York’s first Talking Point, a different way for residents to meet and engage with council adult social care staff, opened at Lidgett Grove Methodist Church in Acomb on Wednesday 28 March. Residents can now access information, advice and support from council care workers in their own neighbourhood, as well as learning more about local activities and resources.
The initiative is part of City of York Council’s future focus programme, which looks at new ways to make adult care more accessible and locally focussed. Residents in Acomb, Westfield and Holgate who contact adult social care can now be offered an appointment to meet with social care staff at Lidgett Grove, or they can drop in to the community cafe during the morning and see a worker when available.
The Lidgett Grove Talking Point is the first of several which are planned for across the city as the programme develops. Similar hubs have proven to be successful across the country, with areas including Derby, Leeds, Shropshire and Somerset reporting better experiences and outcomes for residents.
Acomb Ward councillor Keith Myers said: “It’s a big plus for us to have this pilot taking place in Acomb. The Talking Point hub will make it easier for residents to access the support they need and I hope it also might help with the problems of loneliness and social isolation. The cafe is open to everyone, it’s a place where people of all ages can meet up over a coffee and where they can find out what’s going on in the Acomb area. Access to social care staff is flexible, hopefully leading to the best of both worlds- earlier intervention with residents who need our help and a chance for people to get out into the community. I look forward to stopping by frequently to see how things are going.”