Fenland Community Warden Service

Press Release February 2022

AGE UK CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND PETERBOROUGH EXTENDS COMMUNITY WARDEN SERVICE TO FENLAND AREA

• Community Warden Services now operating in 20 areas, making 48,620 contacts in the last year
• Service offers free two-week trial and then just £9 (single person) and £11 (couple) per week
• Wardens make daily contact to assist with good wellbeing and help older people with practical daily living to minimise isolation and loneliness

Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (AUKCAP) is delighted to announce the launch of the first Community Warden Scheme within Fenland, made possible through joint working with Fenland District Council and Doddington Integrated Neighbourhood Hub, with funds available to deliver the Council’s Housing Adaptations and repairs Policy. 

AUKCAP’s Community Warden Service – exists to support older people to continue living independently at home by providing daily contact (Mon-Fri) and support to ensure a sense of security and wellbeing. The service has grown considerably over the last 27 years and the charity is proud to now offer 20 schemes across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Last year (2020/2021) the service made around 48,620 contacts across the schemes. That is approx. 935 home visits or phone calls every week!

The charity’s Fenland South Villages Community Warden will work closely with Doddington Integrated Neighbourhood to support a continued wrap around service allowing timely and safe hospital discharges, ensuring a safe home environment, reducing accidents in the home, and to support healthy, safe and independent living for those on the scheme.

Melanie Wicklen, Chief Executive, Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough commented:

"Being able to live in your own home in later life is something many of us would strive for, but it is not always possible as we grow older.  We are therefore delighted to have the opportunity to now offer support through our newest Community Warden Service, in Doddington and the surrounding areas.  Our twentieth in the county, yet first service of this type in Fenland, will enable individuals to have the confidence to remain at home, in their familiar surroundings, with low level and consistent input from their Community Warden.  This is very much a joint project between Doddington Hospital, Fenland District Council and Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and we look forward to engaging with communities, and local representatives, in order to reach those who would benefit most from this provision."

Cllr Sam Clark, Fenland District Council’s Cabinet member for Communities, said:

“In the Autumn, all public sector authorities and partners were tasked to do all they can to help ease pressures in health and social care, struggling with the impact of the pandemic. So, Fenland District Council stepped up to the plate to do its bit and we’re delighted that this scheme has now launched with AUKCAP as a result. It will help to get people out of hospital quicker and prevent non-elective admissions to hospital services.”

Cllr Samantha Hoy, the Council’s Cabinet member for Regulated Providers added:

“The launch of this new scheme has been made possible thanks to resources we have set aside for the delivery of our Housing Adaptations and Repairs Policy. In recent years we have spent funding from Government of circa £1 million per annum to support delivery of the policy and help more people to live safely and independently at home.”

The service offers a two-week free trial and thereafter, if the user wishes to continue, there is a small fee of just £9 per week (single person) or £11 a week (for a couple). As well as making daily contact (Monday to Friday*) to check on wellbeing and generally have a chat to reduce loneliness and isolation, the warden can also help with practical things such as:

• Regular welfare checks via a phone call and visits
• Make a light lunch, or hot drink
• Small practical tasks such as putting the bins out and bring back in, feeding pets, watering plants, washing up
• Help with paperwork such as Blue Badge applications
• Make phone calls on your behalf (e.g. if hard of hearing, or memory impaired)
• Provide company and reassurance on a short walk
• Collect and deliver small amounts of shopping
• Collect and deliver prescriptions
• Arrange transport and accompanied visits to medical/health appointments
• Signpost and connect to other useful services, such as benefit checks
• Wardens also arrange small local gatherings and entertainment events, giving service users an opportunity to meet each other (pre-COVID) and take part in social events.

Eileen (in photo), who has been receiving support via a Community Warden Scheme told us:

 “I like to hear the wardens voice and see her face, it brightens my day. I wouldn’t know what to do about getting my prescriptions and shopping if I didn’t have her. I have made lots of friends with Age UK, they don’t feel like my helps, they feel like my friends.”

To make a referral to Fenland South Villages Community Warden, please contact the warden directly on 07977948917 or email wardens@ageukcap.org.uk for details on any of our other schemes.

The only criteria is that a user must be aged over 60 years (if a couple only one person needs to be over 60, to become a service user). To utilise the benefits of the Community Warden Service, users will need to submit their name, address and date of birth. AUKCAP will then carry out an assessment just to find out the individual’s circumstances and what support is needed.

Other quotes taken from our Annual Review and Impact Statement 20/21

• Margot described why our contact is so welcome, as she doesn’t have any family and has no help from anyone. “I don’t know what I would do without Kate, she is so lovely, helpful and cheerful, nothing is too much trouble, she’s a God send. I wouldn’t be able to cope at home on my own without her. It’s so comforting to know I have someone I can contact if I’m worried about anything. When I hear her voice on the phone or see her smiling face, I feel lifted”

• Before Covid19, Jean used to enjoy attending the local coffee morning at the community centre and the opportunity to see her friends for a chat. Jean misses seeing people but now has the support of an AUKCAP Community Warden. She told us “My warden is like a second friend, she always stops for a chat. We talk about my old school days, our families, changes over the years where I live and life in general. She is very friendly and helpful and I enjoy her visits” 

• “My warden is always happy and upbeat. She has kept my spirits up throughout the pandemic.”

• “You wardens are angels. To hear your cheerful voice is very uplifting and brightens my day.”

• “If I am feeling low I know that by the end of your call, or visit, I will be feeling happier and smiling, as you always cheer me up.”

• “I can rely on you to help me find the help I need quickly. You always know who to contact or what numbers to call.”

Listen to Melanie Wicklen talking on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire more about the service on our You Tube Channel.