GREENS NORTON VILLAGE AGENT

You are invited to attend the launch of the South Northants Homes and Supporting People Village Agent Pilot Scheme. Please click here for details and to download your invitation.

MY NAME IS ANN MUXLOW AND I AM THE SCHEME MANAGER AT NORTON COURT AND HAVE BEEN FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS NOW.

IN NOVEMBER, SNH WAS ASKED BY SUPPORTING PEOPLE TO RUN A PILOT FOR A VILLAGE AGENT.

I WAS ASKED IF I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ON THIS NEW OPPORTUNITY, WORKING 18.5HRS AS A SCHEME MANAGER, AND 18.5HRS AS THE 'VILLAGE AGENT'.

WHEN I AM CARRYING OUT MY DUTIES AS VILLAGE AGENT, THE SCHEME WILL BE COVERED BY JENNY CUNNEEN WHO HAS BEEN A TEMPORARY WORKER FOR SNH SINCE MAY, THEREBY MY RESIDENTS WILL NOT BE LOSING THEIR FULL TIME SCHEME MANAGER SERVICE.

MY NEW ROLE AS VILLAGE AGENT FOR GREENS NORTON. IS BEING FUNDED BY SUPPORTING PEOPLE WHO ARE A GOVERNMENT AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANY ASPECTS OF SUPPORT DELIVERED TO RESIDENTS LIVING IN SHELTERED HOUSING.

MY NEW ROLE STARTED IN JANUARY AND HAS BEEN FUNDED BY SP FOR 12 MONTHS.

THERE IS A SIMILAR SCHEME IN GLOUCESTER BUT THIS IS THE ONLY ONE IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

IT IS HOPED THAT IF IT IS SUCCESSFUL, IT WILL EXPAND TO OTHER AREAS ESPECIALLY THOSE MORE RURAL.

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF MY ROLE IS ONE OF BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN RESIDENTS IN THE VILLAGE AND THE VARIOUS AGENCIES, VOLUNTEER GROUPS AND STATUARY BODIES.

I WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SIGNPOST RESIDENTS AND MAKE CONTACT ON THEIR BEHALF AND OFFER HELP AND SUPPORT - EITHER ON A ONE OFF BASIS OR A FOLLOW UP SYSTEM.

THIS WOULD MAINLY BE FOR THE MANY ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN THE VILLAGE BUT HOPEFULLY ANYONE WHO IS DISADVANTAGED OR ISOLATED WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO REQUEST A VIST OR CONTACT FROM ME.

I FEEL I HAVE ALREADY BROKEN DOWN THE FIRST HURDLE IN THAT SO MANY PEOPLE EITHER KNOW ME OR OF ME, AND HOPEFULLY WOULD BE COMFORTABLE IN REQUESTING HELP AND SUPPORT FROM ME.

DURING MY VISIT OR CONTACT, I WOULD COMPLETE A GATEWAY REFFERAL FORM WHICH WOULD HIGHLIGHT ANY AREAS OF SUPPORT THAT IS REQUIRED. THIS COULD BE SIMPLY GIVING INFORMATION, ARRANGE FITTING OF SMOKE DETECTORS, CHECK SECURITY, ARRANGING FOR A BENEFITS CHECK FOR EXAMPLE. A BIG PART OF MY ROLE WILL BE TO ENCOURAGE VILLAGERS TO COME TO THE SCHEME AND JOIN IN ALL THE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, THERBY REDUCING SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONLINESS WHICH AFFECTS A LARGE PART OF THE OLDER POPULATION.

I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THE MANY AGENCIES, GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS SO I CAN BUILD UP A NETWORK OF CONTACTS.

ANYONE CAN CONTACT ME DURING OFFICE HOURS MON- FRI. ON 01327 352691 TO ARRANGE A VISIT FOR HELP OR ADVICE. ALL SUPPORT PROVIDED IS COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL. I HAVE AN UP TO DATE CRB, AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING LEAFLETS, BROCHURES AND CALLING CARDS PRINTED, WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE LOCALLY.