Community Resource Team (CRT)
The CRT is a small community-based service which aims to support services which enable older Hackney residents to lead independent lives, free from isolation and social exclusion. The team works with volunteers to befriend older people in their own homes and by telephone.
We also provide basic computer training and weekly diet and well-being sessions for people over 50.
We also work with community and faith groups to provide culturally appropriate activities throughout the year along with many health and social events and activities for Hackney residents in the annual Hackney Festival for Older People.
The Team also runs a wheelchair and escort service called ‘Two’s Company’, where volunteers take individuals out in their wheelchairs or escorts older people to, for example, medical appointments or social events.
These services encourage and empower older people to take part in events and activities happening in the local community. Some of these people may have previously been excluded from such activities and this may sometimes be due to the fear of, or having been a victim of crime.
The Befriending Scheme
If you are aged over 50, housebound, lonely and isolated, you may benefit from one of the Community Resource Team Befriending Services. You can receive befriending in your home or over the telephone from one of our trained volunteers. The various services provided within the Scheme are -
- Home Visiting
This service involves one of our trained volunteers visiting you in the comfort of your own home on a regular basis for up to two hours per week to give you companionship. - Ring-A-Round
This service involves one of our trained volunteers telephoning you on a weekly basis for a brief chat. - Teleconferencing (Tele Link Up 2 U)
This service links together up to seven older people for group discussion on topics of their own choice. You are connected using special Telecommunication equipment to link each person onto one telephone line. A volunteer facilitates and guides the discussion group ensuring that each person is welcomed and contributes to discussions. - Two’s Company Service
This service provides a trained volunteer to accompany you on visits to the hospital, GP, the local park or shops both in and out of the borough. You will need to register if you are not currently receiving a service from the Befriending Scheme (see Community Resource Team contact details below). - Wheelchair Service
This service serves the needs of our service users who are dependent on wheelchairs for going out. Volunteers trained in wheelchair handling take out our wheelchair users when the weather is good. - Card Service
This service involves sending out cards to all our service users and volunteers for birthdays, hospital admissions, bereavement and other occasions.
Volunteering
We recruit volunteers who will offer companionship to older people who may be isolated, lonely or housebound. Volunteers need to have a genuine interest in the well-being of older people and be able to offer a minimum of one and half to two hours per week of volunteering time.
All volunteers are security checked via the Criminal Record Bureau (CRB), in addition training, support and supervision are given to all volunteers regularly, with counselling support when necessary.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with the Community Resource Team Befriending Scheme please give us a call on the number below.
For more information contact the Community Resource Team - see details on the right or email: rosemarie.parchment@hackney.gov.uk
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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