Great news in from the IW NHS, in their own words. Ed
A new team working to provide person-to-person support for individuals and families is already making a difference in areas of the Isle of Wight.
Adam Tucker, Steve Johnson and Rich Lloyd are all Local Area Coordinators, appointed following a rigorous selection process involving up to 20 members of the three communities in which they will work – The Bays, West Wight and Ryde.
Who they’ll help
Their role is to help individuals of all ages with mental health needs and/or disabilities and older people and carers build – and bring about – their vision for a good life.
They will be working within local neighbourhoods and communities, to help people stay connected with the local community and, wherever possible, active citizens. Where formal services are needed, they will support individuals to find and access those services, whilst ensuring the person is able to maintain choice and remain in control of the decisions that affect them.
Building trust
To do this to greatest effect, the Local Area Coordinators work within communities, building trust, getting to know local people and what is going on. They will work with numerous groups, services and organisations including with local GPs, councillors, faith groups, housing officers, voluntary sector groups, shops and businesses.
At the heart of their work is a new ethos that concentrates not just on the problems that a person faces but on the strengths they have and how those strengths can be put to use in their local community. The result is that a person becomes active in a community and – as a result – the community itself also becomes more cohesive and inclusive.
Well-established approach
The Local Area Coordination approach has been developed over 27 years in Western Australia and more recently in areas of the UK including Thurrock in Essex, Derby and Swansea.
There is substantial evidence that shows this approach has not only made a real difference to people’s lives but also has reduced demand and dependence on formal services, preventing ill-health and isolation.
My Life a Full Life
On the Island, it is funded by the IW Council’s Public Health Department through the Better Care Fund.
Part of the My Life a Full Life (MLaFL) Programme, the Local Area Co-ordinators (LACs) will work in harmony with other MLAFL initiatives including the care navigators and community navigators – services provided by Age UK IW and Wight Home Care as part of the Age Friendly Island partnership.
Heather Rowell, Senior Public Health Practitioner and Lead for Local Area Coordination said:
“By supporting people to find local solutions that will improve their lives and enhance their health and wellbeing we can not only support a community that maximises individual potential, but also prevent poorer health outcomes.”
Adam: “Met with such enthusiasm and support”
Adam Tucker, who has begun working in the Freshwater, Yarmouth and Totland area said:
“I have loved going out into the local community and meeting people and having discussions about the kind of support local area coordinators can provide.
“I have been met with such enthusiasm and support from the fantastic people within the community that it gives me great hope for what we can achieve together to build an even stronger, more inclusive neighbourhood.”
Rich Lloyd added:
“I’ve already been truly inspired by the amount of amazing work that’s already happening and finding like-minded people who share a real passion for our coastal towns and the people who live there.”
Steve Johnson said:
“The new role is fantastic and suits me and my values and community principles down to the ground. What I love about local area co-ordination is how it encourages empowerment, supports communities to support themselves and identifies what amazing people with amazing skills are out there.”
Image: (L-R) Steve, Adam and Rich
