Mycenae House Reach Out Projects impact

MYCENAE HOUSE REACH OUT PROJECTS

Reaching Out to help our Community

"I just want to go to the Day Care Centre with my wife" - 84 year old Community member -

Tom - frail and lonely

No one day is the same at The Reach Out Project at Mycenae House.

We respond to ever critical needs to those who experience isolation, loneliness and who need advice and signposting.

A frail gentlemen wandered in on a freezing cold, windy day asking for help. He had been sent to us for advice as he needed activities for Mondays when his wife goes to Day Care. He admitted he would love to go with her. So we made some steps to contact the right people to try and make this happen for him.

"I can't believe I've come out of the house having fun talking to people" Joanne - anxious, depressed, lack of family & friends Im starting to feel afraid of coming out. It was hard enough to ring to see what you activities you offer.

After going to The Reach Out Wellbeing Cafe I have signed up to the Confidence building sessions with Coaching from Dionne. I was so emotional to be chatting with people and finding it so friendly. I can't thank you enough.

Over 2 million people in the UK aged 75 and over live on their own.

Many of our community members attend our sessions after losing a loved one.

The Reach Out Project supports those who have been bereaved to engage in activities with others. Support and friendships have helped them in their difficult journey.

"He is putting on his Janet - terrified to own socks now"

walk in the door and meet others

John - non verbal and When we know that our non communicative recovering from mental new members are visiting the Mycenae health trauma John came to us one day with a parent who said John does not communicate or respond John had been through a deeply traumatic mental health experience which changed his life dramatically. We helped John by putting him together with our volunteer Personal Trainer who is developing a bond with John. John is responding with supportive coaching and his parent was thrilled John dressed himself. A massive milestone for him in his long recovery.

Reach Out Wellbeing Cafe we sit them with our supportive volunteers so they don't sit alone.

We have found this approach works well and we have members that have been coming back to us for years.

The number of over50s experiencing loneliness is set to reach two million by 2025/6

"Group session with Dionne - The Coaching Queen"

Julie - suffered

Dionne from 'Coaching with Dionne' came to us and offered The Reach Out Project 4 free sessions of confidence and career coaching. Community members attended and we heard about how they overcame tremendous hurdles in their lives. It was powerful, emotional and inspiring to hear life stories.

Dionne was truly inspiring.

This young lady suffered serious health issues but was determined to get her life back on track.

Through years of rehabilitation and support from those who attend Reach Out Projects, Julie now has a part time job and a solid group of friends. Julie puts her success down to support from the group.

This is a small sample of those that have been supported.

ALL NAMES CHANGED TO PROTECT ANONYMITY

serious health issues

During your 30's/40's friends often drift way when having families of their own or moving house

What does The Reach Out Project do to help The Reach Out Project was established 2017 by Deborah Fitzpatrick. We started with a drop in cafe. One person attended for 6 weeks and we wondered if there was a real need for the service.

Five years later The Reach Out Project has grown significantly with a number of projects and increasingly sees those signposted from NHS Oxleas Mental Health.

Collaboration with The John Roan School The benefit of creating strengths in partnerships with The John Roan School became evident during the lockdown. Mary was on her own during the lockdown with her only family member living over 100 miles away.

During the lockdown and through our collaboration with The John Roan School, a school pupil adopted Mary as her 'gran'.

The pupil bought her food We see people that have shopping in and facetimed been bereaved, with poor her relative. mobility and/or The bond has developed disabilities, poor mental way since lockdown into a health. We also see long lasting friendship people who wish to engage in new activities. benefitting both parties.

The Stats Individuals that are socially isolated are: 1.8 times more likely to visit a GP, 1.6 times more likely to visit A&E and 3.5 times more likely to enter local authority residential care. Research

by Holt-Lunstad states that ‘weak social connections carry a health risk that is more harmful than not exercising and twice as harmful as obesity'.

Socially isolated people are 3.4 times more likely to suffer depression, 1.9 times more likely to develop dementia in the following 15 years, 2 to 3 times more likely to be physically inactive, which may result in a 7% increased likelihood of developing diabetes, an 8% increased likelihood of suffering a stroke and a 14% likelihood of developing coronary heart disease. https://iotuk.org.uk/

Helping those with disabilities to engage in activities We heard that those with disabilities living in assistive and independent living homes were finding it difficult to find places to go in the community. In response we set up 'Exercise meets Dance' with volunteers Personal Trainer, Darren and Dance Teacher, Simona leading the sessions. We also offer Everybody Sing aimed at those with learning disabilities and their carers fully funded by Nightingale CIC

A community member in her sight loss journey asks for help Abigail came into the house asking for help and guidance. She had been diagnosed as having cataracts and macular degeneration and was struggling to see her TV and computer and didn't know where to get help or who from. We supported Abigail and got in touch with Ability Net who gave her expert advice and will continue to signpost and support her during this difficult time.

Signposting to other Organisations expert in their field

We have found community members are struggling to find services to support them in their lives.

The Reach Out Project continues to offer advice and guidance and to signpost and seek advice for our Community members.

Mycenae House Reach Out Projects, The John Roan School and Care Homes We were thrilled to work with Local Care Homes offering poetry, crafts and games with Community Librarians from The John Roan School working in partnership with Mycenae House Reach Out Projects.

Our next project is coming up soon with Community Librarians brightening up Charlton Park Care Home with an array of beautiful plants and foliage. Watch this space

The Goldsmiths Company Awards for Community Engagement The John Roan Community Librarians have been nominated as National Finalists for their work in the community and with The Reach Out Project with individuals and Care Homes.

The Reach Out Projects requests sponsorship & donations from local businesses We ask that local businesses support what we do. Do you have a

working in Partnership

We work in partnership and collaborate with many partners who are expert in their field.

good idea to help us fundraise?- could we be your local Charity to support? Tell us more on mycenaeoutreach@gmail.c om The Reach Out project is funded from surplus made from running Mycenae House. Due to the pandemic, income from room hire has been hugely affected, we have therefore established a crowd-funding campaign and donations can be made here: https://gofund.me/dca635 86

We continually seek out information and signpost our community members to these services.

If you would like to discuss a collaboration please contact us on 0208 858 1749 at Mycenae House

The Reach Out Projects offers Digital sessions to guide you through the Internet We were proud to offer help with digital disasters and face to face help with your gadget from Paul Clayton of Soulchip Communications.

Mycenae Digital also held sessions for getting to grips with the internet.

We were grateful to Royal Borough of Greenwich for funding.

A little bit more about us Reach Out Activities since 2017 Tea, Cake & Talk Dementia Hub SELCE Energy Advice Community Advice Advice from Greenwich Carers Centre Cabaret Clubs for Seniors Discos for those with disabilities Mycenae Digital Weekly Wellbeing Cafe with mini massages and help and guidance Walks with The Volunteer Centre Seated Exercise Free learn to knit and crochet Community meals Hearing Loss Advice Charity Get Fit sessions Get Together Tuesdays Creative Movement Mycenae Music Chill n Chat with Age UK Women's Walks Men in Sheds with AGE UK Women in Sheds with AGE UK

and there is more...

Aimed at those with disabilities/poor mobilities Valentine's Day Disco Tropical event Exercise meets Dance Everybody Sing The Reach Out Programme is continually updated throughout the year.

Updated activities can be found here www.mycenaereachout. co.uk