Funding for community based care
A new project to deliver a community based home care system has been awarded funding by Arwain Sir Benfro. The PIP Project is the first local community based project in Wales and the UK attempting to integrate domiciliary services with voluntary services, and promote well-being and self-help.
Arwain Sir Benfro – the Local Action Group (LAG) for Pembrokeshire, administered by PLANED have provided funding of £27,457.93 to Solva Care for Prevention, Integration, Partnership or PIP for short. This is funded through the LEADER programme, which is part of the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, Funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
Mollie Roach, Chair of Solva Care said: “Our project is considered to be a unique and innovative project in the UK. It is often described as a ‘bottom up’ project because it was set up by the community, in response to the expressed needs of the community, to enhance health and wellbeing.
“We want to enable older residents to stay in their own homes, remain part of the community, help to prevent isolation and loneliness and provide support and respite for carers. The PIP Project works on aspects of mental, physical and social health. Because we are locally based, we know the people we are working with and can offer an immediate response, with continuity of care and a flexible, problem solving approach.”
Buddig Meredith, Project Officer said: “This is just one example of the great projects being delivered in the county. PIP is really exciting as it brings to life the idea of cooperation, working with third sector groups, statutory services, the local surgery, school, local clubs and groups to build up a programme of activities to support the programme of preventative health and social care measures.
“It will be exciting to see the outcome of the project and how it can be shared to help support and encourage other small rural communities seeking to set up their own community based care delivery system.”
PLANED, now celebrating its 30th year, has helped communities in Pembrokeshire to access over £25m worth of funding during that time.
Arwain Sir Benfro is currently supporting over 60 project ideas from local community groups, organisations and businesses. This includes all kinds of activity: mentoring, training, feasibility studies or pilot projects that test an innovative new idea. We also support projects that improve local skills, make better use of a local resource or realise the economic potential of part of the locality leading to a ‘new’ outcome or product.”
Arwain Sir Benfro is the Local Action Group for Pembrokeshire, it brings together a mix of local community representatives, business, third sector, local authority partners. The Group designed and is now implementing the Local Development Strategy for Pembrokeshire. The group is supporting projects with LEADER funds, which test new ideas that benefit the county and contribute to a competitive, productive and sustainable local economy.