HOPE (Horndean Older Persons Enabling Forum) AGE Concern Cowplain New Befriending Service Supported by: Hampshire County Council Horndean Parish Council, East Hampshire District Council & Radian Housing Association What is the Service? The Befriending service is a team of volunteers who will offer 8 weeks short-term support to local older people who have become or are at risk of becoming isolated. The service will assist the older person to join in activities in our community, provide them with information and accompany them on their first few outings to help them overcome any anxieties they may have Who is the service for? Local people living in the villages of: Horndean, Catherington, Blendworth & Lovedean, (all within the Parish of Horndean). It will be targeted at those who are socially isolated and lacking in information, social skills and confidence to access other community services Who can refer to the service? Anyone may refer us to an older person who they feel will benefit from this service. However before you refer, please ensure that the older person meets our criteria and that there is an outcome we can work to i.e. help the person to join a lunch club, take part in an activity, or join in an interest group Criteria: Over 65 At risk of becoming socially isolated Not currently taking part in community based activities Lives in the Parish of Horndean Wants to be referred to the service Would like to attend an activity in the community with a little support Is mentally & physically capable of independently continuing the activity after the 8 weeks of support ends Contact Us If you know of any older person who you believe may benefit from this service please call Liz Wood on 023 9226 6423 (Working days Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays) Volunteer Befrienders wanted We are also recruiting empathetic volunteers who can help deliver the new scheme who will receive full training & travel expenses. If you want to find out more about becoming a volunteer just contact Liz as above H.O.P.E. to join in! HOPE is a service provided by Horndean Community Association Reg charity No: 301854 in partnership with AGE Concern Cowplain - Reg Charity no: 251915 HOPE (Horndean Older People's Enabling Forum exists to 'enable older people to add life to their years'. HOPE is a very recent initiative from Horndean Community Association. Hope has a four point action plan to help support as and when needed - Horndean's 2400 residents aged 65 and over... 1. to identify their social & community needs .... 2. to promote or provide missing services & facilities ... 3. to communicate information to older people ... & ... 4. to represent older people's views to other agencies. http://www.horndean.net/index.php?category=community&pag e=hope www.twitter.com/HOPE150513 .