Local area co-ordinator for older people

Local Area Co-ordinators have a strong understanding of the challenges faced by older people and their carers.

They are committed to enhancing the lives of older people and support capacity building at an individual, family and community level. Local area co-ordinators identify, connect, develop and lead strong partnership working with local communities, fostering links with voluntary organisations, statutory agencies and other stakeholders to improve connections and develop pathways within local communities. They will support the older person to identify issues that affect their ability to live well and will work with individual to help them access community assets and services that would best meet their needs.

The Local Area Co-ordinator can help to identify suitable local resources and assets and connect the person to their community. The Local Area Co-ordinators will work closely with local communities groups and third sector organisations.

Some Local Area Co-ordination Examples:

• A national older people’s charity run afternoon tea and chat sessions for people aged over 75 years who are at risk of social isolation. Due to an increase in the number of referrals from Local Area Co-ordination in East Dunbartonshire, the organisation worked jointly with the HSCP to establish two new sessions in the West locality of East Dunbartonshire
• A local third sector organisation who provide befriending opportunities for older people in the form of one to one, group or telephone sessions worked closely with the Local Area Co-ordinator to introduce additional group sessions in areas where a higher proportion of befriending needs had been identified
• A new Men’s Shed in the West locality was officially opened in the summer of 2019. It took over a year for a dedicated group of men, alongside a member of the HSCP staff, to establish a formal committee and source a venue within the local area. The venue required significant refurbishment which was undertaken by both the members of the Shed alongside offers of support from local businesses and contractors. The Shed is now a warm, welcoming place for a number of men in the area offering a variety of activities, a chat and peer support.

Read our Social Support for Older People in East Dunbartonshire: Five Year Strategy.

‘Social Support’ can mean different things to different people. People have different amounts of assets such as family, friends, and circles of support but everyone benefits from some kind of social support in their lives. It can mean having friends, family or peer support. It provides opportunities to have others to turn to in times of need or crisis. Social support can enhance one’s quality of life.

Social support can mean being part of a social network which offers companionship but social support can be emotional, offering physical comfort, a listening ear or providing empathy. It can be informational in its delivery, sharing similar issues, giving and sharing information, offering advice. It can also be about shared interests, strengthening your own and others skills, sharing those skills with others, providing mentoring and teaching opportunities to others and opportunities to learn new skills.

There are lots of ways that people can improve their social support opportunities and there are various organisations that can provide you with information and advice.

However, there are ways that individuals can improve their own social support opportunities including:

• Exploring the use of technology
• Follow your interests
• Be pro-active, seek out people or groups
• Get together a group of like-minded people with similar interests
• Improve your own strengths or skills.

If you would like more information about social support opportunities in your local area please watch our short social support for older people video.

You can make a referral to the Local Area Co-ordination for Older People team by contacting Customer Services on 0300 123 4510 or email customerservices@eastdunbarton.gov.uk.