This morning I met with the leadership and team at the Community Care Association which provides a range of services for vulnerable people living in Stokesley, Hutton Rudby, Great Broughton and surrounding areas.
The Association plays a leading role supporting local people through its network of over 100 volunteers. It offers a Rural Community Transport scheme (through minibuses and cars), a Sitting scheme (which gives full time carers a break), a Befriending scheme (for people who are alone and housebound), various activities held at the centre (lunch club, tea afternoons, and chairaerobics!).
Beneficiaries can get a lift to a medical appointment, enjoy some company, have some basic jobs around the house taken care off, and even get some gentle exercise. These services are incredibly valuable to over 100 elderly people (and almost 100 carers) who are reached by the Association.
Loneliness is a difficult problem and growing in significance. A study by Independent Age shows that severe loneliness in England blights the lives of almost 2 million men and women over the age of 50. People suffer from both social loneliness (the lack of connection to a wide group of people) and emotional loneliness (missing the companionship of someone in particular). As our society ages and modern medicine means we live longer, more people are likely to be at risk from suffering from loneliness. Loneliness is linked to deteriorating medical health outcomes so it is important we focus on combatting it.
Organisations like the Community Care Association play an important role in providing social interactions for vulnerable people. It was great to see what a difference they are making to the community around them.