THE new services fit into the charity’s central mission to help older people live well in Winchester.
Supporters of St John’s Winchester attended Winchester Cathedral on September 28 to celebrate the launch of two new community support services St John’s Dementia Support and St John’s Homeshare. The expansion aims to broaden the outreach of the charity and help older people outside of the St John’s almshouses.
The dementia service, in partnership with Dementia UK, will support people living with dementia aged over 55 as well as their families and carers. Two specialist Admiral nurses and two dementia advisors will be on hand for one-to-one advice and practical solutions.
Meanwhile, St John’s Homeshare aims to match an older householder who has a spare room with a younger lodger who can dedicate 10 hours a week to helping around the house. In exchange, the younger sharer receives affordable accommodation for a mutually beneficial living arrangement.
Chief executive Clive Cook said: “It’s a great step forward. Historically, we’ve done a lot within the almshouses but every organisation has to innovate outside its four walls. We’re pleased to be increasing the number of people we can impact in a positive way and hopefully be able to show that impact. Going forward we want people to understand what we can do to help.”
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Admiral nurses are dementia nurses who are continually supported by Dementia UK to help people living with dementia as well as provide life-changing support for families affected by all forms of dementia. The service is open for referrals from GP practices St Clements, Friarsgate and St Pauls in addition to self-referrals.
Mr Cook said: “Dementia is something we care passionately about and resources are quite constricted from the NHS. There’s no cure for dementia, but there is care and support.
“We want to provide a wholistic service and wrap our arms around people and asses what would be appropriate support for them.”
Dementia UK CEO, Hilda Hayo, said: “We are delighted that St John’s has launched this important service, and are pleased to welcome Jeni Bell and Anne Evans to the Admiral Nurse team.
“The last few years have placed increasing pressure on local services that support families with dementia. Admiral nurses understand the challenges faced by families living with dementia; they help people with dementia to stay independent for longer and they support the people caring for them so that they have the strength to cope with the bad days and the energy to enjoy the good days.”
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The Homeshare service will cover Winchester and surrounding areas within a 10-mile radius of the city centre. The 10 hours of help can be made up with activities such as shopping, gardening, cleaning or pet care.
The chief executive said: “It’s not personal care, it’s about general support and often companionship. The ten hours could include playing scrabble, cooking a meal together or going to a GP appointment.
“The older person feels a level of security and assurance just by having someone in the home and by interacting with them. It helps relieve social isolation and loneliness which is known to have a serious and lasting negative impact on older people’s wellbeing and quality of life.”
Clive believes that St John’s is the first to launch the Homshare service in Hampshire. The charity has already received interest from a couple of householders and said a double-digit number of matches within the first year would be a significant achievement.
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Winchester MP, Steve Brine, attended and spoke at the launch event. He said: “St John’s is an ancient organisation but it keeps on updating its work with new services that fit the times, and Winchester, perfectly. I love the new initiatives, especially the dementia support in people’s own homes which makes sense on every level and takes all the good things about Moorside out into the community. I wish them every success with what is an even stronger offer now for local people.”
For more go to stjohnswinchester.co.uk/.
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