Agenda item

The Social Isolation Task Group report considered the impact of social isolation and loneliness in Medway. It made a number of recommendations for actions that the Council and other organisations could take to reduce social isolation locally.

The attached progress report summarises progress against each of the review’s recommendations.

Discussion:

This report provided details of a review against each of the Social Isolation Task Group’s recommendations.

The Consultant in Public Health gave an overview on the report highlighting some of the key actions which had been undertaken.

Officers responded to Members’ questions and comments as follows:

Social Prescribing – in response to a question seeking clarity on the commencement of this work, the Consultant in Public Health confirmed that three officers (Link Workers) were now in post to support this initiative, which was focused on the 65+ age group.

Simply Connect – in response to a question asking whether there were alternatives available to the website, the Consultant in Public Health stated that there was a printed directory and a phone line as alternatives to the website.

Voluntary Sector – In response to a question relating to the work of the Voluntary Sector Task Group where, from the evidence the Group had considered, there was a fear that there may be a lack of capacity in the Voluntary Sector to support social prescribing, the Consultant in Public Health agreed that there was some risk in this area. However, other models were being looked at, for example, Bristol, as well as seeking further funding to support social prescribing.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – In response to concerns that older people would have with regards to Coronavirus, and the role of the Consultant in Public Health in dealing with this issue, he confirmed that he was part of the Silver Command Task Group and he shared the concerns about older people becoming even more vulnerable at this time.

Technology to assist older people – In response to a question how technology could assist older people, for example, whether a bus pass could be replaced by a fingerprint, or whether the bus companies trained their drivers to spot people with dementia, the Consultant in Public Health referred to examples around the country but he could look into this with Arriva. The Public Health Projects Officer also provided an update on the role bus companies and their drivers could play in this area.

Engaging with BME Groups – it was requested that a talk be given to the Seniors Group at the Afro-Caribbean Association at the Sunlight Centre. In response to a question regarding the development of work on recommendation 18, the Consultant in Public Health referred to work with the Medway Diversity Forum and that further work was being undertaken on this issue.

Young People – in response to a question regardingwhat plans were in place to deal with young people were encountering social isolation, the Consultant in Public Health stated that a new JSNA was currently being compiled which would identify key priorities. The Public Health Projects Officer also provided some examples which highlighted the need for more work in this area. The Director of Place – Children and Adults Services also highlighted the issue of community care leavers given that social isolation was an issue for them, therefore, a care leavers hub had been opened at the Elaine Centre, which had been positively received. In addition, he also referred the needs of young people with mental health issues as well as referring to the Children and Young People’s Plan and what could be done with social isolation.

Carers – in response to a question as to how carers were being reached out to, the Consultant in Public Health stated that links would be made with Carers FIRST. The Public Health Projects Officer also highlighted work undertaken with young carers.

Recommendations – Updates were sought on recommendations 8, 12, 13 and 14 as follows:

Recommendation 8 - Members could be invited to the training referenced.

Recommendation 12 - the workshops referred to in recommendation 12 were due to take place around the end of May and June/July respectively subject to liaising with Democratic Services

Recommendation 13 – this included a recommendation to refer the report to the Health and Wellbeing Board which was supported.

Recommendation 14 – it was confirmed that the three Link Workers had been in post since March 2020.

Decision:

a)    The Committee noted the progress made against the Task Group recommendations and thanked those Members who sat on the Task Group.

b)    The Committee referred the report to the Health and Wellbeing Board for consideration.