Neighbourhood Networks
Outcome/aim
The Neighbourhood Networks support older residents to live independently and to remain and participate in their communities through a range of activities and services. At the most recent monitoring (Jan-Mar 2022) the Neighbourhood Networks collectively reported a membership of 25,350 people and offered over 700 activities.
Background
Neighbourhood Networks have developed across Leeds since the first one was established in the 1980s responding to the need to focus on preventing illness and isolation and promoting health, wellbeing and independence supporting people in their communities.
Partially funded by Leeds City Council and the NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group, the Neighbourhood Networks consists of 37 locally defined areas covered by 31 independent voluntary organisations. This structure provides coverage to every part of the city, contributing to Leeds key ambitions of being the best city to grow old in and to be age friendly. All of the Neighbourhood Network schemes are supported by a mixture of staff and volunteers and are governed by local people representing the communities they serve. Through this local governance they provide direction and input which helps ensure the best outcomes that local older people want to achieve are delivered.
What has been delivered?
Rooted in their local communities, the networks have played an important role in helping older people (including during the Covid-19 pandemic) through a range of activities and services such as wellbeing checks, social and emotional support, befriending, help with shopping and meals and prescription collections, as well as distributing activity packs, digital inclusion, advice and advocacy.
At the most recent monitoring (Jan-Mar 2022) the Neighbourhood Networks collectively reported a membership of 25,350 people and offered over 700 activities.
What was the impact/next steps?
The networks have a national reputation for innovative new schemes tailored closely to the needs of local communities.
- Evaluation from 2017 showed that on average 88.8% of individuals either agreed or strongly agreed that their Neighbourhood Networks were helping them meet the given outcomes. These outcomes included: feel less lonely (91.3%); have the opportunity to share views and be heard (87.2%); have a choice of things to do (91.3%); be able to keep active (90.1%); take part in more social activities (84.6%), and; have somebody to rely upon to help resolve problems (88.1%) (data obtained from 1,202 service user questionnaire responses).
- Feedback from professionals (e.g. health, police, GPs, voluntary sector) also reiterated the value of Neighbourhood Networks. Out of the 88 responses received 98.6% stated they had heard of the Neighbourhood Networks, out of which 83.9% had made referrals to them. Experience of engaging with the Neighbourhood Networks was rated as positive with 91.9% saying engagement was good or very good.
- A Centre for Ageing Well evaluation in 2020 further highlighted the vital support the networks have provided for older people during the Covid-19 pandemic, adapting quickly to respond and support vulnerable and isolated communities, with some becoming community care hubs responsible for the co-ordination of voluntary action in their area.
- With the support of the Leeds City Council and Leeds Older People’s Forum jointly funded Third Sector Development Manager based at Leeds Older People’s Forum the next steps will be to help the Neighbourhood Networks embrace the next phase at the end of the pandemic. This will include responding to changing community needs and looking at ways that collaboration can strengthen the network’s coverage in support of the shared goals of making Leeds the best city to grow old in.