Category Archives: Social Isolation

Do you know someone who is socially isolated or lonely?

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b:friend is an award winning charity pairing volunteer befrienders with socially isolated older neighbours in the community to pop in, once a week, for a cuppa and a chat. Through one to one befriending and community social groups we aim to reduce loneliness among our older neighbours by reconnecting them with people and places in the community. We aim to have an impact on secondary outcomes of isolation including onset of dementia, depression and hospital readmission.

b:friend has been pairing older neighbours with befrienders since 2017 throughout South Yorkshire. There is no charge to the older neighbour and the aim is to facilitate mutually beneficial friendships that can offer companionship long into the future. The charity will look to pair befrienders with individuals aged 65+ that consent to visits and do not have specialist support needs, including a diagnosis of dementia or acute mental health needs.

b:friend accept referrals via their encrypted website www.letsbfriend.org.uk/make-referral/

5 Things to Help Your Community In Response To Covid-19

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corona-communities

 

Community Action Response – five things you can do

  1. Think of others, consider your actions & be kind: People in every community will face the challenges of COVID-19 in some way – from needing basic provisions to help while they are unwell.
  2. Connect and reach out to your neighbours: as self-isolation increases, we need to find new ways to stay connected and check in on one another for our physical and mental wellbeing. Share phone numbers and stay in touch.
  3. Make the most of local online groups: Keep up to date, share information and be a positive part of your local community conversations using platforms like Nextdoor.
  4. Support vulnerable or isolated people: different groups in our communities are at increased risk and social isolation and loneliness are key concerns for all ages. There are things you can do like volunteering for local support services or donating to food banks to help.
  5. Share accurate information and advice: Support anyone who may be anxious about COVID-19. Sign post them to the correct advice from Public Health England and encourage people to follow the correct hygiene practices.

Community Fund

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Does your organisation work with council tenants, or in and around council housing estates in Sheffield? Do you have an idea for an exciting, innovative project which would benefit council tenants but don’t have the money you need to get it off the ground?

If so, your organisation could be eligible for a grant from our Community Fund. The fund aims to support stronger, successful communities by making grants available to local voluntary, community and self-help groups wanting to make a difference in their local neighbourhood. A total of £70,000 was spent in 18/19, shared across Sheffield’s 28 electoral wards and we have funded some great projects! This year we have £178,000 to support community led projects across the city.

This is funded by public money and so there are, of course, a few rules about who can apply, what sort of projects it can be used for and how applications are assessed. But we have kept these to a minimum and made the process as simple as possible – with an easy-to-complete application form and clear guidance documents to help you put your application together.

Apply for the Community Fund

The next funding round closes on 31 August 2019.

Eligible organisations can apply for grants up to £2500, depending on which ward they are based and how much has already been awarded. Organisations will need to demonstrate in their application how their project would benefit council tenants in their community.

You can apply by downloading the forms and sending them to communityfund@sheffield.gov.uk or posting them to:

Lynne Clark
Community Fund Team
c/o Future of Council Housing
Freepost – RTJK – XUAB – GXZC
Corporate Mail Facility
Sheffield City Council
1 Moorfoot
Sheffield  S1 4PL

 

Please click on the link below to access the form: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/council-housing/community-fund