Guideposts Trust Annual Report 2013 - 2014

Aiming higher

Annual Report

2014

Preface

Guideposts Trust Annual Report 2014

01993 8935652

Aiming higherGuideposts is making a real and lasting difference to the lives of those affected by the challenges of ageing, learning disability, and mental health, and is proud of its achievements this year.

The unpredictable and constrained economic environment has presented many challenges for both services and users alike. However despite this we have worked with renewed determination and commitment to ensure that we continue to provide quality services tailored to meet the needs of our many client groups.

2013-2014 has been a year to celebrate our many achievements, large and small. Dig n Grow and Music Therapy have proved invaluable in enabling interaction and a sense of achievement amongst those who participate. The support for Carers and the ability to offer Carers breaks as a result of securing additional funding, are vital services for this important group in today’s society.

Our Shared Lives scheme, and selection of community projects offers our most vulnerable client groups unique opportunities to share experiences, gain new friends and develop

skills and confidence on their journey towards greater independence.

After School, Saturday and Holiday Clubs continue to enable children and young people with learning disabilities to enjoy more fulfilled lives as part of the wider community and to provide much needed breaks for their parents and carers.

The list of services goes on.

Guideposts is unique in offering such a wide range of services which benefit so many. We will continue to strive for the highest quality of service, care and support, aiming higher and higher to achieve the best for those who deserve the best.

You can see even more about our work on our online annual report at www.guidepostsreport.org.uk


[email protected]

Vision, Mission, ValuesGuideposts Trust is a diverse, innovative and dynamic charity that is always aiming higher to ensure best quality, best practice and best opportunities.

Our vision, mission and values are embedded into our day-to-day working lives.

Children & young people

Dementia Learning disabilities

Mental health

Older people

Carers Shop/café &

training

Garden or music therapy

Essex • •Gloucestershire • • • •Hertfordshire • • • • •Norfolk • •Northants • • •Oxfordshire • • • • • • •Suffolk • •Warwickshire • • • •West Berkshire • •

Local County Services:

Vision A society where all people are valued and have equality of opportunity.

Mission To provide services to meet individual needs so that each person has the opportunity to fulfil their aspirations and maximise their potential.

To achieve excellence in our work and lead the way in researching, delivering and disseminating good practice.

Values We will ensure each individual whom we support determines the service we deliver.

We will provide value for money to all stakeholders.

We will deliver and develop quality, person-centred and innovative services.

We will sustain our confidence and willingness to work with people who have multiple and complex needs.

Nationwide: Our 24-hour national dementia helpline and our increasing nationwide Dementia Information Prescriptions make it easy to access dementia-related information and services. Our Factsheerts, Hints & Tips for Carers and Handy Guide are all FREE to anyone in the UK.

GuidepostsWorking locally, making a difference nationally

Chair’s Report


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Chair’s ReportValuing VolunteersSocial inclusion has been at the heart of Guideposts work for over 40 years, which is why enabling people to take part in society, and to be part of society underpins all the charity does.

Regardless of ability or disability we believe that everyone should have the same right and same opportunity to do so.

To do this Guideposts runs locally based services to ensure those living in our communities have the greatest opportunity to live fulfilled and happy lives; support to maximise their potential and the chance to take part in social activities.

A vital part in the successful delivery of these local services are Guideposts’ volunteers. Throughout our history we have developed volunteer based services that make a huge contribution to the lives of those who use our group.

Alongside our skilled staff we have over 250 volunteers who provide over 12000 hours of help and support to those who use our services.

Through our friendship and befriending schemes, for instance, Guideposts volunteers give people with learning disabilities, mental health issues or dementia the chance to be part of society. To go out for a coffee, go to the cinema, have companionship, and for some be the only social contact they may have with anyone.

We know that social isolation is damaging to mental and physical health, reduces life chances and provides a poor quality of life. Yet today increasing numbers of the most vulnerable people in our communities are being marginalised as services are increasingly reduced.

We are therefore very appreciative to those who give up their time to help make someone else’s life a little bit better.

As a charity we have been at the forefront in the provision of social and community solutions and we continue to lead the way.

Our new five-year plan,’ Moving Forward’, builds on Guideposts’ strength of local knowledge and the understanding of the needs of those who use our services. We want to ensure that when we need help, the right service at the right time becomes a standard in health and social care that is the norm.

For the thousands of people who support our work and our philosophy we are grateful to you and hope very much that you will continue to work with us to ensure that no one’s life is blighted by exclusion.

Raymond Flood

Chairman

Raymond

250volunteers

12000over

hours of care

Fundraising


[email protected]

Support from TrustsGuideposts receive support every year from a number of Trusts without whose generosity we would be unable continue to provide the level of support and care so vital to the people in the communities we serve. To all the Trusts who support our work we would like to say thank you so much for all your support.

We received £1000 from the St. James’ Place Foundation towards our children’s services in Oxfordshire, which allowed 3 children with severe disabilities to take part in activities run by our Oxfordshire Children’s Services.

Our SupportersIndividual fundraisers who literally go that extra mile for us have been a fantastic source of support this year – thank you all for your generous support and the time and energy you take in making sure we can continue to deliver care and support for others.

Stephen Musgrave and daughter Hannah ran the Windsor Half Marathon and raised £7000, which funded the production of a Dementia Information Prescription for Richmond & Windsor, which will enable anyone needing local information on dementia services to get a list of all the key services, organisations and useful numbers they need.

This year, many people have, even in their own time of grief and sadness, given a gift in memory of a loved one they have lost. We have also had some very generous legacy donations from people who have remembered Guideposts in their Will and allow their support for us to extend beyond their lifetime.

Lyn Ebbs has raised £295.00 - Remembering Tillie Clarke

https://www.justgiving.com/TillieClarke

£85,000 left as a legacy by J.S.

£7000 left as a legacy by J.G.

Without your generous support our mission for a world where all people are valued and have equal life chances would be even harder.

Tillie found the early stages of her Alzheimer’s Disease quite distressing and we were grateful for the support that Guideposts was able to give us. This in turn helped us to give her the help and support she needed and still see the essential Tillie behind her condition.

I have long been a supporter through giving to dementia charities and I decided to do something more practical and get fit at the same time. The end result was that the £7,000 I raised has been used in a focused and clear way to provide the Dementia Information Guide for the Richmond area which is a real and tangible outcome. Stephen Musgrave

Carer Support

6

CarersOur continuing successful Carer Support Service in Warwickshire, which provides dedicated support to anyone who is a carer, had its contract extended by Warwickshire County Council until 30 June 2015.

The service is a true lifeline for carers, offering support, advice, training, workshops and much more. Many carers in the county now know that they do not have to struggle alone to provide the care their loved one needs and, as importantly, the care and respite they need for themselves.

This year, to reflect the needs of the cared for and the carer, we were delighted to receive

The new service, “Time For You” offers cared-for people in Warwickshire a safe environment to enjoy supervised activities, whilst carers have the option to either take part in the activity or use the time to take a short break and recharge their batteries. Operating from our Community Café in Nuneaton, an exciting programme of events will be launched in May 2014. The service will be run by a part-time co-ordinator and volunteers.

This year also saw the launch of ‘’In Touch’’ volunteer service. With the help of volunteers giving their gift of time, we are able to help and support many more people across the county. Volunteers help by visiting and phoning carers, reducing their isolation and making sure they have everything they need.

Caring PartnersGuideposts is delighted to welcome South and Vale Carer’s Centre, based in Didcot, Oxfordshire, to the Guideposts group. South and Vale were faced with closure earlier this year, after the loss of their statutory funding in 2011. Since then the centre has continued to operate effectively as an independent charity, relying on its own fundraising efforts to continue to provide its specialist support and advice service to unpaid carers across South Oxfordshire and Vale of the White Horse.

We will be working together closely on funding to expand the centre’s existing carers’ services but also to explore possibilities of jointly developing and providing other carer services.

£3000start-up fundingfor a 3-year period by the 29th May 1961 Charity.

Page 1Page 5 Page 6

GuidepostsLeading the Way

Time For You

Have a break from caring.Take some time for you.Registered Office: Guideposts Trust, Willow Tree House, Two Rivers, Station

Lane, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 4BHGuideposts Trust Limited is registered in England as a company No.1282361 and registered with the Charity Commission No. 272619

GuidepostsLeading the Way

What is Time For You?

Contact us:

Time For You is a new project offering cared-for people in Warwickshire a safe environment to enjoy supervised activities, whilst carers have the option to either take part in the activity or use the time to take a short break and recharge their batteries.

Please note: some medical conditions may not allow for the cared for person to use the service without their carers supervision - no personal care will be supplied e.g. toileting.

Sessions take place on Tuesday & Thursday between 2pm and 3pm based at Guideposts Community Café in Nuneaton.

Tel: 02476 385 888 and ask for Joanne or Paula

Email: [email protected]

Guideposts Activity Coordinator Community Café

44-45 Church Street Nuneaton, CV11 4AD

Places are limited and honoured on a first come, first served basis

www.guidepoststrust.org.uk

P10370 [Time For You Leaflet.indd 1-3 23/04/2014 14:01


[email protected]

Caring For CarersA number of organisations were selected to support carers on behalf of Gloucestershire County Council and NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), bringing together a wealth of experience in the field. Altogether, the organisations will be offering support to the value of £2,325,000 in the first year. Carers Gloucestershire, working with Gloucestershire Young Carers, was selected to deliver a wide range of services. The services are carers voice; information, advice and guidance; support planning and carers assessments; and emotional support for carers. Guideposts, working with Crossroads, will provide carers breaks – valuable respite support for carers.

60volunteers now recruited to the Care Support

Service 827new

referrals

6120carers registered

with Carer Support.9239

instances of support

provided

It is so good to know that you are there if I need you.

The gift of timevaluing our volunteersMany of Guideposts key services are dependent on the time given by volunteers to be able to deliver the services we offer. Amanda Jerman, Manager of the Care Support Service in Warwickshire says, “Without the support of volunteers, many organisations would be unable to deliver the level and quality of support to vulnerable members of the community. It goes without saying that their time and commitment is invaluable.”

Guideposts Trust and our partner Crossroads Care are delighted to be awarded the carer’s break contract. We look forward to working with the County Council and CCG to ensure every carer is at the centre to support them in a way that is right for them. In all of our work we start from the viewpoint that every person is deserving of dignity and choice. This means putting people first - and their needs and wishes at the heart of what we do.

Kate Worrall, Guideposts Managing Director

Children and young people


01993 8935658

Children and young peopleThis year, more children and young people than ever have been able to access our services in Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and West Berkshire.

For children and young people with a learning or physical disability or who exhibit challenging behaviours, being socially excluded, feeling unsafe, being bullied and not being seen as able do the kinds of things that non-disabled young people do, such as shopping, going swimming, playing in the park and so on are common experiences. Our inclusive clubs and holiday schemes are vital sources of social and emotional interaction, learning and fun.

Being inclusive means that we welcome children and young people of ALL abilities, providing

one-to-one or event two-to-one support if needed so that each and every child or young person has an equal opportunity to join in, mix socially, make friends and work towards independence and personal choice.

Our teams of experienced, fully-trained workers are skilled in creating and supervising fantastic activities. With the support of our volunteer base, which we have been working hard to grow this year, we are able to offer the best quality of care.

Volunteers are so incredibly helpful in supporting the team in helping to set up and supporting the running of activities. It’s great to have dedicated people to help with the practical things that allow staff to focus on the delivery of the activities and the provision of care. We really appreciate all that they do. Claire, Witney Area Co-ordinator

Helping out with the activities is a really valuable experience for the volunteers, many of whom wish to go into jobs in education or care services.

Can I just say how fab your Easter camp has been. Cara has absolutely loved coming for the 4 days and has been telling everyone about Guideposts!!! Cara’s Mum, Oxfordshire

10 new volunteers

Thanks very much for providing such a brilliant service. Nat really enjoys being at Witney & always comes home having learned something new. HP, Nat’s mum, Oxfordshire

9Guideposts Trust Annual Report 2014

[email protected]

NorthamptonshireWe are delighted to have received

283children cared for

2000hours of holiday

playschemes

Over

19000hours of after school clubs

Over

2000hours of youth club provision

Over

£87000from BBC Children in Need for our Wild Woods project. The project is based on Forest School principles, which encourage children and young people to explore the great outdoors through hands on play and outdoor learning. Forest Schools originated in Sweden and came over to the United Kingdom in the 1990s Our project will start in April 2014 and we are looking forward to seeing young people really benefit from experiencing new things from the positive approach to hands-on learning and the great outdoors. During the sessions children learn about: safety in the woods, listening to and following instructions; they learn about physical, emotional and social boundaries; children learn

to take managed risks safely and to work as a group as well as exploring things and learning as an individual. The benefits are achieved by children as they are allowed to tackle new tasks at their own pace. Children can enjoy fresh air, exercise, and opportunities to try new things in an outdoor environment. Many children don’t get these opportunities in their lives and the project gives them a unique chance to be in the open and explore.

I don’t think I have ever been in a place where there is so much laughter.

AW (Service User)

Community support

10 Guideposts Trust Annual Report 2014

01993 893565

Community SupportWorking in the heart of local communities for over 40 years, means that Guideposts have developed a unique relationship with local people and a knowledge of their needs that is based on an approach that puts people at the very centre of what we do. We believe that by listening to people and providing them with the support services they really need, we can develop a more caring and inclusive society where people have choices and independence.

Dig ‘n’ Grow (Oxfordshire)

Gardening and horticultural therapy is now widely recognised in helping people achieve many things. It can help a person recover their strength after an illness or an accident; it can give someone coping with a difficult period in their life because of isolation or mental health distress a sense of purpose through planned activity; it can help to uplift the mood and provide positive emotions; it help people to socialise and connect with others, by forming friendships and improve communications skills; it can give people confidence in a social situation, help form friendships, build on and teach new practical and

communication skills and improve skills such as initiative, co-operation, patience and concentration as well as numeracy and literacy skills. For these reasons people with learning disabilities or dementia often find the garden environment meets many complex needs.

Gardens are healing and restorative environments. Being outside in Guideposts’ therapeutic garden, allotment or helping working on gardens of older or disabled people promotes well-being in lots of ways.

12regular gardeners

each month

Up to 128therapy sessions


[email protected]

Help at Home (Oxfordshire)

Just about everyone agrees: the home is the best setting for providing health care to increasing numbers of people of all ages. Evidence suggests that home care is a key step toward achieving better health outcomes for many patients. Studies show that home care can improve quality of care and reduce hospitalization due to chronic conditions or adverse events. The home is the preferred setting for health care because the

patient is most comfortable there. “This can mean less incidents and safety issues in the home setting than in most other settings, because the person is and fells more in control. Guideposts person-centred care provided by Help at Home means more people can live more independently and safely in the comfort and familiarity of their own home, for longer.

10500+hours of care and support

You have changed Dolly’s life. 18 months ago she was lonely sad and depressed. Never went out and was very unhappy. I visited her last week just after your Help at Home staff had brought her back from feeding the ducks, of all things, and she was smiling and laughing. You have given me back the sister I have always known. Your staff are marvellous people, loving and kind, but so skilled and professional. Thank you so much.

Help At Home For DollyOur Help at Home service is funded partly by donations which help us provide long-term income care and support for people like Dolly.

Dolly suffered a serious head injury 5 years ago. It caused her a great deal of suffering. From being active and happy she is now unsteady on her feet, loses her memory and has limited vision. Dolly will need help every day for the rest of her life.

As a result of the change in her life, she has felt very depressed and upset. Her family felt she needed more support at home, with someone to help her with practical things, but also to provide her with some friendship and company.

Chair’s Report & 40 years


01993 89356512

8000calls to the ILC

HELPLINE (01235 524857)

Over2600

visitors

Over

Brilliant advice.

Independent Living Centre (Oxfordshire)

Offering impartial advice and practical solutions for difficulties and challenges with daily living, our friendly and knowledgeable staff and OTs at the ILC in Abingdon support people in finding solutions and enable them to live independently and in their own homes for longer. Successful events this year have included

each of which has focussed on a specific aspect of independent living and assistive technology.

o the ILC HELPLINE (01235 524857)

9successful Open Days

I thought overall it was a very useful experience and with the additional equipment we have received we are far more able to live in our own house.

Thank you so much for doing a very thorough, professional, but most importantly to me such a caring job on all of this. Your expertise has been invaluable in helping me navigate what to the uninitiated seems like a fairly impenetrable forest at times.


[email protected]

Music Therapy (Oxfordshire & Gloucestershire)

This year, Guideposts have appointed a new MT Manager who has been very active in growing the service, and attending our Dementia Awareness events. The service has broadened the client groups it serves: as well as those living with dementia, we now support children, adults, carers, people with learning disabilities and those who have suffered stroke, brain injury or who have mental health difficulties.

The service ran an open ‘taster’ session at Oxford Central Library in September which allowed members of the public to experience music therapy and talk to us about our work. Volunteer Deborah Henderson (music therapist) helped out and we reached and brought together a total of 12 members of the public

The service hosted a British Association of Music Therapy ‘Dementia Group’ day in September which brought together music therapists from all over the UK who were interested in or are currently working in the field of dementia. Our music therapists hosted the event and delivered a formal presentation on clinical work.120clients

per month

over

Community Café (Nuneaton, Warwickshire)

Guideposts Community Café is always a hive of activity, a hub of information and a pillar of community support and care. Not only does it serve amazing food - all home-made - at great prices and the best coffee in town, but it provides services for carers, health and well-being sessions to support people who are vulnerable and in need of advice and a bank of computers for people to use. The Café also provides training for young adults with a learning disability. Above all, the Café strives to be completely inclusive, with full disabled access and caring, committed staff. They also offer volunteers the opportunity to gain skills and confidence working in a busy community environment.

Events held included a Family Fun Day in April, to encourage more people with younger families into the Café. Coventry Building Society staff staged a special event to mark its choice of Guideposts’ Community Café as its community partner, hosting a 1940’s themed Tea Party. “We heard about the Community Cafe from a couple of our members, who regularly attend the cafe and said they really enjoy the company and the good food. They are all doing a great job for our local community.” (CBS staff member)

2250Café customers

per month

Over

£508.23raised

Dementia


01993 893565

Dementia Two’s companyIn collaboration with Stratford Town Trust, one of our newest services, Two’s Company, has been set up to provide on-going support and befriending to people with dementia in Stratford-upon-Avon.

People with a diagnosis of dementia may find performing simple tasks increasingly difficult but with a little support may be able to live well, take part in activities and enjoy their community and their independence for a lot longer. Two’s Company volunteer befrienders help them to do that.

Personal Dementia Information PrescriptionsGuideposts’ unique Personalised Dementia Information Prescriptions (PDIP) provide information about local dementia-specific support, and facts about provision for difficulties being experienced in other areas of life. By taking a holistic overview of an individual’s health and social care needs, the potential strain on the carer or person with dementia could be reduced. Therefore the Information Prescription covers things such as domiciliary health support, financial benefits

and advocacy services. Once the template was developed, consultation with carer groups and professionals received very positive feedback.

“ It is a really useful ‘all in one place’ leaflet, which contains all the useful contact info that otherwise isn’t readily available.”

(GP)

16service users

6current volunteers

1839 people with dementia in

Stratford-upon-Avon

At a time when he was feeling so tired, you managed to make him laugh and relax. It had been a tough week for us and your visit made such a difference to him. I also appreciated the opportunity to get to the hairdressers and the doctors. I feel confident that you will look after his well-being and whilst taking his memory problems into account, you ensure that he maintains his independence.

(from a letter received from a client’s wife)

www.dementiaweb.org.uk


[email protected]

35 PDIPs now on website

Dementia friendly communitiesWe were involved in the Oxfordshire Dementia Friendly Communities project, where we helped to raise awareness and train

Many of the groups are now setting up dementia-friendly activities such as dementia-friendly film showings, cafés, carers groups, supporting Housing Association residents, setting up information points and much more.

Dementia empowermentGuideposts facilitated the Oxfordshire Dementia Empowerment Group to hold

6Dementia Awareness Campaigns

over 600 people across Oxfordshire attended.

Talking & listening This group has continued to support 8 people with Mild Cognitive Impairment in a closed therapy group, held fortnightly. Members find it useful to be able to talk about issues that concern them but they cannot always talk about with family or friends.

It is so very useful to find out so much information in one location, I didn’t know it was all out there, and hearing the speakers was very moving.

Dementia Awareness attendee, Oxford

800 people across Oxfordshire

I feel normal when I am here, my memory problem doesn’t matter.

(J . A.)

I can say things that I can’t say to my wife, as I don’t want to upset her.

(G. H.)

Learning Disability

16

Sensory roomThis year, using the grant we received from The Clothworkers’ Foundation, we have provided Snoezelen ® equipment and created a relaxed yet fascinating environment in our Sensory Room in Ware. Everyone visiting the Sensory Room has recognised and responded to the sense of calm there - demonstrating its therapeutic value.

The lighting, bubble tower and light curtain have proved to be highly motivating and stimulating, especially when people are feeling low. The sensory equipment has provided an opportunity for us to respond more effectively to the range of needs and behaviours we support and we are therefore able to accommodate more individuals on a weekly basis.

Throughout the week the majority of the service users attending will spend between 10-40mins in the sensory room.

If you go down to the woods today...You’re sure of a brilliant time! Guideposts Great Grove woodland project is now working

The woodland is managed by Guideposts to promote an active lifestyle with a sense of purpose, community team work and friendship for adults with a learning disability.

The project is an inclusive activity which brings people to beautiful woodlands. They can join in a variety of woodland activities such as building camp fires, cutting down trees, building hedges and sawing firewood to help sustain the woodland, developing opportunities for friendship, independence and confidence, building self-esteem and new skills.

I like fresh air and exercise and meeting new people.

4 days a week

12people per session


[email protected]

Mates ‘n’ DatesGuideposts’ flagship dating and friendship scheme for adults with a learning disability in Oxfordshire supports adults with a learning disability to make new friends, to date and to develop relationships. People with learning disabilities want to be the same as everybody else this means they want friends and maybe a partner. Mates ‘n’ Dates has been developed to help make this basic right a reality.

For Mates ‘n’ Dates to work, we rely almost completely on volunteers. The scheme Co-ordinator, Hannah, works 2 days a week so the volunteers are really crucial to the success of the scheme and to the members.

30volunteers

350members

Working with volunteers is really special. It is so great that they have chosen to give their time, so that means they really want to be here and a really committed. Without them, we simply couldn’t offer the service in the way we do. They really make a huge difference to the quality of life of our members. They really are the lifeblood of the scheme.

Hannah Wolstenholme, Mates ‘n’ Dates Co-ordinator, Oxfordshire

Learning Disability


01993 893565

Volunteer voiceTim

I joined Mates ‘n’ Dates about 4 years ago and have really noticed a change in myself since I started volunteering. Working with adults with learning difficulties really pushed me out of my comfort zone. It challenged my preconceptions about disability and resulted in a complete re-evaluation. Volunteering for Mates and Dates has also made me more tolerant and able to cope with everyday life. Seeing the hurdles that some members of Mates n Dates have to contend with in life is really humbling and makes you appreciate what you have. Volunteering for Mates n Dates has also been nice because I have formed friendships with other volunteers, people I may not otherwise have met.

Elizabeth

My own life has been greatly enriched by the experience of getting to know the Mates ‘n’ Dates members. A tremendous sense of fun pervades every Mates ‘n’ Dates event - it’s brilliant fun! I am consistently impressed by the positive attitudes of the Mates ‘n’ Dates members and their courage in going to events such as speed dating which would terrify me! I am often inspired by them when I am in social situations which I find challenging. I am delighted that by giving someone a lift to the pub, accompanying them on a bus journey or helping them to read a menu in a restaurant, I am enabling them to have a social life in the wonderfully secure, inclusive environment which Mates ‘n’ Dates provides.


[email protected]

Friendship for allGuideposts Friendship Scheme in Hertfordshire arranges for volunteers to be a friend to an adult with learning disabilities. Befrienders share a bit of their leisure time with their friend and support them to get out and about, use local leisure and social facilities and have a fuller social life. As well as one-to-one friendships there are joint activities that let people meet others in a fun and enjoyable way.

The benefits include:

offering equal opportunities to socialise, make friends and feel a part of the community

overcoming the loneliness and isolation that some people with learning disabilities experience

offering opportunities to become more independent and confident

offering opportunities to make independent decisions and choices

offering the opportunity for a more fulfilling life

which will enable us to train our volunteers and support them to befriend adults with severe and complex needs. This will ensure that some of the most vulnerable and isolated members of our community can have a friend, socialise and live a more fulfilling life.

You can read some of our volunteers’ stories in the website version of this report www.guidepostsreport.org.uk

£4000from the Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust

This year we were pleased to receive

Without our volunteers there are many people who would be lonelier and leading less fulfilling lives.Emma, Friendship Scheme Co-ordinator

39volunteers

Mental Health


01993 893565

Mental healthOur mental health befriending scheme in SW Hertfordshire, has been incredibly busy this year.

We have volunteers involved in befriending clients (socialising with a client twice a month for 1-2 hours going out for a coffee, a meal, cinema, etc.), supporting roles in groups at Henry Smith House and No. 10 Leeming Road, with the Outreach Groups at Rickmansworth and Borehamwood, administrative roles at Henry Smith House and at No. 10, ‘buddying’ clients as

part of the Keep Calm and Carry On course and for IT, with the Job Club, on our Moving Forward courses, and more.

The befriending scheme includes one-to-one befriending, social groups, weekly badminton sessions, fortnightly football sessions and maintaining the seasonal allotment.

Henry Smith House The doorway to mental health

At Guideposts in Watford we have lots going on all the time! There are courses and groups running continuously. We have two art groups, a craft group, current affairs group, hearing voices group, gardening group, relaxation group, over 30’s and under 30’s groups, singing project, men’s group, Moving Forward employment project, pain support group, BME group, Happiness Group and walking groups. In these groups we go on visits to local places of interest and go for social activities in the community. At planning meetings clients suggest what they would like to do in the sessions and we do whatever we can to follow their suggestions. Recent events for the Orbital Group have included a play reading session, ten-pin bowling, a trip to Whippendell Woods and cooking a curry. The Under-30’s have done Quazar, had a music appreciation session and a discussion on staying

well, amongst an array of other activities. Recently the Men’s Group have taken a trip to Cheslyn Gardens, planned some gardening projects and plan to have a photography session. There are outreach groups at Rickmansworth, Potters Bar and Borehamwood also. The Rickmansworth Group have recently had a games afternoon, played indoor golf, are planning a trip to London and to the cinema.

Often we run special short courses on healthy living, anxiety, moving forward, relationships, assertiveness and art. This is such a lovely way to learn new skills, meet new friends, gain confidence and self-esteem! Attendance at the groups involves the beginning of moving towards recovery.

100befriending visits

per month

over

2500+ hours of volunteer support this year


[email protected]

150service user sessions per

month

over

From the moment I first walked through the door I immediately felt so very welcome and at home. I have, and still do, enjoy every moment of my volunteering at HSH. In my personal experience, volunteering with HSH has been a two-way street: I have shared my experiences to help others, and in return my voluntary work has provided me with the helping-hand that I had been in

need of for a long, long time – the first step on my journey towards a new career. Working alongside people at HSH to help them to achieve their goals has been, and continues to be very rewarding and fulfilling for me. It also helped me to realise that I was well on my way to finding my true vocation in life.

Angela Tanner, HSH volunteer

Volunteer voice

Finances


01993 89356522

FinancesCommentators broadly are referring to Adult Social Care as ‘broken’ and ‘in crisis’. Austerity has forced budgets down meaning fewer people have access to services, and in addition Local Authorities do not have sufficient budget to meaningfully support those individuals who need it. In totality this is broadly driving quality down. However, there is a movement starting to reverse this and invest in flexible, innovative models that support individuals, families and carers in different ways. As the population increases, the state will continue to focus its resources to those with most complex needs and as a result will start to look for tangible achievements and added value in commissioned services.

Within the current climate, Guideposts’ Board, Directorate and Senior Management Team see opportunities and value in ensuring that we have in place the knowledge and structures to provide the quality services that commentators are advocating. Now is an optimum time to aim higher - enhancing services and practices to influence commissioners and funders and inform the flexible services of the future.

In our ‘Responding to Change’ strategy for 2012-17 we have detailed Guideposts Trust’s ambitions for positioning in that market and our approach to provision: staffing framework, quality management, infrastructure and funding and during 2013-14 we continued to implement and develop our thinking around that strategy, moving forward.

The Trust reported a deficit of £200,567 on its operating activities for the year. This was a planned deficit and included 11 projects supported from fundraising and reserves during the year, with a total value of £ 603,537. This includes 4 statutory funded services; three of

which have been supported through restructure and remodelling to develop the services provided so they can exploit other funding opportunities. Unfortunately, we have had to recognise that where, despite exploring all possibilities, services cannot be made viable without impacting on quality, we have to close them. Thus, the result for the year includes £142,665 of costs relating to closure and redundancy.

Governance costs include those costs incurred in the governance of the charity and are primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements. None of the Trustees are remunerated for their work.

We continue to focus on effective use of resources and imaginative options for funding which position us as an evidence-based and quality-driven organisation that can continue to meet growing social need in an innovative and sustainable way.


[email protected]

The future Moving ForwardIn our ‘Responding to Change’ strategy for 2012-17, we have set out Guideposts Trust’s ambitions to ensure that we have in place the knowledge and structures to provide the quality services that contemporary commentators are advocating, and our approach to service provision and what underpins it – staff training and development, quality management, infrastructure and funding. Despite ever-increasing cuts to public expenditure in the area of Social Care, we are committed to moving forward – maintaining and improving our services, continuing making a real difference to people’s lives.

We are making real progress, and the vision and development plans within our strategy are being enhanced for 2014 using what we have learned to date.

In the last year our successes include: –

Agreeing a partnership with South and Vale Carer’s Centre, based in Didcot Oxfordshire. The agreement will enable Guideposts to support the Centre and work in partnership to continue to provide unpaid carers with the vital support and advice and other services to improve the quality of their lives.

Receiving funding from the Department of Health to develop training and information prescriptions with Jhoots Pharmacies.

Winning through tender the Carer’s Breaks and Carer’s Emergency Service in Gloucestershire in partnership with Crossroads Care Central and East Gloucestershire and Crossroads Care Forest of Dean and Herefordshire.

Being awarded a grant from BBC Children in Need to establish a Woodland project for Children and Young People in Northamptonshire.

Seeing an extension of our contract to deliver the Carer’s Support Service in Warwickshire into 2015

Receiving an extremely positive report on the impact of our Dementia Information Prescriptions and Helpline from Deloitte’s, independent auditors and consultants.

Successfully re-tendering for our Shared Lives Scheme in Essex.

As we move forward into 2015 and beyond Guideposts is using our learning to change our own view of our services; to understand how they each complement each other so that people can access support when they need to, to the level that they need, and facilitate long-term goal planning. We are already seeing exciting new opportunities arising from this work which we believe will lead in innovation, and add value to the way social care is delivered. For the people who use our services, the provision of genuinely person-centred services and a voice and a role in shaping them remains our aim.

For information on all our national and local services please contact our Registered Office below.

Registered office contact details:

Tel: Registered Office 01993 893560

Fundraising Enquiries 01993 893565

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.guidepoststrust.org.uk

Guideposts Trust Willow Tree House Two RiversStation LaneWitneyOxfordshire OX28 4BH

See this Annual Report online for even more information on our work this year www.guidepostsreport.org.uk

Guideposts Trust LtdRegistered in England No 1282361 Registered Charity No 272619

Documents

Guideposts Trust Annual Report 2013 - 2014