New Presto council support service is magic

Older and vulnerable people in Leeds are getting a helping hand around the home thanks to a new dedicated local support service.

Presto, a commercial project run and staffed by Leeds City Council, offers a combination of care and support packages designed to help people keep their independence around the house and in the community.

The service has been set up as part of Civic Enterprise Leeds, a company limited by shares and wholly-owned by the council, which allows it to trade its commercial and enterprise services externally.

After starting up in the Moor Allerton area earlier this spring, Presto is already working with a number of regular customers.

Services provided include cleaning, transport, a hot meals service and help with home maintenance, all available on a short and long term basis.

But a key part of Presto is also companionship, helping older residents to access social opportunities and assisting them to get out and about.

Members of the team can accompany customers on visits and appointments, help with shopping or just sit and share a cup of tea at home.

Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Leeds City Council’s executive member for health, wellbeing and adults, said:

“An increasing number of the older people we work with tell us that they want to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. We’re keen to help them to do that as much as we can and we’ve already made tremendous strides with that in communities across Leeds.

“But maintaining that independence while keeping up with the demands of a home can be difficult and Presto offers that crucial extra support where and when it’s needed most.

“The companionship element of Presto will also play a crucial role in our ongoing fight against the blight of loneliness.

“Social isolation can be hugely debilitating and have a serious impact on a person’s long term health and wellbeing. Having experienced staff who are able to take the time to build individual relationships with customers could make a vital difference to the lives of our residents."

Civic Enterprise Leeds employs more than 3,000 staff and also manages the council’s passenger transport services as well as the award-winning Community Meals Leeds scheme, which last year delivered almost 148,000 meals to vulnerable people around the city.

Councillor James Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for resources and strategy said:

“Civic Enterprise Leeds is at the forefront of our ambition to be a more enterprising council and allows us to put the knowledge and skills of council officers at the disposal of local residents for a competitive price.

“Thinking creatively and more flexibly in this way about how we trade our services commercially allows us to support our communities better and more efficiently, with any surplus money being reinvested into further improving council services.

“At a time when we are facing unprecedented budget pressures, it also enables us to raise vital extra income with which we can protect and maintain the services which we know are most important to the people of Leeds.”

For more details about Presto, visit http://www.leeds.gov.uk/civicEnterprise/Pages/Presto.aspx or contact the office on 0113-378-3750 or email: presto@leeds.gov.uk

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 224 3937

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk