Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
OTLEY ACTION FOR OLDER PEOPLE ANNUAL REPORT 2016/2017
Otley Action for Older People, Suite 2, Bay Horse Court, 2 Boroughgate, Otley, LS21 1SB
Registered Charity Number 1150684 Company Number 8224902 Tel: 01943 463965 Tel: 01943 467106
Website: www.otleyactionforolderpeople.org.uk
Email: [email protected] Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Aims and Objectives as set out in the “Articles of Association”
“The charity is established to relieve the following charitable needs of older people living in Otley, Pool and Arthington:
1) To relieve poverty
2) To preserve and protect good health
3) To advance education; and
4) To promote the social inclusion of such people who are excluded from society because they are house-bound, or who are unable to drive or easily access public transport and to assist them to integrate into society by such means as the trustees deem fit”.
Background
Otley Action for Older People (OAOP) is a long established and successful community-based organisation working on behalf of the older population of Otley, Pool and Arthington. The project was first conceived in 1995 and in 1996 was granted charitable status. (The organisation was originally registered under charity number 1060379). Setting itself the clear objectives as listed in the original constitution. OAOP is open to all people over 60 within the Otley, Pool-in-Wharfedale and Arthington areas. Otley Action for Older People is a member of the Leeds Neighbourhood Network Scheme (NNS) a network of voluntary sector organisations working with defined communities to identify and address local priorities and work in partnership with statutory services to support independent living for older people.
OAOP primarily targets activities and services to the needs of low-income older people, older people with disabilities and those threatened by or experiencing social exclusion. However there is an open door policy and thus activities are open to those aged over 60, except where there are defined criteria.
The organisation is located in the north west of the Leeds Metropolitan District. Otley, Pool and Arthington are set within a rural area and are outside the Leeds Regeneration Area.
There are over 3000 older people living within Otley (that equates to approximately 24% of the population). 8% of these are over 75 and 2% over 85. Among the over 60s, 71% are owner-occupiers, 18% local authority rental and 11% other rental. High proportions are living alone (49% of our membership). OAOP currently has in excess of 950 members registered on the database.
OAOP has four staff members and is supported by over 90 volunteers who are trained and experienced at working with older people. The volunteer workforce engages in a wide range of tasks and activities to ensure that the work of the Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017 organisation is carried out to a high standard. The staff team organises, manages and oversees the volunteers and also provides practical and emotional support. Governance of the organisation is provided by the Board of Directors, which includes local older people (currently 85%) and members of the local community to ensure co-production in the development of services that are provided and decisions made. Consultation and feedback from members is also actively sought at varying intervals and occasions. As an organisation we have a continual improvement philosophy and a desire to increase the quality of services and outcomes available to older people.
Otley Action for Older People (OAOP) provides activities and services for adults over the age of 60. The primary aims are focused around social inclusion and equality. This is enacted by enabling reductions in poverty, increasing active participation and providing person centred support for people to live in their own homes for as long as possible.
Services include home visits, assessments, information and signposting, shopping, lunch clubs, exercise classes, social groups and outings.
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Board of Directors
Sub Social Committee Policy and Resources Committee
Project Manager.- Sue Trainor Qualified Social Worker 30 hours
Senior Memory and Social Inclusion Inclusion Project Worker Worker - Catherine Administration and Sarah McNab Greenwood Support Worker (Full- Time) Qualified Social Worker Julia Babbitt Practice Educator 20 hours 15 hours
Student Social Workers Volunteers x 90
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Board of Directors 2015/2016 Ailsa Bearpark
Gill Chapman
John Eveleigh
Doris Gagen (Chair)
Nigel Gill
Pamela Gill
Frank Jordan
Gerald McGowan (Secretary)
Arthur Parslow (Treasurer)
Margaret Plasting
Company Secretary
Sue Trainor
Members
Pamela Calvert
Timothy Dalby
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Board of Directors
Doris Gerald Arthur
Ailsa Pam Nigel
Margaret John Gill
Frank
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
In 2016 we were sorry to say goodbye to Tim Dalby but hope that he will return in the future, circumstances permitting. Tim still remains a Company Member.
We were very pleased that Frank Jordan and Gill Chapman joined the Board of Directors bringing a range of new skills with them.
Otley Action for Older People – Staff Team
Project Manager Sue Trainor Qualified Social Worker
Senior Social Inclusion Worker Catherine Greenwood Qualified Social Worker
Social Inclusion Worker Sarah Guyers Cert HE Health Studies
Administration and Support Julia Babbitt CIM Professional Diploma Worker in Marketing
Health Impact Worker Nikki Sloper (Resigned January 2017)
Social Work students on placement in 2016/2017
Sandi Halliwell Second Year BA Honours University of Bradford Passed
Lucy Thompson Second Year BA Honours University of Bradford Passed
Lisa Wilson Final year MA Honours University of Bradford Passed
Anjum Shah Second year BA Honours University of Bradford Passed
Cecelia Scully Final year BA Honours University of Bradford Passed
Elizabeth Parr Second Year BA Honours University of Bradford Passed
Laura Firth Binks Second Year BA Honours University of Bradford Passed
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Volunteers
We have an excellent team of registered volunteers ranging in age from 18 – 89! With a wealth of experience from just about every walk of life you can think of, our volunteers demonstrate care and commitment to the older people of Otley, Pool and Arthington as they run a myriad of services for OAOP. There are currently over 90 volunteers registered with Otley Action.
Our volunteers work as:
Directors Lunch club helpers Befrienders Minibus Drivers Minibus Escorts Group and Activity helpers Car Scheme Drivers Leaders and Helpers of Groups such as tai-chi, Zumba, Chair based exercise etc. Admin and office Support Fundraisers Providing support at appointments, such as dentist, doctor, hospital, optician etc. And many other ways to help our members.
Our volunteer workforce is fundamental to the work that we do and without them Otley Action would not be the force that it is. No one, especially the volunteers, should under estimate the value of their work and dedication. Due to their long term commitment Otley Action has grown steadily over the years. As a result we are able to help hundreds of older people to maintain their independence. Thank you!
Anne Anderson, Pauline Anderson, Roy Anderson, Silke Andrew, Christine Attwood, Lucy Atkinson, Christine Attwood, Ailsa Bearpark, John Barker, Anne Balchin, Norman Barr, Krzysztof Bluszcz, Garrie Bolton, Mohamed Bououden, Scott Bradley, John Broadley, Pam Calvert, John Caress, Arifa Chakira, Gill Chapman, Tak Choy Cheong, Denise Choi, Sheila Collins, Bryan Cooper, Raymond Dawes, Ryk Downes, Tim Dalby, Sue Drake, John Egan, Isabel Evans, Mike Evans, Hilary Eveleigh, John Eveleigh, Patricia Farrar, Stephanie Ferguson, June Fiddes, Keith Foster, Georgina Flynn, Doris Gagen, Phil Gardener, Sharon Garrahay, Sylvia Garthwaite, Nigel Gill, Pamela Gill, Terry Gilmartin, Linda Guy, Tony Hemmingway, Elsie Hendry, Ruth Hinchliffe, Samuel Hogston, Trevor Howson, Kath Jones, Frank Jordan, Janet Jordan, Ellen Kehoe, Hemma Kotecha, Sue Lambert, John Lawrence, Jean Leach, Alex Leggat, Audrey Leicester, Jessica Linton, Maggie Lolashvili, Eamon Marren, Patricia Marshall, Ruth Marshall, Andy McCue, Wendy Murphy, Gerald McGowan, Chris O‟Brien, Patricia Overend, Stuart Page, Arthur Parslow, Jackie Parslow, Stephen Parslow, Margaret Plasting, Neil Pointon, John Popplewell, Alan Pratt, Sue Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Raffo, Patricia Riley, Joanna Rowling, Cynthia Salisbury, Andrew Scott, Joanna Sewell, Jake Simpson, Elizabeth Smith, Margaret Smith, Deborah Stewart, Bob Shakespere, Doreen Suttle, Andrew Taylor, Valerie Thackray, Helen Tyson, Anita Walker, Peter Walker, Ann Westgarth, Jennifer Watson, John Windus, Fiona Woodhall, Alison Yarrow.
Otley Action Members In March 2017 we had 971 members registered with Otley Action. There were 693 women and 278 men. Of these members there were 58 women and 40 men registered with Memory Loss. The number of older people living with carers is 144. There were 26 older people from the BME community.
Gender & Age Group of Service Users at Otley Action for Older People
300
250 Under 60's 200 Female Under 60's Male 150 61-69 Female
61-69 Male 100 70-79 Female 50
0 Under Under 61-69 61-69 70-79 70-79 80-89 80-89 90+ 90+ 60's 60's Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Gender of Service Users at Otley Action for Older People with Memory Problems
Under 60's Male 30 Under 60's Female 25 61-69 Male
61-69 Female 20 70-79 Male 15 70-79 Female
10 80-89 Male 80-89 Female 5
0 Under Under 61-69 61-69 70-79 70-79 80-89 80-89 90+ 90+ 60's 60's Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
In the past year the following members have passed away (01/04/2016- 31/03/2017) Geoffrey Perkins, Evelyn Rodham, Norman Phillips, Harold Robinson, William Prest, Hilda Wise, Phil Pears, Vic Heffer, Mr D Pullan, Sid Perrin, Viviene Polley, Maureen Hawley, Arthur Cullingworth, Tony Lyon, Alma Moore, Cecilia Ellen Hennigan, Joyce Dobson, Frank Suttle, Terence Brogan, Ruth Miller, Angela Watterson, Dorothy Wilson, Barbara Ingleson, Alan Wright, Mary Asquith, Leslie Paxton, Barbara Grainger, Alice Ellis, Arthur Hardaker, Brenda Brooke, Jane Beaton, Rose Duncan, Norma Tuley, Gill Simpson, Derek Hawley, Joan Mowlam, Thomas Leadsford, Shirley Goodall, Freda Mason, Mona Hughes, Kay Hoy, Arthur Gill, Catherine Thompson, Ronald Calvert, Olive Hudson, Zhona Heagney, Joan Lennie, Annie Campbell, Rita Hearson, Joan Randall, Dennis Peacock, Shirley Poole, Mr Prendergast, Dorothy Danskin, Jennie Hodge, Dorothy Garnett, Gordon Teal, Tom Waterhouse, Nellie Gymer, Jane Ronan, Dorothy Wrench, Walter Gibson, Jean Gregg, Hannah Topham, Joyce Horsfall, John Cartwright.
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Chairman’s Remarks
Another year has passed and several changes, all good ones have taken place at OAOP during this time. We have obtained a new minibus which means that we can take more people on trips. Our car scheme is working very well and the amount of people we assist has risen considerably. Catherine has returned to work part time and has started a Parent and Toddlers group which the Senior citizens who attend seem to enjoy as well.
We have had a really enthusiastic group of students this year. They have worked on several projects and made home visit and assisted at lunch clubs. Unfortunately they have now all left us and we will have no more until the autumn, at the earliest. We are however still looking for volunteers especially for befriending, this only takes an hour a week and is really helpful to people who are housebound.
There will be further changes when we move to our new premises later in the year. Grateful thanks should be given to Sue, who has taken charge of all the formalities included in this onerous task, but she seems to take it all in her stride.
Of course there is sad news as well We have lost quite a few members this year including some who have been with the organisation for many years including volunteers.
Please accept my apologies for not attending today but I am seeing my latest new grandchild.
May OAOP go on for many more years to come.
Doris Gagen Chair
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Project Manager’s Report
It is twenty years ago since a group of local people got together to discuss the formation of an organisation to support the older people of Otley. They had clearly identified a need and set about establishing what is now Otley Action is for Older People. Otley Action became fully established in 1996 and celebrated its 20th anniversary in July 2016. Three of those founder members still serve on the board of directors today and have done so for the past 20 years. Looking back the past twenty years have seen a great deal of change and development and as the current Project Manager and long term employee of Otley Action I have had the privilege of witnessing most of it over the past 19 years.
So another busy, successful and eventful year for OAOP, but it is always worth remembering that much of our success is due to the enormous public goodwill towards our organisation and the wonderful volunteers who support us. Over the past couple of years our volunteer base has gradually increased and at last count we were just shy of 100 volunteers. This is a remarkable achievement by any standards and the reason why Otley Action can be so ACTIVE. Our volunteers are a very diverse group and come from all walks of life bringing with them a wealth of knowledge, skills and life experience. A handful of volunteers have been with us since the beginning and the majority are long term volunteers with years of service to Otley Action under their belt. The reason that people stay we are told is that volunteers feel that they are making a real positive difference in the lives of the people that they help. We also welcome our more recent volunteer recruits who often join us with a new range of skills and fresh eyes. Working alongside this amazing and diverse group of volunteers is and has been a wonderful experience.
We have continued to deliver and expand our services to meet the needs and requirements of our older people. This requires an adaptable approach especially as we are seeing an ever increasing number of older people with dementia, mental health problems, long term health conditions, and/or physical disabilities. We recognise the challenge that these individuals face and try to ensure that our services and activities are as accessible as possible for them.
The social inclusion project went from strength to strength with Catherine Greenwood returning from maternity leave in August 2016 and Sarah McNab having a vote of confidence from the board with a two year extension to her contract taking her to November 2019 when it will be once again reviewed. .
We were very sad to see our Administration and Support Worker, Fiona Bououden leave for pastures new in April 2016. Fortunately we were able to find a suitable replacement, Julia Babbitt, in the May to ensure that the good work continued.
A number of interesting new developments and initiatives have taken place over the past year as well as the continuation of the tried and tested. Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
We were delighted when we received funding in April 2016 from the Leeds North CCG to fund the Healthy Together project. Nikki Sloper led the project throughout 2016 providing support for older people with long term health conditions, helping people to manage their health better and improving access to health services.
Anjum Shah one of our social work students successfully completed an application for a Mental Health Project supporting older people with low level depression and anxiety. Sarah McNab has been running this project since February 2017 and will continue to do so throughout the coming year.
Our new minibus from the DfT finally arrived in the December of 2016 a Peugeot Boxer which we are now putting to good use.
Whilst we have had another very successful year Otley Action does have a lot to look forward to. We are currently negotiating with the Over 60‟s Welfare Committee to move to their premises in the autumn of 2017. The long term aim is to provide a hub for the older people of the LS21 postcode area which will be a real asset to the town.
Sue Trainor
Project Manager
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Social Inclusion Worker’s Report
My first year at Otley Action for Older People has been amazing both professionally and personally, after the Board of Directors decided to extend my contract for 2 years, and I got married in May 2016! We also rescued another dog this year, but only time will tell if this was an amazing aspect of the year or a regrettable one!
Since starting my post at Otley Action 18 months ago, no two days have been the same. I thoroughly enjoy the fast pace and diverse nature of my role, and how on some days I can clock up 10,000 steps on my fit bit before I‟ve even had my lunch! My main responsibilities are home visits and needs assessments, assisting with benefit claims and form filling, computer lessons, ensuring the smooth running of the weekly groups and monthly trips, writing the tri-annual newsletter, assisting with the co-ordinating of the volunteers, managing the food and food orders for our lunch clubs, the quarterly monitoring for Leeds City Council, overseeing our befriending project and other general administration tasks.
In February 2017 we received funding to run a mental health project, and my responsibilities were extended to manage this project, so I now have two very fancy job titles! Half of the week I am the Social Inclusion Worker, and the other half of the week I am the Mental Health and Well-Being Co-ordinator. My responsibilities for this role include homes visits and needs assessments, running a weekly support group for people with low level stress, anxiety and depression, arranging mental health awareness training for staff and volunteers, creating self-help tools in the form of booklets, leaflets and online tools, and making referrals to appropriate services in cases of severe depression. I recently submitted the interim report for the project which was well received and demonstrated how valuable the project has been to the service users involved, even at this early stage.
This change was perfectly timed with Catherine returning from maternity leave on a part time basis, which means we now share the responsibilities of the social inclusion project. It is great to have Catherine back! There was another exciting development that arose just before the year end for me. I was accepted on to a course with Barnsley College, and I am currently studying towards a Level 5 Leadership in Health and Social Care Diploma. The course lasts between 14 and 18 months, so just 17 or so months to go from now!
In January 2017 Otley Action featured on channel 5 news, highlighting how our services promote social inclusion and aim to prevent loneliness in older people. This was great publicity for our organisation and I was very proud to speak on behalf of all the good work we do here. All the services we run at Otley Action are absolutely vital to our service users. I have lost count of the number of times someone has said to me „I don‟t know what I would do without Otley Action‟ and it makes me immensely proud to be part of such a valuable organisation.
Sarah McNab Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Senior Social Inclusion Worker’s Report
Over the course of the last 7 years I have worked with many lovely people, staff, members, volunteers and students alike. When it was time to finish work to take my maternity leave back in October 2015 I was honestly heartbroken to leave. I returned to work following my maternity leave in October 2016, and I am so happy to be back, it truly feels like I‟ve never been away! I certainly have had my hands full with a new born baby whilst I was away but I really did miss the hustle and bustle of life here at Otley Action. It was a brilliant feeling to come back to work and learn that I had received a promotion to Senior Social Inclusion Worker.
I hit the ground running on my return and took on the role of practice educator for the students on placement with us. Since my return we have had four students on placement. Each one has really excelled during their time here and it has been a pleasure to be their practice educator; they have all passed with flying colours and have been an asset to our organisation.
My responsibilities, in addition to my practice educator role, are managing the new parents, tots and seniors group on a Thursday, writing the tri-annual newsletter, managing the annual holidays, assisting with the volunteer co-ordinating, managing trips and outings, managing the sub-social committee and general office administration tasks. The parents, tots and seniors group has been a great success so far, giving so much joy to the older people in particular. It is a project I am very proud to be involved with.
In addition to this I have also taken on the running of the health project since December. Whilst this has been challenging in regards to the time consuming nature of the work, it has been a fulfilling process to watch it all come together and see how our members have benefitted from the project. I am now in the process of completing the final evaluation and the project will conclude in the new financial year.
The work we do at Otley Action for Older People, with the service we provide to isolated members of the community, the volunteering opportunities and the training we give to social work students, demonstrates what an important part of the Otley community we are. I thoroughly enjoy being part of the team; it is a fantastic organisation to work for.
Catherine Greenwood Senior Social Inclusion Worker
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Otley Action Activities
Regular Services and Activities
Advice and Information Practical Help
Shopping trips Register of members Gardener vetting service Support for individuals & community groups Contractor list Signposting and referrals Care & Repair referrals Newsletter Volunteering
Transport and Mobility Social Care OAOP minibus transport Home visiting Car scheme Assessments Wheelchair and equipment loan Befriending Assistance to appointments Telephone contact Attendance Allowance Financial Queries
Social Activities Health Activities Memory Cafe Exercise classes Bingo, Choir Dance, Tai Chi and Zumba Gold Lunch Clubs Men‟s Health Activity i.e. bowling Monday Group, Quiz Mental Health Project Coffee mornings, trips, outings Healthy Together Project Annual holiday Fish and Chip Delivery Service
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Regular Groups and Activities
Clients Day Activity Venue Time per week (Average) Monday Bingo Downstairs in the 1.30 30 Labour Rooms Monday Monday Social Group Various Locations 10.30/2.00 14 Monday Tai-Chi Wharfedale Court 10am 9 Tuesday Otley Luncheon Club Over 60‟s Welfare Club 12.30 29 Tuesday The Blind Group Cross Green 12.00 8 Wednesday Union Court Coffee Union Court 9.30 12 Morning Wednesday Chair Based Exercise Otley Courthouse 1.45 15 Wednesday Fish and Chip Delivery Otley members 1.00 8 Wednesday Carers Group Otley Courthouse Cafe 1.45 5 Wednesday Pool Luncheon Club Wharfedale Court 12.30 30 Thursday Choir Downstairs in the 11.00 25 Labour Rooms Thursday Otley Lunch Club Otley Methodist Church 12.00 40 Thursday Parents, tots and seniors Over 60‟s Welfare Club 1.30 20 Thursday Tai-chi Otley Methodist Church 2.00 5 Friday Friday Diners Various 2.00 12 Friday Zumba Gold Otley Methodist Church 1.30 20
Otley Action for Older People Monthly Group Schedule (April 2015 - March 2016)
Day Activity Venue Time Clients per session 3rd Monday of *Quiz and Buffet Lunch Over 60‟s Welfare Club 12.30 25 the month 3rd Friday of **Memory Lane Café Over 60‟s Welfare Club 1.30 15 the month
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
What happened in 2016/2017?
Welcome Back Catherine!!!
Our Senior Social Inclusion Worker, Catherine, returned from her maternity leave on the 22nd September 2016 and works Thursdays and Fridays every week. Little Jack is thriving and is a well-known character amongst staff and volunteers.
Wedding Bells
Our Social Inclusion Worker Sarah got married to Graeme McNab in May 2016 at East Riddlesden Hall in Bradford. Sarah and Graeme had a wonderful day and later honeymooned in Mexico.
Grandma Sue
In August 2016 our Project Manager Sue Trainor became a grandma for a second time. Carmen Brocklehurst was born on August the 19th 2016 weighing a healthy 7lbs 4ounces. This is grandchild number two for Sue who is also Grandma to Leo who is now four.
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Otley Action 20th Anniversary Celebration
In July 2016 Otley Action for Older People celebrated their 20th anniversary. A celebratory gathering to mark this milestone was held at the Otley Bridge church. The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Gerry Harper, very kindly presided over the proceedings. Many faces both old and new popped in to wish us „Happy Birthday‟, from current directors, former committee members, volunteers, funders and service users. OAOP took the opportunity to thank all of our wonderful volunteers who have given their time over the years as we could not do the work that we do without their fantastic efforts.
New Minibus
We received our new minibus in November 2016 funded by the Department for Transport. Having a second bus means that we can run more trips and social activities. We have recruited and trained more volunteer drivers to enable us to run dual activities.
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Third Sector Health Grants – Leeds North CCG
Health Impact for All
In 2016 Otley Action acquired funding from the Leeds North CCG to run the Healthy Together project. The aim of the twelve month project was to support older people with long term health conditions, improve access to healthcare services and help people to manage their own health better. The grant funded by the Leeds North CCG was facilitated by Leeds Community Foundation. Nikki Sloper was employed as the Health Impact Networker in April 2016 and managed the project throughout the year. Unfortunately, after a period of absence Nikki resigned from the post in January 2017 and the remaining staff team and student workers undertook the final stage of the project.
Memory and Inclusion Project
The Memory and Inclusion project has been running since August 2010. The aims of the project are to reduce social isolation amongst local older people, improve access to information and support and to improve the quality of life for older people with dementia and their carers. Many factors can lead to social isolation such as poor mobility, financial hardship, poor health, and transport problems. Otley Action for Older People (OAOP) aim to tackle this by offering, escorted transport with our minibus with a tail lift designed for people with disabilities. There are numerous activities throughout the week as well as trips, befriending visits, a dementia café, financial assessments and form filling support. OAOP regularly make referrals to Adult Social Care and Equipment Services.
Social Work Programme
The Project Manager and Senior Social Inclusion Worker are both qualified and registered Social Workers. The Project Manager is qualified to supervise students in the workplace whilst the Senior Social Inclusion Worker holds a level 2 Practice Educator qualification. The role of Practice Educator is to assess and report on Social Work degree students throughout their practical placement. Most students come to OAOP for a period of either 70 or 100 days. The student programme is invaluable as it provides OAOP not only with a financial income but also a wealth of developing talent. Over the past 7 years our fantastic students have supported us to make several successful grant applications, start new groups, run large events such as our Independent Living Events, as well as supporting us to run our weekly lunch clubs and groups. Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Needs Assessments and Home visits
Since April 2016 the Inclusion worker and the 6 social work students on placement have made over 248 home visits both to assess and to review both new and existing service users. This work is greatly supported by our befriending volunteers who have made approximately 988 home visits to their allocated „befriended‟ service users over the past year. The Social Inclusion Worker and students have made 16 new Attendance Allowance applications and two rate amendments which have helped our service users to access over £52,000 of financial support in the last year alone.
Weekly Groups
Every week OAOP run a Monday activities group, Bingo, 2 Tai Chi classes, 3 lunch clubs, carers group, and chair based exercise, choir, Tai Chi, parents, tots and seniors play group, Zumba Gold and a Friday lunch group. OAOP also run a monthly quiz, memory café and various trips throughout the calendar year.
Otley Action Choir
Otley Action for Older People has an exciting new choir group who meet every Thursday morning at Otley Labour Rooms. The choir is led by Thanda Gumede. The choir is a great addition to our social activities programme. Studies have shown that singing relieves anxiety and stress and releases endorphins. Singing has physical benefits because it is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the blood stream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body, even when sitting.
Winter Well-being Service
We all know that winter can be an especially lonely and isolating period due to the cold and inclement weather and darker evenings. In October 2016 OAOP won some funding from Leeds City Council and Leeds Community Foundation to provide extra services throughout the winter until the end of March 2017. This funding meant that we were able to provide a weekly telephone contact scheme for our service users. During the four month period we made an additional 350 telephone calls to offer support, advice and social activities. We also ran weekly shopping trips, supporting 85 people with their shopping and lifting.
Volunteer Car Scheme
Our volunteer car scheme continues to go from strength to strength over the last year, we have seen a 40% increase in car jobs. We currently have 22 car drivers who assist our members taking them to GP appointments, hospital appointments and to supermarkets for shopping. Between April 2016 and March 2017 we have provided car transport to our members on 566 separate occasions.
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Befriending As more and more of our older people are becoming housebound and socially isolated the demand for our befriending service has continued to grow. Befrienders provide a vital service from popping in and having a cup of tea and a chat once a week to taking a housebound older person out shopping. There are currently 19 members receiving regular befriending visits from our volunteers. We are keen to recruit more volunteers as we have 17 older people currently on the waiting list.
Otley Action for Older People / Annual Report 2016/2017
Otley Action Finance – Fundraising and Donations
Leeds City Council – Otley Action for Older People have an eight year contract with Leeds City Council which runs until the 30th September 2018. (£53,470.00)
Leeds City Council– Otley Action for Older People were awarded three lunch club grants to support three separate lunch clubs in Pool and Otley. (£6,651)
Leeds City Council– – Provided additional funding to support older people with dementia and memory loss. (£4,000)
Leeds City Council – MICE money to support the Memory Lane Café (£500)
Leeds Community Foundation – Winter Well-Being grant to support older people throughout December 2016 – March 2017. (£2,495.00)
Leeds North Clinical Commissioning Group – Provided funding for a health project to support older people with long term health conditions (£39,932.00)
Leeds Community Foundation/ the Asda Foundation – Provided funding to support a Mental Health Project for older people with low level anxiety and depression. (£24,600)
Leeds Older People’s Forum – International Day of Older People (£200)
Otley Chamber of Trade – Raised funds from the sale of Otley calendars (£1000)
Zurich Trust – Awarded OAOP a grant to provide training for volunteers (£1,000)
Otley Town Council – Awarded OAOP a grant to organise a Christmas Party for the older residents of the town (£500)
Abbey House Settlement – Provided funding to support the work of OAOP (£500)
Gladman’s Builders – Arranged a duck race to raise funds to support OAOP (£173.11)
Funeral Collections - We received a number of donations from funeral collections from the families of members that passed away within the year. (£1000)
Department for Transport – The DfT provided OAOP with a brands new minibus estimated to be valued at £40,000.
Individual Donations - We also received a substantial number of individual donations from our members as well as their friends and families. We also received donations from members of the community who wanted to support Otley Action and local businesses. (£4000)
OTLEY ACTION FOR OLDER PEOPLE DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2017
2017 2016 £ £ £ £ Income Grants, Donations and Fundraising 178,863 81,134 Fees and Charges 5,188 10,896 Contributions to Activities 19,649 17,799 Luncheon Club 14,029 12,084 Community Car Scheme 1,328 1,364 Bank Interest 1,320 2,071 Social Work Placements 2,480 5,580 Employers Allowance 3,000 2,000
Total Income 225,857 132,928
Expenditure Office and Room Rent 10,618 10,600 Light and Heat 2,351 2,326 Subscriptions 257 207 Telephone 1,511 2,321 Printing, Stationery & Postage 1,259 2,009 Insurance 845 313 Repairs & Renewals 1,468 523 I T Support 1,583 1,465 Independent Examination 2,244 1,692 Professional Fees 682 3,347 Miscellaneous 58 - Bank Charges 455 347 Publicity 2,581 2,109 25,912 27,259
Minibus & Van Expenses 7,785 5,204 Trips, Social Events & Activities 15,268 16,193 Luncheon Club 13,171 15,057 Gardening Costs - 1,092 Boiler Donation 100 - 36,324 37,546
Salaries 78,316 62,193 Employers National Insurance 5,994 4,518 Pension Contributions 15,967 4,824 Payroll Fees 821 507 Training 1,097 330 Volunteer Expenses 2,855 2,856 Childcare Costs 3,056 1,273 Recruitment Costs 179 72 DBS Checks 188 344 108,473 76,917 Depreciation 11,657 1,628
Total Expenditure 182,366 143,350
Net Surplus/(Deficit) for the Year 43,491 (10,422)
Funds Brought Forward 209,404 219,826
Funds Carried Forward 252,895 209,404