Council pledges continued support for older people

The results of a tendering exercise for the community self-help schemes known as ‘neighbourhood networks’ in Leeds will be announced this week.

The tendering process was set up to make sure that all the networks deliver the same high standards of support and achieve the best possible outcomes for older people in the city.

Over 40 organisations were invited to bid for five-year contracts, which if successful, will give them greater security to plan ahead and develop their services knowing that they have long-term funding, particularly in the current uncertain financial climate.

Leeds neighbourhood networks have gained national acclaim for their work in supporting older people and helping them to stay in their own homes, living independently for as long as possible, and were also praised in the Audit Commission's 'Under Presssure' report, which was published last week. They organise a range of activities like help with gardening, DIY, shopping, exercise, classes, housing and money advice. They are voluntary support organisations, mostly charities, and are mainly run by volunteers.

The council provided funding to help with the initial set up of the networks in 1993 and, along with NHS partners, have continued to fund them on an annual basis ever since. The schemes accept referrals from adult social care and health services, and can be accessed by any older person.

Neighbourhood networks currently provide support to around 25,000 older people in the city. The council and it’s NHS partners have pledged to continue to invest in these networks and the older people they help by spending over £1.7million per annum for the next five years. An additional £360k has been put into the neighbourhood network budget for the next financial year.

Councillor Peter Harrand, executive board member with responsibility for adult social care said:
“The award of new long term contracts to these organisations is confirmation of the council’s pledge to continue supporting older people in Leeds.

“Neighbourhood networks do a tremendous job and currently support around 25,000 older people in the city. These new contracts will formalise our arrangements with them and secure their long-term future by moving them on from hand to mouth funding to the security of long-term contracts.

“It will give them the confidence to develop their businesses and tailor their services even more closely to the unique needs of their local communities.

“Leeds network of neighbourhood organisations is the envy of towns and cities from all over the country, who are keen to learn from our work. These new contracts will enable them to achieve new levels of excellence for the benefit of older people in the city.”

ENDS
Notes to editors
The decision about which organisations have been successful in the tendering process will be announced w/c 22 February. The decision will not become effective until 12 March 2010.

Council funding for neighbourhood networks will be £1,716,000 per annum for the next five years. Total annual funding per annum will be £1,982,000 including cash from NHS.

For media enquiries, please contact;
Claire Macklam, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1578
Email: claire.macklam@leeds.gov.uk