Those living with us have delivered copies of Empowering Communities to Care to their local MPs

Residents and staff from across our care homes and housing schemes have delivered a document to the office of their local MP explaining how a network of charities, volunteers and community champions is urgently needed to help meet the challenges facing the social care sector.

‘Empowering Communities to Care’ outlines how resourcing ‘micro-assets’ – such as lunch clubs, volunteer befriending services and community entrepreneurs – could have real impact for older people and ease the pressure on the NHS, connecting silos of state provision and minimising the risk of people falling through the gaps.

At Middlefields House, Chippenham, family members Judith and Shirley delivered the document to the office of Sarah Gibson MP. At Shottermill House, Haslemere Ann our Registered Care Manager, family members Helen, Jean and Lesley and The Way We Care Lead Lux delivered the document to the office of Greg Stafford MP.

At Evington Home, Leicester our Business Manager Inderjit (Indy) and Lisa handed the document straight to their local MP Shockat Adam while at Milward House, Tunbridge Wells Mike Martin MP dropped by and was handed the document by our family member Esther.

Already, more than 1.4 million vulnerable people are not getting the help they need. Problems include social isolation, difficulties communicating with local health and social services and challenges with practical tasks. With the UK population ageing rapidly – in 10 years’ time there will be 13 million people aged over 65 – change is needed urgently.

Judith at Middlefields House, Chippenham, says, “It’s so important that older people can get help quickly and easily. I’m calling on Sarah Gibson MP and the wider government to help make our community a place that is empowered to care and I hope my small step makes a difference.”

The document, authored by Pilgrims’ Friend Society and supported by 10 other organisations including The Salvation Army and UK Community Foundations, sets out themes that could quickly be turned into actionable policies to enhance the efficiency and delivery of care.

Stephen Hammersley, Chief Executive of Pilgrims’ Friend Society, says, “If we don’t address this now, we will exacerbate problems of scarcity, poverty, loneliness, frustration, and despair as change crawls along slowly in the face of accelerating need.

“An older person won’t die of a minor ailment, but if they are alone, they may wait and get really ill with a bad outcome for the person and a great cost for the taxpayer. Local intelligence and reach comes for free if the whole system is connected, from the ground up, to people and groups already active in meeting need in communities.

“There is so much brilliant work already going on but there is more that could be done. Let’s match the dedication of our older people in taking a step to champion the efforts of existing local initiatives where there is the potential for most impact.”

On Tuesday 26th November, Pilgrims' Friend Society is hosting a networking event in Westminster with a selection of speakers outlining why empowering communities is important and how it’s already being done MPs have also been invited to the event.

Please pray...
- For good discussions at the event
- For MPs, that they would take seriously the ideas set out and use their positions of influence to affect change