and we value our partnerships with training providers, local colleges and schools. Age Concern Torfaen continues to provide work experience and work learning for the 16 - 19 age group. Our intergenerational work is enhanced by bringing younger and older people together to share life experiences and knowledge. Trainees 16 Trainees have accessed training placements during the year, sourced from: Torfaen Training Talk Training Learnabout Training Coleg Gwent Training Undertaken NVQ 13 week Preparation Health & Social Care - Level 1 Customer Service - 1 Business - Level 2 Work Experience in catering, care, administration and
customer service. Staff Training Age Concern Torfaen continually provides appropriate training, to enable its staff to deliver services to the best of their abilities. Specialist courses attended by staff: Level 2 Food Safety (QCA Accredited) Sustainability Planning Advantage products – Stannah Stairlifts & Golden Charter Making the most of your money Gwent Frailty Awareness ITC Compliance – Financial Standards Authority Supporting People Outcomes Framework Charity Log – Scheduling & Invoicing Mentoring & Befriending Foundation Quality Mark & Approved Provider Standards Protection of Vulnerable Adults – Awareness, Levels 2 & 3 Self Harm Driving Awareness Alternative Office – Pension Service Management & Leadership Skills Memory & Reminiscence Therapy Results Based Accountability Equality Act Emergency First Aid at work End of Life Care Training provided in-house Dementia & Basic Activities Team Building Sensory Awareness Data Protection Induction Health & Safety Charity Log Personal Safety We invested a total of £7539 in training for our staff and volunteers
Volunteering Time is precious… to you… to us… and to Older People Volunteers give us a gift of time to make life better for Older People in Torfaen The time donated by our volunteers totalled 3989 hours, which is equivalent to spending £24,253 Our volunteers tell us that the main reasons they volunteer is for the company and the chance to help others by doing something useful. Volunteers enhance and add to our work We recognise the contribution they make. Whether a trustee or a kitchen helper, we provide the support and training necessary to carry out their role. Activities and Services Age Concern Torfaen believe engagement in activities is essential to the maintenance of physical and psychological health and well-being. Keeping the body and brain active is therefore vitally important. Our service offers opportunities for older people to enjoy social activities each week from Information Technology, Craft and Exercise to Nordic Walking. All our activities are delivered by trained, enthusiastic, energetic staff. Ranging from beginners exercise classes to therapeutic sessions for people with
Our Information & Advice Service responded by inviting the lady and her family to attend an appointment at a suitable community venue. A benefit assessment was provided: Outcome: Maximisation of income: Pension Credit Housing Benefit. Bereavement Payment Pension application – change to circumstances Winter Fuel Allowance Attendance allowance opportunity identified Successfully gained Resulting in £9128.92 gained over twelve month period Our Floating Support Service also assisted, helping to deal with issues of bereavement, low self esteem and confidence, whilst promoting future independence, management and maintenance of the home. Floating Support Outcome: Building of confidence, self esteem and trust through regular contact Access to social opportunities within local communities Accompany to G.P. – medication review Adaptations to property Introduction Handyperson Service & Home Services (cleaning) to maintain home Increased finance able to pay for accessible transport An introduction to our Befriending Service was also provided, allowing the lady to access a continued social network, thus maintaining independence and reducing loneliness each week. The client now feels much more confident to live alone independently. She has an awareness of how to access services, attends various social opportunities, and has rekindled old and made new friendships. “At the time when we contacted Age Concern Torfaen, I did not know there was so much help for me; I did not know what I was going to do, or how I was going to manage without my husband. I did not know how I was going to pay for my husband’s funeral or manage on my pension.”
have accessed hubs, along with participating in organised activities. Your Voice The Vulnerable Adults Advocacy Service in Torfaen provides focused support to vulnerable older people who are at risk of, or are experiencing abuse or neglect. Advocacy can be provided to those already involved in the Protection of Vulnerable Adults process. We will represent people with or without capacity, providing both instructed and non-instructed advocacy. Sometimes people have difficulty in communicating their needs for whatever reason. Advocacy is there for people, who are being ignored, excluded, unfairly treated, or are not receiving the sort of help they think they need. Age Concern Torfaen is a partner of the South East Wales Safeguarding, a project providing independent advocacy services. The project operates across nine local authorities and three local health board areas in South East Wales, funded by the BIG Lottery Advantage Programme. Age Concern Torfaen supports three independent Older Persons Forums to ensure voices are heard on issues that matter. Influencing planning and provision of services locally, regionally and nationally, as well as providing a mechanism for consultation to the wider communities of Torfaen. 992 people attended the Older Persons Forums. We consulted on a variety of subjects, including Welfare reform, Bronafon Social Housing changes and Health issues. Facts & Figures Here is a snapshot of our achievements for the past year. Welfare benefits We helped older people to maximise their income to a total of £1,362,298.56
Handyperson We completed 2421 jobs for clients within the period. Healthy Lifestyle We provided day activity sessions to 1803 people (10% increase). Clients contracted by Torfaen Social Services accounted for 57% of the total, whilst 43% were private contracts, showing a steady growth in this area. However, (non attendance due to sickness, holidays and weather) accounted for 14% in lost income. 26% of clients are male 74% clients are female More than half of new referrals came from the Mental Health Team, Torfaen Social Services, resulting in an increase in referrals for older people with early/newly diagnosed dementia. Low Level Nail Cutting Our service provided 720 nail cutting sessions to people at Widdershins and at community outreach venues across Torfaen. Information & Advice Our service dealt with 9108 general enquiries Clubs and classes All our classes offer a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and an opportunity for social interaction. They are run by qualified tutors with additional support from enthusiastic volunteers. Our most recent class – Line Dancing – started at the end of September 2011, has grown in popularity, attracting an average of 18 people per week (415 people in the period). Other classes include: Information Technology (I.T.) Sewing & Craft Extend Exercise & Nordic Walking Tai Chi The total number of attendances for clubs & classes during the year was 3642 (20% increase on previous year). Extend Exercise and I.T continues to prove most popular. advant~AGE Every day we face challenges to raise unrestricted income in order to sustain the future of Age Concern Torfaen. In 2011, we developed a new partnership with advant~AGE. By selling products and services we are able to generate income to support and develop new or