contacts - Bassetlaw District Council

NEWSLETTER
May 2009
Welcome to the Bassetlaw First Contact
Signposting Scheme Newsletter. My name
is Jayne Bullock and as the co-ordinator
for the scheme I am responsible for
keeping you up to date on what is
happening and will give information
through your steering group member
(details on last page). I am based at the
Retford Action Centre which has now
moved to Canal Street, Retford,
Nottinghamshire DN22 6EZ. If you
have any queries you can contact me on
01777 709650 or e-mail
jbullock@retfordactioncentre.org.uk
TRAINING
So far over 500 staff have been
trained/re-trained in the Bassetlaw
area. Training covers how to use
the checklist correctly as well as a
talk by each of the pathway
organisations detailing the services
you can refer to. Smaller sessions
can be arranged. If you have not
received training and would like
to, or would like a recap on
training then please contact me or
your manager.
Self Referral has launched
On March 23 rd 2009 Bassetlaw First
Contact launched self referral. The leaflet
incorporates the checklists and can be
returned using the freepost address.
The leaflet is not a replacement to the
checklist; talking with the client will
always be better in giving a true reflection
on what the clients needs are.
People aged 60+ who do not come into
contact with service providers who can
complete the checklist with them or those
who need a little more time to accept help
are the clients we are hoping to reach using
the self referral leaflet.
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com
1

GOOD PRACTICE WHEN COMPLETING THE
CHECKLIST
STATS & FIGURES
Since the launch of First Contact just
under 900 checklists in Bassetlaw have
been completed resulting in more than
3300 referrals.
Please keep up the good work – you are
making a difference to these peoples
lives!
WELL DONE TO BASSATLAW DISTRICT
COUNCIL – YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE
MOST CHECKLISTS IN THE LAST 6
MONTHS!
When you complete the checklist please
ensure that you have put the department,
watch, service etc that you are from. This
helps when compiling reports, ensures that
you receive accurate data and makes it
easier if anyone needs to contact you.
Only put one persons name on a checklist
even if they are husband and wife. If there
is more than one name, we don’t know
who the personal information relates to. If
there is more than one person living in a
house and they both have separate needs
please fill in one form for each of them. If
there is only one person that requires
services then just fill in one form in their
name.
Check that the age of the client you are
First Contacting. We cannot process the
checklist if the client is not 60 or above.
We have had some checklist where the
client has been as young as 50!
Please ensure that all of the answers to the
questions on page one of the checklist have
been circled. In the case of DYNAH or the
groups and clubs question, please state in
the more details box which service from
DYNAH or type of group/club is required.
When completing the repair question,
please state in the more details box what
type of repair is needed e.g. door, window
When completing the energy efficiency
question, please state in the more details
box if it is loft insulation, cavity wall or
new heating system that is required
If you need to ring a client in response to a
referral, the older person will not usually
identify with the name of First Contact.
Generally clients will remember the name
of the person that completed the form with
them so my advice would be to quote the
name of the advisor and their organisation
when you ring. This helps to minimise
confusion.
If you have the checklist on your
computer, key in to it your name,
telephone number and organisation before
you print them. This is then one less thing
to fill in on the day and it won’t be
forgotten. (If you don’t have the checklist
on your computer and would like it in this
format please contact the co-ordinator;
Jayne Bullock on 01777 709650 or e-mail
firstcontact@retfordactioncentre.org.uk
When filling in the checklist, please do not
promise the client anything. This can raise
expectations and lead to disappointment
and confusion for the client. Clients
needing adaptations would love to have
walk in showers etc but we cannot
guarantee that their referral will lead to this
happening. It could be that they just need a
grab rail to assist them.
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com
2

SPOTLIGHT ON
A1 Housing HomeFinder is a Choice Based Lettings scheme introduced in March
2009. HomeFinder is a new way of allocating Bassetlaw District Council’s properties.
Each week A1 Housing will advertise properties and give applicants on the Housing
list the opportunity of having a say in where they live.
Registration
The first stage to getting a home through the Homefinder Scheme is to complete a
Homefinder application from. These can be obtained from our property shops at 17b
The Square, Retford or Queens Buildings, Potter Street, Worksop. We can also
send an application form out in the post by contacting either our Retford office on
01777 713202 or our Worksop office on 713202. The council operates an open
housing register, so anyone can apply, including existing Bassetlaw District Council
tenants, however applicants must normally be 18 years and over to go on the
housing register.
Advertising
Vacant properties will be advertised each week starting on a Thursday and closing
on the following Tuesday. Advertised properties will be available on our website
www.a1homefinder.org.uk, at our property shops at Retford and Worksop and on a
dedicated telephone line, 0800 590542. We also advertise vacant properties
throughout the Bassetlaw area at the following venues: -
• Harworth Housing Office, Scrooby Rd, Harworth, Doncaster DN11 8JP
• Carlton Village Hall, Long Lane, Carlton in Lindrick, Worksop, S81 9AP
• Surestart Centre, Langold, Worksop, S81 9PX
• Manton Community Alliance, Edinburgh Road, Worksop S80 2UD
• Tuxford Mine of Information, 2 Market Place, Tuxford NG22 0LA
• Misterton Centre, High Street, Misterton, DN10 4BU
Bidding
Applicants who are interested in an advertised property will need to place a ‘bid’ for that
property. A ‘bid’ is an expression of interest. Applicants can express an interest or ‘bid’ on
up to 3 properties. There are several ways to make a ‘bid’ including: -
• By a dedicated phone line 0845 230 4365
• On the website www.a1homefinder.org.uk
• By visiting one of our property shops and completing a bidding card.
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com
3

continued:
All bids received by the closing date will be sorted by Band and application date. The
successful applicant for properties in Band A & B will be placed in date order, based on the
date they entered Band A or B. The successful applicant for Band C, D & E will be the
earliest date the application was made.
The time at which the bid is received within each advertising cycle has NO bearing on the
selection process.
Successful applicants will be contacted shortly after the closing date to arrange a viewing and
moving in date. Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted directly but will be able to get
feedback on homes that have been recently let. These results will be published on the
website, and in our advertising locations, so that unsuccessful applicants will be able to find
out how long they may have to wait for a particular locality/dwelling.
For more information and for general housing advice contact us on ;
Worksop: 01909 533426
Retford: 01777 713202
New Service - Health Trainers
The PCT has identified reducing health inequalities as one of its key aims over the
next three years. The health profile for Bassetlaw has shown that even though the
health of the local population is improving, significant inequalities exist.
The role of the health trainer is to reduce these inequalities and improve the health
and wellbeing of the local community. We know it’s often difficult to make changes to
ones lifestyles without support.
Health trainers have an understanding of the local area and the services available.
They can enable clients to achieve big differences through small achievable steps.
They can identify and sustain health choices, with particular emphasis on smoking,
healthy eating, substance/ alcohol misuse, and physical activity.
Health trainers can assist with referrals to specialist services, they can talk to groups,
organisations or individuals to inform them of all the available options to make
healthier changes to achieve the results they want.
Health trainers are ideally recruited from the area they work in. This gives them a
greater understanding of the local community, and the barriers they face to achieve
their health ambitions.
Working together to control weight, get fitter, or stop smoking with someone who
understands, could make it that bit easier, to make that positive lifestyle change.
For further information contact your local health trainer.
For Worksop 01777863282 Natalie Dawes and Heather McMillan.
For Harworth 01777863282 Jane Brown and Julianne Wright.
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com
4

Bassetlaw Community Outreach
The Bassetlaw Community Outreach Advisor (Laura Jarman) has recently married and is now Mrs
Laura Goad. Laura is based at the Retford Action Centre and offers help, advice and information
for people over 50, to help them remain safe and independent in their own home.
Laura can visit older people in their own homes and offer advice and information on a number of
local services including, but not exclusively:
• Adaptations to the home
• Befriending Schemes
• Benefits advice
• Community Transport
• Crime prevention
• Home safety checks
• Local groups and clubs
• Meal Services
Laura also visits local groups and clubs in Bassetlaw to promote the service and talk to people
about any issues they have, no matter how big or small.
On Thursdays Laura can be found at the Retford’s Resource for Older People at the
Buttermarket, Retford Town Hall. Laura is on hand to answer any queries people may have and to
just have a general chat with anyone who drops in, appointments do not have to be made.
To contact Laura call the Retford Action Centre on 01777 709650 or the Retford’s Resource for
Older People on 01777 862745 (Thursdays only), or mobile 07793 978055 or
outreach@retfordactioncentre.org.uk
ACTIVITY FRIENDS IN BASSETLAW
Activity Friends is a project for people over 50 who would like support to become more physically active
or who can give support to others to become more physically active.
This could involve planning, organising or undertaking walks, accompanying someone swimming or
cycling, finding out about other activities and encouraging someone to join in them……and more!
In the region of seventy people have attended village walks organised by Rural Bassetlaw Befriending
between January and April as part of its Activity Friends work.
The village walks were gently paced and between 2 & 3 miles, followed by homemade soup and cakes.
The next walk is from Sturton le Steeple Village Hall on Sunday 7 th June 10.30.
For more information about Activity Friends, Traditional Befriending or the village walks, please
contact:
Rural Bassetlaw Befriending
2, Market Place
Tuxford
Newark
NG22 0LA
Tel: 01777 871482 or email: friendship@ruralbassetlawbefriending.org.uk
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com
5

A day in the life of :
Lynn Tupling
Retford Action Centre Chief Executive
I am Lynn Tupling and I have lived in Misterton for the past 23 years. My day job is Chief Executive of the
Retford Action Centre which is based on Canal Street in Retford. I also am a tutor for the Workers Educational
Association (WEA) and currently I teach a Literacy and Numeracy class at the Primary School in Misterton
every Tuesday evening. I also assist in the Computer Class in Misterton every Wednesday evening.
The work that I do provides me with a great deal of variety. The Retford Action Centre has 7 projects, each
covering the whole of Bassetlaw in addition to providing office space to the Bassetlaw Alzheimer’s Society, the
WRVS, the BCVS community partnership room and a training room. We have 11 paid staff and around 45
direct volunteers all of which are managed through our office.
The projects are predominantly to support the independence of older people – something that I am firmly
dedicated to, and include the following:
• Bassetlaw Community Car Scheme
• Bassetlaw First Contact
• Community Outreach
• Retford’s Resource for Older People
• Self Help Link
• Staying Well Programme
• Bassetlaw Share a Ride
In addition to having overall responsibility for the organisation, I also am vice chair of the Local Strategic
Partnership, Chair of the Older Person’s subgroup, Chair of the Transport Subgroup and sit on the Executive
Group. I am also on the board of bassac (the British Association of Settlements and Social Action Centres)
which provides me not only with frequent trips to London, but an opportunity to raise local issues at National
Level and ultimately the opportunity to inform and influence policy.
My background is quite varied, having taken a junior post with an industrial plant hire organisation when
leaving full time education before progressing through the organisation to office manager. I then managed a
small business before becoming the manager of a nursing home where my passion for working with older
people developed.
I have always been keen on professional development having completed many qualifications in everything from
supervisory management, teacher training through to subject specialism in both Literacy and Numeracy (at
Warwick University).
When I joined the Retford Action Centre 13 years ago the organisation looked very different to what it does
today. There were 3 part time staff working in 2 offices, sharing one computer. We had 8 volunteer drivers
and the training room housed 8 typewriters. It became apparent to me very quickly that there was a lot of
unmet need in Bassetlaw – particularly in services for older people, and so my work began.
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com
6

There have been many significant developments over the years including the formation of a drop in Resource
Centre in Bassetlaw, where anyone over 50 can call in for advice and information on a range of services for
older people. The project became so successful that we relocated this project to the Buttermarket in Retford in
May last year. This project is funded by the County Council, is delivered by us, a Voluntary Sector
organisation with the District Council providing the venue at peppercorn rent, and Bassetlaw Primary Care
Trust gave a significant contribution to the upgrade of the facilities. This is real partnership in action to bring a
local resource for local people.
I enjoy going to the Buttermarket as frequently as my work schedule allows, because this is where I get the
opportunity to chat with older people and discover what real issues people are facing on a daily basis, in order
that I can signpost to existing services or lobby for development of services.
I can typically, be serving lunch or washing up at the Buttermarket on one day and doing a presentation at a
transport conference, following the Transport Minister the following day. I was also invited to a reception with
Tony Blair (and Cherie) when he was Prime Minister in recognition of services to the Voluntary Sector. My
work is very varied!
Another source of variety I have recently been involved with was project managing the relocation of the
Retford Action Centre to our new building in January this year. I was involved in drawing up the plans,
meeting with building control through to painting the walls. So we now have a wonderful new building and
working environment. The fully DDA compliant (accessible) building with full internet and intranet facilities
really does bring us right into the present century, and staff, volunteers and service users are really pleased with
the results.
My work as a basic skills tutor, brings another dimension to the work I do. I lesson plan, teach and produce
differentiated resources for a group of individuals keen on personal development at their own level. This
ranges from a student wanting to achieve level 2 qualifications to enable them to access a course to further their
learning, to individuals who are unable to read and write. It is extremely satisfying to see someone achieve
their goal, or to witness the look on an individual’s face when they have read a sentence for the first time.
I am very fortunate both at the Retford Action Centre and the WEA to have a very capable, dedicated and
passionate staff team working with me, without which my work would not be so manageable nor enjoyable.
So, what does the future hold? …. Well I guess you will just have to watch this space!
If you would like to share your working experience please contact:
Jayne Bullock on 01777 709650 or
email: jbullock@retfordactioncentre.org.uk
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com
7

STEERING GROUP
Notts Fire & Rescue Service
Robyn Ellis
Police
Kelly Woodward
01909 500999
Community Outreach Advisor
Laura Goad
01777 709650
CONTACTS
County Contact
17b The Square
Retford
DN22 6DB
Tel: 01777 713800
Fax: 01777 713810
E-mail: contact.retford@nottscc.gov.uk
Jayne Bullock
First Contact Co-ordinator
Retford Action Centre
Canal Street
Retford
DN22 6EZ
Tel: 01777 709650
E-mail: jbullock@retfordactioncentre.org.uk
DYNAH
Michael Harrod
01909 478913
Bassetlaw Community Car
Scheme
Jayne Bullock
01777 709650
Mine of Information
Kath Hobart
01777 870040
Adult Social Care & Health
Denise Anderson-Moll
01909 535540
Pension Service
Bev Pearson
0115 9428327
Bassetlaw PCT (Falls Team)
Rachel Atkinson
01777 712960
A1 Housing
Peter Exley / Julie McGeever
Tel: 01909 533207
Retford Action Centre
Lynn Tupling
01777 709650
Bassetlaw District Council
Wendy Taylor
01909 533250
Energy Saving Trust
Denise Marsden
0115 9597701
Preventative Adaptations
A1 Adaptations
01909 53 5128
A1 Home Call – Alarm Service
Elizabeth Erye / Lorraine Brunt
01909 533192
Helen Houghton
PCT
01777 863578
PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com
8