1. Community Support Service
Samantha Clark
Cwm Taf Locality Manager

2. Why is it needed ?
The community support
service aims to tackle the
growing need for targeted
person centred support, for
socially isolated and
vulnerable older people aged
fifty five years and over

3. What will the service offer to beneficiaries?
Provision of information Linking up to services
Advocacy Support
Encouragement Signposting
 Support and assistance to access services to help improve their health & well being
 Support and assistance to access services that can help to improve their home environment
and make it safer/easier to maintain
 Support and assistance to access information that may improve their financial situation
 Encourage and support individuals to play a more active role within their local
community through participation in social/recreational activities, lifelong learning
opportunities and/or volunteering

4. How will the service be delivered?
 This time limited service will be offered to
individuals for up to maximum period of 12
weeks
 A detailed individual assessment of need,
prepared with service beneficiaries, will be
undertaken and a personal action plan prepared.
The plan will outline specific objectives that will
be delivered, through the support of dedicated
volunteers and full participation of service
beneficiaries, with weekly monitoring
 Dedicated volunteers will provide
companionship, coaching and peer mentoring
throughout the support period. The service will
enable beneficiaries to build their confidence,
awareness and access local support & social
networks
 Service will be available Monday to Friday
9.00am to 5.00pm

5. Case study
Service user A was living on her own and was struggling to maintain her
independence. Upon receiving a flyer about the community support service
she contacted the service, seeking support.
Upon discussion with service user A it became apparent that she felt unsafe within her own home and
was struggling with getting around her house due to mobility problems. The community support service
assisted her to access the local bobby scheme which enabled her to have additional door & window locks
fitted in her home making her feel more secure. A referral to the local care and repair service also
resulted in grab rails being fitted throughout the house which enabled service user A to move more safely
around her home. The Red Cross PALS service was also able to provide her with aids to daily living
which allowed her to remain independent but undertake tasks such as cooking and bathing more safely.
While visiting service user A, the community support service identified other areas with which she needed
assistance. For example, although the service user did not directly express her loneliness, at times it was
clear that she lacked companionship due to her husbands death. As a result the community support
service connected service user A with social groups such as a local Sight Support book club meeting, in
which she was able to socialise with individuals with similar problems. Service user A has expressed how
pleased she has been with the support the British Red Cross community support service has provided.

6. Outcomes
 Reduction in social isolation
 Improved health/well being & quality of life as a result of the
support packages put into place through the intervention of the service
 Improved awareness of and increased confidence in individuals assisted by the project to
access local support services available to them.
 Improved community cohesion through individuals supported by the service being assisted to
become more involved in their local communities
 Improved engagement & participation of vulnerable individuals within the communities in which
the service will be delivered
 Greater number of individuals supported & empowered to influence policy & decision about
services in their community
 Volunteering & skills/learning opportunities offered within the local communities

7. Your local Community Support
Service contact details:
Community Support Team Leader
Email: MerthyrCSS@redcross.org.uk
British Red Cross
Unit 14B Taff Business Centre
Tonteg Road
Trefforest
CF375UA