Living Well North Yorkshire

Lead service provider/commissioner

Name:

North Yorkshire County Council

Type of knowledge

Type of knowledge:

Project description only

Prevention service description

These seeking support and advice from the council were often isolated or lonely, had lost their support network (for example, through bereavement), had lost confidence due to a recent life event, or were in need of face to face information and guidance. The team believed that individuals seeking this type of help could be enabled to live independently and that the escalation of their care and support needs could be delayed or prevented through the provision of supported information and guidance, and/or one to one support. The value of this approach was confirmed by evidence showing that even a small improvement in an individual’s life circumstance can have benefits for their health, independence and wellbeing. The evidence suggested that as people become more engaged with their community, are able to access advice and information, and in turn develop their confidence, their need for long-term support from health and social care services can be delayed, reduced or even prevented entirely.

Living Well Coordinators work with an individual (and their carers) who is at the point where they are likely to need regular and ongoing support from health and social care services. By supporting access to their local community and providing advice, guidance and information it is hoped that individuals will be able to find their own solutions to their health and wellbeing goals, thereby delaying and/or preventing the need for ongoing support from health and social care services. Living Well Coordinators work with individuals on a one to one basis to: Identify goals, priorities and potential sources of support - support simple lifestyle changes and improvements to the home (e.g. advice regarding activity and mobility to reduce fall risks) - identify and help to remove barriers to support that can improve wellbeing (e.g. helping to access a local community group) - through in depth local knowledge, identify useful services and initiatives and enable access to these (e.g. services that are able to install grab rails in order to reduce the risk of a fall, or supporting access to a local friendship group to address feelings of loneliness).

Intervention/service type:

Befriending, mentoring and peer support; Information and advice; Community services; Low-level support; Social prescribing; Self-care

Target client group(s):

Older people; Carers; Vulnerable adults