Although celebrations and events for Older People’s Day came to a close last month, the help and support for older people doesn’t stop there. Here, we take look at some of the useful services that are available from East Sussex County Council’s adult social care team all year round.

 

Health in mind

This is the free NHS service for people experiencing emotional stress and symptoms of anxiety or low mood. Although the term mental health will mean different things to different people, we all have mental health just as we all have physical health and struggling from time to time is common and perfectly normal.

Worries about keeping well and the impact of isolation have affected many of us and might have had an impact on your emotional health too. You don’t need to see your GP to make a referral as you can self-refer. If you need assistance, family or friends or professionals you’re in contact with can also make referrals for you.

Visit www.healthinmind.org.uk  or call 0300 00 30 130 for more information.

Free warm home check

If you struggle to keep your home warm, the Warm Home Check Service can help!

They offer advice and can help you access useful support that’s available. If you’re on a low income you may also be eligible for a home check visit which includes:

  • Advice on getting help with the cost of heating your home
  • An assessment of your home and tips to keep it warm
  • Small improvement works or repairs

If you are on a low income and your home isn’t very energy efficient you could be eligible for a range of fully funded home insulation or low carbon heating improvements. Apply for a Warm Home Check today by visiting www.warmeastsussex.org.uk, calling 0800 464 7307 or texting WARM to 80011.

Scams awareness

It’s estimated that fraud losses in the UK amount to £190 billion every year. Unfortunately there have been more online scams in the past year than in the previous three years combined, with coronavirus and health-themed cybercrime driving the increase.

In addition to the financial impact, scams can have a severe emotional and psychological impact upon victims. Anyone can be a victim irrespective of age, gender, education or economic background.

The East Sussex Against Scams Partnership (ESASP) are dedicated to taking a stand against scams with the aim of making East Sussex a scam-free county. If you are interested in joining the fight against scams please visit safeineastsussex.org.uk for further information.

Care For The Carers

Do you look after someone who couldn’t manage without your help?

Care For The Carers are here for all unpaid carers in East Sussex, from all age groups and communities. They provide information, support services and opportunities to connect with other carers. If you care for a friend, relative or neighbour who due to illness, disability, mental ill health, frailty or addiction could not cope without your support, they’d love to hear from you. No one left to care alone.

Visit www.cftc.org.uk for more information. Alternatively, call 01323 738390, text 07860 077300 or email info@cftc.org.uk

Free home safety visits

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is committed to helping people stay safe in their homes.

One of the ways they do this is by carrying out free Home Safety Visits with specially trained advisors. They can offer a wide range of advice around home safety, as well as checking smoke alarms and discussing specialist equipment as appropriate.

Their home safety visits enable them to identify any existing risks and see what can be done to reduce them. They’ll also check if there are working smoke alarms in the home to provide the earliest possible warning of fire.

For more information visit www.esfrs.org or call 0800 177 7069 or email homefire.safetyvisits@esfrs.org

IT For You

If you want to take your first steps into the digital world, IT For You can help. They are offering free 60 minute one-to-one sessions where you can learn things like how to use a computer, improve and refresh your skills, get help with emails, get advice on staying safe online and much more.

Come to as many or few sessions as you need. Call 01323 463759 to find out more or book your place.

Community Transport

Community Transport (CT) is a service which provides safe, accessible and affordable transport to the community whilst combatting the problems of social exclusion, isolation and loneliness. There are several community transport schemes operating in East Sussex and they operate all year round. Destinations include hospitals and doctors’ surgeries, shopping centres, workplaces and places of entertainment.

Find details of all the different schemes (including phone numbers) on the East Sussex County Council community transport webpage. If you don’t have internet access, call 0345 6080194 for advice on schemes in your area.

Domestic abuse service

Sometimes people later in life who are not in a happy and/or supportive relationship find it more difficult to access support. It may be that your partner or family member is controlling your life by making all the major decisions. It may be that they are harming you in some way, but it is never too late to seek support to be safe and happy. You always have options and choices.

Whether you are caring for someone, being cared for or have an illness or disability yourself and are dependent on someone for your care, support is available.

Change, Grow, Live provide specialist community support to those who have experienced domestic abuse in East Sussex. CGL support people experiencing domestic abuse to create an individual safety plan, whether they choose to remain or leave the relationship. Please contact 0300 323 9985 to speak with someone. For more information visit www.changegrowlive.org/domestic-abuse-service-east-sussex

Hourglass is the UK-wide charity dedicated to stopping the abuse of older people. 1 in 5 people have experienced abuse as an older person. Hourglass is launching a specialist domestic abuse support service to support older victims of domestic abuse. For any older people experiencing abuse or those concerned about an older person, you can access support and advice by calling 0808 808 8141. You can also get in touch via text on 07860 05290 or instant messenger on the website at wearehourglass.org