Village Agent Project Outcome Stories:
A Selection from 2015
This project is fully funded and
supported by Hampshire County
Council
2015 was a fantastic year for our Village Agents. The types of enquiries they receive
are so varied and diverse that it can be a real challenge to get the answers that are
needed. Our Village Agents always have the full back up and support of our
Information and Advice team, and of various Hampshire County Council and Age
Concern Hampshire contacts. We have put together just a small selection of outcome stories which really illustrate what an amazing job our volunteers do within
their rural communities.
Social Isolation
Becca in Hythe attended a volunteer fair and met, amongst many others, a volunteer for
the Home Library Service. The volunteer had a client who was due to be completely alone
on Christmas day. Becca was able, with the clients consent, to book her in to have
Christmas lunch at the Age Concern Hampshire Day centre in Dibden, Thanks to Becca the
client did not have to spend Christmas alone and had a wonderful day. This is a fantastic
example of partnership working and how Village Agents can bridge the gap between
services.
Financial Help
Colin in Twyford referred Mr W for an Opal visit in April 2015. Mr W has polio which is
steadily getting worse, and had suffered from some bereavement including the loss of his
wife and sons. Steph from Opal visited him and was able to advise on a number of things
including disability equipment, disability living allowance, adaptations around the home,
and the Community Independence Team. Mr W was also helped to fill in an Attendance
Allowance form and Blue Badge forms. Prior to his contact with Age Concern Hampshire,
Mr W had no idea he would be entitled to any allowances to help him cope with his
disability. Village Agent Colin has kept in touch with Mr W in Twyford and reports that he
is ‘delighted’ with all the help we have given him.
One Village Agent in Overton supported a local resident in her application for the Personal
Independence Payment (PIP). Within 2 weeks of a visit from the Department of Work and
Pensions, they confirmed eligibility for standard rate PIP for both Daily Living and Mobility
components, which they back dated to May from July. Our Village Agent also helped the
client to complete a form to claim additional severe disability premium. This extra money
has made a huge difference to her life. The client said “for the first time since this
happened I may be able to put a little bit by for a rainy day”.
Help and Safety in the Home
Ken in Northney helped a 93 year old find a reputable builder to repair a water damaged
kitchen. She was a lovely person to meet who had volunteered for many years with the local
stroke club. He contacted Trading Standards on her behalf who provided 2 local contacts.
The floor was eventually replaced after some delay, but Ken was able to give moral support
by visiting 3 times and keeping her spirits up.
In Alresford Denise visited an elderly couple (91 and 88) who were housebound and needed
advice on hospital transport, getting prescription requests to the surgery, and house
cleaning. Denise found out the local surgery could help with transport and the prescriptions,
and signposted the couple to Age UK Winchester to help with cleaning at a cost of £10 per
hour, which the couple were very happy with.
In Froyle there was an unexpected power cut which caused problems for some residents.
Madeleine has suggested to those who have mentioned this that they call their energy
supplier to be put onto the Priority Register which means they can get extra help from their
supplier if they are vulnerable. Madeleine also suggested plug in emergency lights for a lady
who had difficulty locating her torch in the dark. Madeleine printed off an example plug from
the John Lewis website, for her to discuss the issue with her family.
Madeleine also thought ahead with the community in mind and asked around some elderly
residents to see if they wanted the Village Hall kept open for them during a planned
electricity outage in part of the village. It was warm in December, and most people had made
other plans for the day, or had gas hobs, or filled Thermos' with hot water for the day and
knew who had gas hobs if they needed hot water. Madeleine had checked that the Village
Hall committee were agreeable, but in the end no-one wanted to go to the hall. However this
is an idea for the future and Madeleine has introduced this possibility of extra help in the
community where needed.
Information Sharing
Denise in Alresford visited a local sheltered housing complex who were having a coffee
morning, and introduced herself to the residents. She found out at the coffee morning that
the residents were not able to get one of the local magazines delivered there due to access
issues to the properties. Denise was able to organise for one willing lady there to take 16
copies of the magazine and distribute this to the residents who wanted a copy. This is a real
breakthrough and much appreciated by the residents.
Health and Wellbeing
Madeleine in Froyle received an enquiry from a resident who needed a reclining chair to keep
her feet up, while awaiting a cardiologist appointment. Madeleine spoke to the Information
and Advice team and gave her the living made easy website (for her daughter), and printed
some pages about footstools. Madeleine followed links on the web to a local Hampshire
County Council approved retailer of reclining chairs, called them to ascertain they had some
in the showroom in Alton, printed some pages from their online catalogue, and passed these
on. The resident went to the showroom with her daughter and was pleased with the help
offered there.
Linda in Ropley was contacted by a client regarding difficulties in dressing due to arthritic
fingers. The client requested information about local dressmakers to produce clothing with
easier openings. Linda carried out some research around the local area and online for both
readymade clothing for those with disabilities and for willing dressmakers. Linda says this
proved an unexpectedly difficult task with most dressmaker’s either engaged in producing
expensive items of clothing or just alterations. However Linda was able to enlist the support
of a local business who specialised in products for the disabled and elderly. The proprietor
suggested that she could visit the client to allow her to try some button hooks at home,
however, the client felt that she would prefer new clothing to be made due to an increase in
size being required. After quite a long search and many dead ends, Linda eventually made
contact with a local dressmaker who also lived in the village. As this lady did not advertise,
Linda’s success to finding her was by contacting her growing number of valuable local
contacts. Linda has been able to connect the client with the willing dressmaker and the
matter is currently in hand. A fantastic outcome for the client, and real dedication and
perseverance shown by Village Agent Linda!
Intergenerational Working
In Burghclere, Lynda and Bob met with the Head Teacher of the local Primary School and
worked together to arrange a tea party in June for the local older residents of Burghclere.
The children had designed, printed and delivered some invitations to elderly local people they
knew. A few of them then served tea to the guests whilst various groups from the different
classes entertained them with songs and recitations. The children thoroughly enjoyed it, and
it was very well received by the guests. After tea Lynda and Bob were invited to speak about
the work of Age Concern Hampshire, focussing on services which were particularly relevant to
the area and how to contact their local Village Agents.
A second tea party in the spring term of 2016 is hoped for as the day was enjoyed by all!