Public Health Northamptonshire – Supporting independence

What are the three conversations?

Conversation one: Listen and Connect. This is about listening hard to the individual and understanding what really matters to them. It’s also about connecting them to local resources and support that helps them to get on with their chosen life. Conversation two: Work intensively with people in crisis. This is about finding out what needs to change urgently to help someone to regain control of their life and working with them to build the things they need into a plan, as well as supporting them to make that change. Conversation three: Build a good life. This conversation asks what does a good life look like? What resources, connections and support will enable the person to live that chosen life? And how can the person be helped to build a plan to grown and progress throughout their life? Starting with two new innovation sites, one in Kingsthorpe, Northampton and the other in Corby, volunteers have started to test this new approach, working closely with partners and the community. Good results have been seen very quickly, with people who have been supported saying just how much difference this new approach means to them. Colleagues, partners and one of the people directly affected by these changes explain more about the impact this has had in this video: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=pOhOtxa44iU Following the successful trials, this new way of working has now been implemented across the whole of Northamptonshire and, alongside partners, accessible hubs have been developed within the heart of local communities. The adult social care structure has been reviewed and adapted to meet the needs of the new approach: Teams supporting people to live as independently as possible by connecting them to their communities: Community Team, Inclusion Team, Learning Disabilities Team. Short-term services promoting independence: Reablement services, short-term services. Teams supporting people to get home from hospital or short-term beds: Hospital assessment team. Would be good to include a part at the end about how people find out more or access the hubs? Eg a website link (if that exists yet)

Supporting independence

Each year, around one in three people over the age of 65 has a fall, resulting in significant injury. Falls are not an inevitable part of growing older, and there are lots of things you can do to help reduce the risk of falling.

The Supporting Independence Programme

• Have you noticed any recent changes in your health? • Do you have difficulties walking or need help moving about? • Are everyday tasks such as shopping becoming more difficult? • Do you need someone to help you on a regular basis? • When you need help, do you sometimes feel lonely or isolated? The Supporting Independence Programme provides up to 12 weeks of one to one support for those of us who may have slowed a little, are feeling less confident getting around or who need someone to help on a regular basis. This could be supporting you to increase your levels of physical activity, helping you to access medication reviews or providing emotional or nutritional support and advice. Support can be face to face or over the phone depending on your preference. This assessment can be completed by anyone living in Northamptonshire, or completed by a medical professional on someone else’s behalf, to see if they would be eligible for independence support. You can complete an Independence Assessment online on the SIP webpage at www3.northamptonshire.gov.uk/ councilservices/health/pages/supporting-independence. aspx or you can call us on 0300 126 1000 to speak to an advisor over the phone, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.