Service description
Bishop Creighton House - Homeline is funded by Hammersmith & Fulham. Services delivered are:
Telephone befriending - a friendly chat and emergency follow-up if the person doesn't answer the phone, daily, two or three times a week, or monthly, as requested, also available on bank holidays such as Christmas and New Year.
Casework support through project worker, e.g., unpaid fines/bills, help accessing more appropriate services, advocacy, referrals to safeguarding teams, support with completing forms, and help to recover from acute events and become self-reliant.
Home visiting service for the most isolated clients, usually once a week, a matched volunteer befriender will visit them at home. Volunteers will promote regular exercise through assistance with walking outdoors, wheelchair pushing to keep older people active and linked into their local community, assistance with problem solving through sign-posting, information provision and some practical help.
Monthly lunches with supported community transport for those who need assistance.
Other social events in partnership with schools or other local organisations .
Occasional trips with supported transport for those who need assistance.
Quarterly newsletters with health advice, information about local events and support
Bi-monthly IT classes at BCH offering internet access opportunities with volunteer and tutor support.
Bi-monthly exercise classes at BCH offering gentle seated exercises, stretching, toning and relaxation techniques.
Funded until
31 March 2025
Annual funding level
£65,000
In the past year...
The service was in high demand and continued wherever possible, had to reduce social events and home visits, but considerably increased telephone contacts and services to shielded and isolating people.
Casework interventions and informal advocacy also exceeded their targets considerably instead of the rquired 800, 1300 pieces of staff casework were carried out.
Service Users attended the Homeline steering group, helping influence the service and increasing contact with services and groups. Clients and volunteers have met weekly online since November 2020.
Extra 'Coronavirus-response' funding from London Community Response Fund and Big Lottery was used for food deliveries, prescription collections and emotional and practical support during the pandemic.
Number of residents supported
377 (a considerable increase form a normal year, where it would be around 300)
Use of volunteers
110 volunteers delivered 10,000 hours. This is the equivalent to £108,500, if the London Living Wage is applied to the volunteering hours.
Outcomes achieved
Service users say they are more aware of and able to use IT to maintain their independence.
Service users indicate that phone calls from Homeline maintain or improve their emotional health.
Service users receiving support with walking/wheelchair walks say this has improved or maintained their physical or emotional health.
Service users report feeling less isolated and having more social contact.
Volunteers indicate that volunteering has had a positive impact on their lives. · Service users say they feel involved in and have influenced how Homeline is run.
Service users indicate feeling more involved in and able to influence local services, they are supported to access information and to make informed choices.
Funding raised
£48,000. Some of this is 'coronavirus-response' funding from London Community Response Fund and Big Lottery.
Future plans
The pandemic has shown that now, more than ever, there is a need for befriending services for older, isolated people. Homeline aims to expand as an essential service for vulnerable H&F residents, with more phone calls, more home visits and eventually, a resumption of social events at the BCH Community Centre.