Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service

Councillor Peter Rees has been appointed Deputy Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council. Councillor Rees, who represents the Neath South ward, holds the Cabinet Portfolio for Social Care, Health and Housing. He is also the Council’s Older Persons’ Champion.

Source: Neath Port Talbot CBC website.

To make our communities the safest place to live, work and visit, The South Wales Fire Service are hosting two fire safety seminars for Older and Disabled People. The seminars will be held on 11th March 2010 at The Orbit Centre, Merthyr Tydfil from 10am – 3pm and on 23rd March 2010 at Cardiff County Hall from 10am – 3pm.  Telephone 01443 232000 or e-mail swfs@southwales-fire.gov.uk to book a place. The closing date is 18th February 2010.

The Framework of Services for Older People will promote the development of the appropriate range of local services working together to respond to the needs and the preferences of older people and their carers. These services should help them to continue or return to live at home or in a homely environment as independently as possible. Independence means either caring for oneself as much as possible or when practical assistance is required, it is based on the older person’s own choices and aspirations.  This applies equally to those people who fund their own care as well as those whose care is funded by the local authority or NHS. For more information go to the WCVA website.

Ceri James (POVA Coordinator) and Liz Woods (Deputy Adult Protection Coordinator) have put together a visual flow chart on the POVA procedure which they are in the process of rolling out to all services.  A copy is available to download.  This should be printed in colour, laminated and placed in strategic locations to assist staff in ensuring they follow the correct procedure in the event of an alert or disclosure or abuse/neglect.

Councillors in Neath Port Talbot have re-affirmed their commitment to modernising older people’s services in the county borough. On 16th December Council gave their backing to a policy which sets out a vision for how health, well-being, social care and support services for older people could look in years to come. The document, entitled ‘Choices for Living, For Life’, will provide a framework for future services and identify strategic directions for their long-term provision.

Source: Neath Port Talbot CBC website.

The Welsh Assembly Government has published revised guidance which strengthens arrangements to protect and safeguard vulnerable adults. The statutory guidance – ‘In Safe Hands’ – has been updated following public consultation. 

Source: Welsh Assembly Government website

The Assembly Government has launched its Green Paper, ‘Paying for Care in Wales’.  Consultation on the Green Paper proposals will run until 28 February 2010.  As part of the publicity around this consultation, a leaflet has been prepared for distribution within local libraries, GP surgeries and Citizens Advice Bureaux.  The A4 bilingual leaflet advertises the fact that the consultation is taking place, promotes the website www.payingforcareinwales.net, and encourages people to respond. The leaflet is available to download in English and Welsh.

On 1^st October 2009 the National Older Peoples Day, the Older Persons’ Council will be holding an information stand in the centre of Neath. The ‘Strategy for Older People living in Neath Port Talbot 2009-16’ will also be launched on that day.

RSVP Neath Port Talbot invite you to Celebrate UK Older People’s Day at 12:40 on Thursday 1st October 2009 at St David’s Church Neath, Tickets are £1.00 to include a buffet lunch and are available from Maureen at Communities First office, 73 Windsor Rd Neath, available on 01639 640674/07776140585

Neath Port Talbot Older Persons Small Grants Programme 2009/2010 is a one off grant available to any voluntary or community group which aims to support and promote the health and wellbeing of older people (aged 50 plus) living in Neath Port Talbot.

To be eligible for funding, groups or organisations must:

• Represent, serve or support older people
• Be based within the Neath Port Talbot County Borough
• Have an acceptable constitution
• Be a not for profit group with an annual turnover of less than £5000

Groups can only apply once for the grant and may apply for any amount between £50 and £500. For further information please contact Emma Jones, Neath Port Talbot CVS on 01639 631246 or emmaj@nptcvs.org.uk