Time for Life

Lead service provider/commissioner

Name:

Devon County Council

Type of knowledge

Type of knowledge:

Project evaluation

Type of evaluation:

Outcome evaluation

Prevention service description

TfL Enablers or community mentors use “healthy living” coaching techniques to work with individuals to identify the kinds of activities or solutions that fit the personal goals they are supported to set for themselves. TfL staff can then provide support ranging from advice and signposting, to accompanying people to places and activities of their choice (e.g. social groups, activity groups (art and craft, writing), exercise classes/walking groups etc) - it will depend on what matches an individual’s needs. There is an emphasis is on supporting individuals to develop the skills and knowledge needed to stay confident and engaged after the service, which is time-limited, has ended. TfL also provide community development services, providing groups and activities across Devon, to ensure that individuals can find activities which are meaningful and enjoyable for them.

Funded by Devon County Council, the service is delivered across Devon (except Torbay and Plymouth) by four corsortium members – Age UK Devon, Age UK Exeter, Upstream and Westbank. TfL was initially commissioned for 2 years in 2008, when Devon reorganised its health and social care services for older people, funded by the Department of Health’s POPP programme (Partnerships for Older People Projects). It is estimated that TfL has engaged with over 3000 individuals and many more secondary beneficiaries (e.g. family, carers).

Intervention/service type:

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

Target client group(s):

Older people