Reading Council launches pilot to deliver social care

Reading Borough Council is launching a pilot project to evaluate the effectiveness of delivering social care to older people through telephone support.

Over the next two years15 groups will be set up as part of the council’s preventative and early intervention service.

The project is collaboration between the council and Community Network, a teleconferencing charity, who will run the project.

The aim of the initiative is to improve the health, wellbeing and independence of older people.

‘Telephone support and well-being groups are particularly beneficial for those who are less mobile or housebound due to illness, disability, very old age or because they live in a remote location,’ said  Belay Gessesse, project officer for Community Network.

The charity believes that projects of this type have proved very successful in tackling the feelings of isolation and social exclusion experienced by many older people, which can lead to depression and other health problems.

From this month, eight older people in each group will link up for an hour once a week. They will have the opportunity to discuss any problems or can just chat with others in the group.

A facilitator will be responsible for each group. If they feel a member of their group needs specific or specialist help they will contact the relevant service or department. The calls are free to all those taking part.