AGENDA ITEM NO. 8(2)

HEALTH, SOCIAL CARE AND WELL BEING SCRUTINY COMMITTEE - 12TH FEBRUARY 2008

SUBJECT: AND RISCA SOCIAL CLUBS FOR ADULTS WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY

REPORT BY: DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES

1. PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1 The purpose of the report is to provide information regarding the Rhymney and Risca Social Clubs.

2. SUMMARY

2.1 The Risca Social Club was established in July 2002 and meets in the Lyne Road Centre Risca. The Volunteer Befriending Scheme Manager initiated the setting up of the club as another way of providing an opportunity for adults with a learning disability to meet socially in the evenings.

2.2 Rhymney Social Club began meeting in 2004 and is held in the Ael-y-Bryn Community Centre, Rhymney.

2.3 The running of each club is overseen by a Management Committee. Membership of both Committees consist of adults with a learning disability and volunteers.

3. LINKS TO STRATEGY

3.2 Fulfilling The Promises (June 2001)

3.2.1 The report established by the All Advisory Group with a learning disability and accepted by WAG as the vision for learning disability services for the next ten years states:

‘The chance to work or do other normal activities is a very reasonable expectation and should be available to all adults with a learning disability. It is important to maximise individual potential and this can be helped by appropriate support which seeks to support the development of skills in every service user’.

3.2.2 Fulfilling the Promises sets out a whole series of service principles that authorities should strive to achieve – in relation to social and leisure activities it states:

‘Supporting people to participate in leisure and community activities and to form personal relationships is an important as supporting other aspects of their lives’.

3.3 Social Care Plan sets out the Adult Services Key targets:-

3.3.1 ‘To promote and provide the opportunity for adults requiring Social Care Support to live as full, active and independent a life as they are able, within their chosen communities.’

1 3.3.2 Key strategic goals identified, and also specified within the Directorate Improvement Plan include: -

• Promote social inclusion, diversity and quality of opportunity

4. THE REPORT

4.1.1 The Risca Social Club, which meets on Friday evenings, is located in the town centre and also has access to the adjoining sports hall. There is an average attendance of 30 and members enjoy a variety of sporting and leisure activities that include table tennis, pool, curling, football, badminton, table top games, Karaoke, Summer Barbecues and Day Trips and a Christmas Party. A total of 7 volunteers support people at the Social Club with several members who require additional support being accompanied by their own support worker.

4.1.2 The Rhymney Club is smaller than it’s counterpart in Risca with an average weekly attendance of 12 people. Activities at the group include Darts, Pool, table top games, music, a Christmas party and football in the warmer weather which is played on a nearby sports field. The Club meets every Wednesday evening and is well supported by a total number of 12 volunteers. Although Ael-y-Bryn is not able to provide as much space for the group to meet as the Risca Group, the building is DDA compliant, accommodates the Club’s own lockable cabinets and use of the general office is also made available. The numbers of volunteers and the fact that the caretaker for Ael-y-Bryn also became a volunteer demonstrates how the Club has successfully integrated into the community.

4.1.3 The members who attend the Rhymney and Risca Social Clubs are encouraged to have a say in the running of the Clubs. The provision of sporting activities was introduced in recognition that some of the members of the clubs do not have the confidence or support needed to access the facilities provided by the Directorate of Leisure. However, if members have the opportunity to access alternative inclusive activities they are encouraged to do so as it is not the intention of the clubs to create a dependency or be a substitute for other meaningful activities.

4.1.4 The Volunteer Befriending Scheme Manager recruits volunteers for both Clubs, the Recruitment process includes the provision of satisfactory References, CRB, and Health Checks and ongoing support and training.

4.1.5 Initial funding was provided by Social Services to enable the Risca Club to purchase equipment and become established but the club has been self financing since April 2003. The club has had some success with obtaining funding via Sportlot for sports equipment but relies upon memberships fees and profits made from the sale of refreshments to pay for the rent for the use of the building. Some members make their way independently to the Club but others access transport provided by Phoenix Community Transport. Two volunteers have also been trained to act as Escorts if required.

4.1.6 Rhymney Social Club because of it’s location in a Communities First area, has been fortunate in that is has been able to access funding some of which was previously used to pay for the rent at Ael-y-Bryn. Rhymney Social Club is also self funding depending upon membership fees and profits made from the sale of refreshments to pay for the rent of Ael-y-Bryn. Transport is provided via the Runner that is owned by the Council and administered by Phoenix Community Transport.

4.2 Key areas for development

4.2.1 The success to date and the commitment of the members and Committees of the Rhymney and Risca Social Clubs are firm foundations upon which to further develop both groups. The current areas for improvement for the Social Clubs provides a framework to consider how both clubs could be further developed. 2 The key issues being addressed are:

• Sustainable funding • Recruitment of additional Volunteers for the Risca Social Club

4.2.2 Both Clubs are currently able to meet rental fees, transport costs and the purchasing of refreshment items as stated in 2.6.

4.2.3 The Risca Social Club Management Committee prides itself on the fact that they do not want to be perceived as a Charity believing themselves to be a club that supports its members to enjoy and participate in sports and social activities. However, as a constituted voluntary group with objectives/aims the Club holds the status of a charitable organisation.

4.3 Considerations for future development

4.3.1 A future goal of the management committee of the Risca Social Club is to develop a partnership with the Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Leisure Services with the aim to establish a worker to support Club members to access their local leisure centres and try different inclusive activities. The Rhymney Social Club also wishes to develop the range of activities and opportunities for more inclusive leisure activities. The management committee will progress this with support from the Volunteer manager as required.

4.3.2 The Volunteer Scheme manager will continue the recruitment of volunteers and the provision of practical advice and other organisational support.

4.3.3 Social Services and Leisure are currently working in partnership with Drive, a voluntary organisation to develop a supported leisure scheme in the borough of Caerphilly. Discussions will be held with Drive to identify the feasibility of their involvement in the development of the Social Clubs

5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

5.1 There are no financial implications.

6. PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS

6.1 The Volunteer scheme manager will continue to support the scheme in recruiting volunteers and offering advice as appropriate

7. CONSULTATIONS

7.1 Lawrence Davies, Volunteer Scheme Manager 7.2 Andrew Parr, Committee member Caerphilly County Social Club Risca

8. RECOMMENDATIONS

8.1 That members note the contents of this report.

3 9. REASONS FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS

9.1 The recommendations are to provide members with information regarding the Rhymney and Risca Social Clubs and to advise of what practical support could be provided by Social Services in their development.

10. STATUTORY POWER

Author: Lynda Williams: Team manager. [email protected] Consultees: Adult services DMT

Background Papers Fulfilling The Promises (June 2001) ‘ A Life in a Day’

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