A CHARITY dedicated to eradicating isolation and loneliness in Southampton has recently benefitted from Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) funding to create an umbrella ‘Best at Home’ initiative alongside its existing services (January 2022).
Built on discussions between Communicare and the CCG, its aim is to help service users remain at home when this is the best choice for them.
Communicare Manager, Annie Clewlow, explains: “We have been working with the CCG to help provide a service, that works cohesively with our variety of existing provisions including our Hello Southampton telephone service and our Hospital Homecoming initiative, under the umbrella name of ‘Best at Home’.
“At this moment in time we are beginning to witness a rise in people that need support, especially if they are coming out of hospital and may be needing that extra help or if they’re isolated and lonely in the coming months, when the weather and potential worries about Covid may be keeping them at home.
“It is proven that being able to convalesce after a hospital stay in the comfort of your own home with the support of a regular visiting friendly face or via regular check-ins, is more beneficial to your recovery, mental health and wellbeing, than being kept in hospital. Our Best at Home service will also provide telephone calls to check in on anyone who is feeling lonely and isolated too.
“Of course, there are limitations as to when this is and isn’t appropriate, but we hope that this will encourage those who need us to thrive in a familiar environment. It is with this funding in mind, we are delighted to also welcome back Jess Lee, as our Hello Southampton Coordinator.”
To find out more about Communicare, please visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.