A long-term illness or hospitalisation can be a trigger for becoming socially isolated. Becoming temporarily disconnected from your community can lead to a drop in confidence to get reconnected, even though your health may have returned to normal.

The MHA Community Support Project aims to address this problem by collaborating with the area Reablement Service so that people who are in this situation get referred for continuing support, once the reablement team has finished their work. The project will work closely with the MHA Live at Home Schemes in Horsforth, Farsley and Pudsey.

They will be using a modified befriending model, matching people with volunteers who can then help ensure people stay connected to their interests. The volunteers will:

• Make a positive difference to combat and prevent loneliness amongst older people
• Provide short term support for 1 or 2 hours each week
• Become a valuable link in connecting people back to their community
• Help reduce the risk of re-admission to hospital

If you would like to get involved or know someone who might benefit with the project, please get in touch with:

Community Support Project Volunteer Co-ordinator Sue Oliver
Tel: 0113 256 2717
Email: sue.oliver@mha.org.uk