HEALTH - PROJECTS
2012/13 is an exciting year for the SOARs Health Services Team as a number of new projects are starting to be delivered, enhancing an already innovative and holistic approach to Health & Wellbeing service delivery.
Financial Inclusion
This is a new project aimed at reducing the level of debt for people in North East Sheffield.
The main aims of the pilot are to:
- Provide access to savings accounts and affordable credit
- Raise awareness around basic money management
- Increase awareness of health issues attributable to financial hardship
- Provide access to mainstream financial services and improve credit ratings
This is a partner project provided by SOAR, Foxhill & Parson Cross Advice Service, Sheffield Credit Union and Sheffield Revenue & Benefits Service.
Where & When?
Support can be given in person, over the telephone, by text or email and will continue throughout an agreed support plan.
Weekly support sessions are held at the following locations:
Credit Union Collection Points
Learning Zone, Parson Cross
Debt & Money Support
Foxhill & Parson Cross Advice Service
522-524 Wordsworth Avenue
Parson Cross
Contact:
Danny Wild, Advocacy Worker
Tel: 07903 328 055
Email: danny.wild@soaregen.org.uk
GP Signposting Project
We are linking with GP surgeries in the local area to develop a system of signposting patients to local services and activities. Patients can be referred for non-clinical issues, many of whom will be retained within our current health, advocacy, debt or employment services. Our one Stop Shop approach to health means that we are in a strong position to be able to support individuals with a wide range of issues and we have comprehensive systems in place to deal with these.
Due to our position in the community and a recent mapping exercise we are also in a strong position to signpost clients to local services that might better support their needs. This signposting system is currently up and running in three local GP surgeries and we are hoping to roll it out to others in the North East Community Assembly area in the coming months.
Contact:
Becky Gunn, Health Services Development Co-ordinator
Tel: 07960 084 119
Email: rebecca.gunn@soaregen.org.uk
SMART Recovery
Do you feel its time to make changes?
Are you thinking of changing your drinking or drug use?
Many people help themselves and each other with SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery is a confidential self-help group for people seeking independence from addictive behaviors; the group is facilitated by trained individuals who have had previouse experience of addiction.
Weekly group sessions are held at the Learning Zone, Parson Cross every Wednesday at 1pm-2.30pm
Contact:
Danny Wild, Advocacy Worker
Tel: 07903 328 055
Email: danny.wild@soaregen.org.uk
Community Health Champions
By becoming a Community Health Champion you could help local people get more involved in activities that not only improve their health but that of your community.
SOAR offers a range of opportunities that a Community Health Champion can get involved in such as working with the SOAR Health team on local health initiatives like providing Health Checks to local people.
Additional benefits include:
- Access to training opportunities
- Get involved with your community
- Develop new friends and gain new skills
- At least 6 months work experience with a reference at the end
Contact:
Becky Gunn, Health Services Development Co-ordinator
Tel: 07960 084 119
Email: rebecca.gunn@soaregen.org.uk
“I Am My Community” Asset Map
SOAR will be undertaking a ground breaking piece of community engagement centered on a Community Asset Mapping exercise.
This is being called “I am my community” by SOAR
SOARs Community Health Champions will engage with local people to discover and “map” resources, activities and interests “assets” within the community, such as;
- Individual - Skills, knowledge, interests and passions of local people
- Associations - Formal/informal groups like SOAR, TARAs, sports teams
- Organisations – Public/Private orgs like Sheffield Homes, Churches
- Physical – Parks, allotments, community buildings
- Economic – Local shops & businesses
- Cultural – Art and other creative opportunities, etc
SOAR will then work with local people and organizations to compile a list of all the positive things about the community and the reasons why people value these assets.
This will create a foundation to collectively develop ways to sustain and build on them or informs further planning such as strategic planning, community development and organisational development.
Contact:
Marisa Leiva, Health Development Worker
Tel: 07795 563 700
Email: marisa.leiva@soaregen.org.uk
