A Week in the Life of...

Juliet Hawksworth, Stapleford Community Warden

My name is Juliet the community warden for Stapleford. I work 2 to 3 hours a day to make up a 12-hour week (Mon-Fri). A typical week involves a mixture of phone calls and visits, supporting people with small jobs in and around their home, and community networking within the village or with other support groups.

My typical week:

Each morning starts with phone calls. Some of the people on the scheme receive a daily phone call, some have just one or two calls per week (it depends on what they would like). The calls serve several purposes: For example, it may be that someone enjoys a chat everyday as they may be living alone and not able to access as much of the community as they once did, and my call may be the only conversation they have all day. For others, the call represents a ‘check in’. It’s a way to ensure that all is well and they’re up and about. This is often a huge reassurance for the families of those on the scheme. Family members may live far from their loved ones and so can feel confident that there is someone close at hand to offer support if needed.

My day will then start to take shape as I plan any visits, shopping requests, prescriptions, activities etc.

As I live in the village, I try to make my visits on bike or on foot as much as possible. This goes someway to balance out the number of biscuits I may be offered and have no will power to refuse! Visits can involve a cup of tea and chat, preparing a light lunch, or support with small jobs around the home. I have helped to sew on buttons and find misplaced items for a lady with visual impairment, water house plants and read out articles from the newspaper. These are just little jobs which I am more than happy to do as I appreciate how frustrating those ‘little things’ can be.

My visits also enable me to observe the person and their home, to be an active listener and offer support if needed. I may notice that the person seems unwell or upset for example or that they are starting to need some practical support in their house. They might need our AgeUK Handyman service as they are starting to have difficulty on the steps into the garden and need a grab rail, or I may offer a referral to our Homes Team to organise a shopper, or cleaner, or IT support.

There may also be information and advice about benefits or health care to pass on, or support to fill in forms, or make phone calls (like phoning in meter readings, or making health related appointments). The visits are also an excellent opportunity to pass on details of up-and-coming local events and activities.

Networking and promoting the scheme is also factored into my week. I make sure I distribute leaflets into shops and cafes and pin them up on the notice boards. Wardens are always looking for ways to let people know that we are here and what we can do. I have dropped leaflets into GP surgeries so that the Social Prescribers are made aware of the scheme and can make recommendations to their patients.

Recently, I have been part of the Community Warden Steering Group at Community events, helping on the bric a brac stall at Stapleford Village Fete and Shelford Feast. This has been a fun way to meet people talk about the scheme and promote myself!

I really enjoy my job. I have been Warden in Stapleford for 4 months now. I have very supportive co workers and I know that answers to questions are just a call away. There are some great people on the Stapleford scheme who are a joy to spend time with. We are starting to attract more enquiries now that people in the village know me and my role.

One of my favourite parts of the week is the coffee morning in Stapleford. It is a wonderful example of people coming together and supporting each other emotionally and practically. It is an opportunity for me to listen in to find out what sort of support older people in the community need to live dignified, healthy, independent lives and to encourage discussion. It would be great to think I could remove all barriers and enable everyone to participate in community life but it’s just not possible, even for someone regularly fortified with tea and biscuits! By working for AgeUK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, however, I do feel like I’m part of a caring organisation and community working in partnership towards this goal.

If you would like more information on the Community Warden Service or to start a FREE trial, please contact us email wardens@ageukcap.org.uk or phone Stapleford Community Warden Juliet Hawksworth on 07436 102 733. For all other areas call one of our Community Warden Team Leaders either, Marion Arnold on 07944 181 307 or Kelly Mason on 07812 496 004.