Central Area Council - Reducing Loneliness and Social Isolation in Vulnerable Adults (Over 50 Years) and Older People

Within the overall context of Barnsley Council's Corporate Plan and a number of the key areas of change, Central Area Council wishes to procure a Provider to develop and deliver a service that addresses loneliness and isolation amongst adults (over 50 years) and older people who live in the five wards that make up the Central Area Council area. The wards are: Central, Dodworth, Kingstone, Stairfoot and Worsbrough.

This service should build on the work undertaken over the past 3 years by the current Provider and complement existing provision in the area. The service will increase the security, independence, resilience and health and wellbeing of adults and older people who are experiencing loneliness and isolation.

This approach, should in turn, contribute to a reduction in the need for Adult Social Care and other more costly services. In developing and delivering this Service, the Provider should ensure that it is contributing to the Council's Corporate priorities and achievement of outcomes.

The following key areas of change, as outlined in the Corporate Plan, should also be reflected: Early help, Area Councils, Driving Behaviour Change. Sustainability, community support, use of community assets, partnership working, self-reliance and reciprocity should be built into the service design and delivery.

Where needed, support should also be provided to help establish new groups and activities. Opportunities for recruiting and deploying new volunteers should also be incorporated, as should opportunities for work experience placements and apprenticeships.