Cornwall’s Community Gateway just got better!

Cornwall’s Community Gateway just got better, as the service expands face-to-face support.

Cornwall’s Community Gateway is strengthening its local presence with an increased focus on face-to-face support alongside its existing telephone service, making it easier than ever for people to get the right help at the right time. The improved service means more people will be able to speak to someone in person for help with everyday challenges around wellbeing, housing or accessing wider community services such as community hubs.

Thousands of additional people each year are set to benefit from the expanded support to help them live well at home, whether they're struggling after a hospital stay, worried about money, looking for practical support, or finding it difficult to access the services they need.

Kate Mitchell, relationship and strategic director at Age UK Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "We know that talking to someone face-to-face can make a huge difference, particularly for people who may be feeling isolated, overwhelmed or unsure where to turn. Every week, our expanded gateway outreach team are able to see at least 50 more people in their homes and communities. This means we can help overcome challenges before they become bigger problems. We want to help make sure no one has to navigate difficult times on their own. Whether someone needs a little help or more ongoing support, we're here to listen, connect people with community groups and local services across Cornwall.”

Dedicated advisers, outreach workers and trained volunteers work alongside each person to understand what matters most to them and create a personalised support plan that helps them regain confidence, independence and wellbeing.

Support is tailored to each individual and can include practical help around the home, assistance with benefits and finances, connecting people with local activities and support groups, arranging transport, helping people settle back home after a hospital stay, improving wellbeing, and reducing loneliness.

People already using the service will continue to receive support, with the added option of more in-person contact where appropriate.

Since launching almost four years ago, Community Gateway has supported thousands of people across Cornwall through personalised support plans. More than 80% of those plans were started within 72 hours of contacting the team.

Helping people to keep their independence and wellbeing means they have less need to seek help from other services like the NHS and Social Services.

Last year, Community Gateway supported almost 900 people to return home from hospital and put services and support in place to ensure people did not stay any longer than they needed to. Reducing an extra two nights in hospital for this number of people can save the NHS £870,000.

The service also provided assistance for almost 800 people who may have needed a hospital stay without a support plan in place, saving the NHS more than £2million.

Kate added: “Every day our Community Gateway teams manage at least 150 emails, conversations, referrals and messages. This means we have 150 opportunities each day to make a difference and reach out to people. Almost 89% of people who have used the service said it helped them get the support they needed. This is the same fantastic Community Gateway service, now it’s even better!”

Brenda Kenyon, 77, from Truro suffered a mental breakdown and had memory loss. It left her trapped in a cycle between hospital and home, unable to care for herself. Her daughter and granddaughter discovered the Falmouth Hub, through the Community Gateway.

Brenda said it’s transformed her life: “I was in and out of hospital for three years. I’d had pneumonia and bronchitis; my mental health wasn’t very good. Gradually it’s got better and better and a lot of that has to do with the support from the people from the Community Gateway.”

Referrals can be made by GPs, nurses, hospitals, community organisations, family members, friends, neighbours or by people referring themselves.

Community Gateway’s key strength is the partnership bringing together voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to combine local knowledge, skills, relationships and reach.

Working collaboratively helps partners engage people who may not otherwise access services, connect them to the right support at the right time, and build a fuller understanding of community needs, strengths and opportunities while maintaining trusted local relationships.

The partnership is strengthening how organisations share learning, expertise and insight to improve outcomes and demonstrate social value. By evidencing not just the support provided but its impact on people’s lives, it is building a stronger case for prevention, independence and wellbeing. This demonstrates how the voluntary and community sector can identify need earlier, respond effectively and achieve greater collective impact.

Cornwall Council Cabinet Lead for Adult Social Care and Health Partnerships, Cllr Jim McKenna said: “We are proud to be leading the commissioning of the Community Gateway on behalf of Cornwall’s health and social care system, which forms a key part of our new Home Together collaboration. “This exciting and innovative approach will make it easier for people to access the right support, in the right place, at the right time, helping them to maintain their independence, improve their wellbeing and live safely in their own homes for longer. By working together across the voluntary and community sector and health and social care, we are creating a more connected and responsive system that puts people at the centre, focuses on prevention and early intervention, and supports our ambition for residents to have healthy, independent and fulfilling lives.”

Dr Peter Collins, Chief Officer for Population Health Data and Insights for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and NHS Devon, said: "I am delighted to welcome the extra support to be offered through Cornwall’s Community Gateway.  We are proud of our collaborative work here in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly which is making a difference to people’s lives and receiving national recognition.“We know that good health is influenced by much more than medical care, and the Community Gateway service is a great example of how working together with our communities can help people stay well for longer."

Accessing the Community Gateway

The service is available seven days a week, from 8am until 8pm, 365 days a year; including Christmas Day.

To access support, call 01872 266383.or email - welcome@kernowgateway.org.uk  - you can also find out more about the Community Gatway by visiting this link https://bit.ly/community_gateway or scanning this QR Code.

Community Gateway is funded by NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board and Cornwall Council.