Prevention Matters

Lead service provider/commissioner

Name:

Buckinghamshire Council

Type of knowledge

Type of knowledge:

Project evaluation

Type of evaluation:

Outcome evaluation

Prevention service description

Prevention Matters is due to run from 2013 to 2016. One component is that 14 Community Practice Workers (CPW)s, based in seven GP localities in Buckinghamshire are working with individuals who are living independently but facing social difficulties including social isolation, relationship breakdown, financial, environmental and employment difficulties and coping with caring responsibilities. CPWs work with GPs to identify these adults, then assess their needs and skills; identify and encouraging them (through signposting and referral) to engage with activities and opportunities available within their own communities (where possible outside of public service) and access or develop their surrounding support structures. This CPW component has involved £1.46million investment with five voluntary organisations funded to employ these workers. Up to 31 March 2015, 2382 referrals have been received by Prevention Matters. Referrals have increased significantly since the start of 2015 and are now averaging 158 per month.

A second component is that seven Community Links Officers (CLOs) work to provide a bridge between formal health and social care and community activities which are provided by individuals, voluntary organisations and businesses. This is done in order to ensure adults using Prevention Matters services actually have accessible opportunities to get active, connected and involved with their communities which match what they want and are able to do. CLOs work in the community to identify existing physical assets, activities, networks and individuals and also gaps which can be closed by working with others to build community capacity, through relationship building, and promotion of volunteering, and matching and exchanging of skills and abilities. CLOs are employed by the council and have had £1.05 million worth of investment.

Intervention/service type:

Befriending, mentoring and peer support; Information and advice; Low-level support; Community capacity building

Target client group(s):

Older people; Adults with long-term health conditions; Adults with learning disabilities; Adults with mental health problems; Carers; Adults with physical disabilities