Community support at home

A free home-visiting service to help people over 55 in North stay independent The Community Support at Home project provides support and information to people over 55 living in North Bristol to help them stay independent in their homes and combat social isolation.

Our friendly volunteers are specially trained to visit older people in their own homes, to talk through each person’s individual needs and provide them with tailor-made help and guidance. We cover , Horfield, , , , and Lawrence Weston. “Immediately after my husband passed away I was feeling lost. This project helped me towards getting back on my feet.” What we offer

Help with managing your money We can help with budgeting, cutting down household costs and sourcing better energy deals.

Help completing Attendance Allowance Forms Over 65? Living with a disability? You may be entitled to claim Attendance Allowance. We can help you complete these forms to give you the best chance of success.

Benefits and debt advice North Bristol Advice Centre have specialist advice workers that can check if you are claiming the correct benefits or help with debt, bills or financial worries.

Signposting to services and social activities We can provide information on local services – from community transport to home adaptation agencies – and social activities of interest in your area. Our volunteer can accompany you on your first outing too!

Support you can trust All our volunteers have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and have completed a full training course. Your home visitor will call you to introduce themselves and to arrange the home visit – and they will always carry an ID card. We provide a range of social activities, trips and events for older people in Lockleaze and Horfield each month, including: Computer course Our 8 week basic skills IT course runs regularly in Lockleaze. The course covers using the mouse and keyboard, Word, browsing the internet, email and money saving websites.

Monthly Tea and Talks These are held in Lockleaze or Horfield and feature a guest speaker or activity as well as time for a chat, cup of tea and cake. Tea and talks are held on a weekday afternoon between 2pm and 4pm.

Monthly trips Each month we visit a different place of interest. Older people are welcome to suggest places they would like to visit.

Shopping club We run a fortnightly supermarket trip on Fridays, with pick up points in Lockleaze and Horfield. There’s time to shop and have a cuppa in the café. How to access this service Referrals can be made by a social or health worker, community nurse, family member – or you could just give us a call yourself! Call Janie on 0117 951 5751 Email [email protected] Complete a referral form at www.northbristoladvice.org.uk

“It’s been interesting and friendly, bringing me out of myself. I feel more confident and it’s nice to have somebody to talk to.” Could you be a Community Support Volunteer? We welcome friendly, patient people as volunteers on the project – it’s extremely rewarding and you’ll receive full training. If you can commit to 3-4 hours each week during weekdays this opportunity could be for you.

Please call Helen on 0117 951 5751 or visit www.northbristoladvice.org.uk

North Bristol Advice Centre 2 Gainsborough Square, Lockleaze, Bristol, BS7 9XA Tel: 0117 951 5751 Fax: 0117 935 5975 www.northbristoladvice.org.uk

Registered Charity No. 1066921 Company Registration No. 3449469 Company Registered in and Wales

Design: Kelly Paterson: [email protected] Printed on FSC certified paper.