by Alan Quick

THE Mayor of Crediton has expressed his delight at the benefit a new social action project will have to help older people to stay well, manage their conditions or recover from illness or injury.

Cllr Frank Letch launched Neighbourhood Friends in Crediton, which will offer enhanced support to an identified group of patients aged 75 and over, at high risk of emergency admission to, or delayed discharge from hospital. People are referred to the service by their GP or by a member of a hospital discharge team.

The project will be run locally but is an expansion of Exminster-based community health and care charity, Westbank, which has received national funding to develop the social action project to help reduce pressure on hospital admissions over the winter months.

The charity is looking to recruit a team of 60 volunteers to become Neighbourhood Friends, who will provide support to communities in and around the Crediton area.

Volunteers will help people aged 75 and over to stay well, warm and connected to others in their community.

Westbank’s head of volunteering, Lucy de Garis, said: “We are creating a register of willing neighbours and volunteers who are happy to be called upon when there is a need.

“This is providing a new way for people to offer their help to others who live in their community. In addition it provides the older people, for whom the service is designed, with practical help and support that genuinely comes from the heart.

“Volunteers can get involved in the project at a level which suits their availability.

“Rapid Response Friends will respond when there is a task that needs doing quickly such as picking up emergency food items or feeding a pet while someone is in hospital.

“Welcome Home Friends will be there to settle people back in to their home on their return from hospital, helping with practical tasks and alleviating anxiety.

“Well-being Friends will get involved when more long-term support is needed to help people achieve what they want to achieve – whether that’s helping people with exercises or introducing them to social activities in their community.”

People can offer their support to become a Neighbourhood Friend by contacting the Crediton project team on 01363 774535 or email: [email protected] .

Angie Radford, project development manager, said that the scheme would be of benefit to people from the town and as far as Bow and Spreyton, and volunteers were wanted in all the town’s surrounding rural areas.

She added that the volunteers would be able to signpost as many people as possible to already existing partners.

Mr Letch said: “This project will be incredibly important to those that live in the wider community of Crediton and probably more so for those in our rural areas where buses are being taken away.

“It is nice to feel that we have a group here that will help and support the elderly and vulnerable and that you will be going to approach them to offer help as they are unlikely to ask for it themselves.

“I wish the project all the best for the future and I am sure it will make a great difference.”

The project will operate locally from The Manse at 98 High Street, Crediton.