Over £19,000 awarded to local schemes that help the elderly

Community warden schemes in South Cambridgeshire are celebrating after receiving a share of £19,250 to support their projects and help older residents to live independently in their own homes and in the communities they know.

The latest schemes to benefit from South Cambridgeshire District Council’s warden scheme grant fund are:

Histon and Impington Community Warden scheme received £2,520

Linton Community Warden scheme received £2,500

Melbourn Mobile Warden scheme received £2,200

Milton Community Care scheme received £2,000

The Mordens & Litlington Mobile Warden scheme received £2,000

Teversham Community Warden scheme received £1,600

Swavesey Community Warden scheme received £1,240

Cottenham Mobile Warden scheme received £1,050

Harston & District Village Warden scheme received £850

Haslingfield Community Warden scheme received £250

A number of small villages grouped together shared £3,040. They are Balsham, Western Colville, West Wratting, Horseheath, West Wickham, Castle Camps and Shudy Camps

The warden grant fund was established to help finance new or existing schemes. Last year, grants helped to support over 300 local residents by part-funding the work of 12 schemes.

Schemes match elderly residents with a local warden, and, for a small charge, offer regular personal visits and telephone calls. These don’t replace social care services, but do provide additional support and peace of mind to residents and their families.

Wardens are trained to understand the needs of the people they visit and are able to advise what other services might be available to help them continue living happily in their own home. They may also help with tasks like light shopping, booking appointments, form-filling and picking up prescriptions.

Existing schemes are run by local communities, many with the support of Care Network or Age UK Cambridgeshire.

Councillor Mark Howell, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for community work, said: “Warden schemes play an important role in helping hundreds of residents to live independently in their homes and in the community they know, and which knows them. We appreciate that it can be tough for the community sector and these grants will be a welcome boost to local schemes that work extremely hard and do an excellent job delivering important services to our elderly residents.”

If you would like to know more about the schemes supported by Care Network and Age UK Cambridgeshire, know individuals who could benefit from this service, or you would like to consider setting one up in your area, please contact South Cambridgeshire District Council on Duty.Communities@scambs.gov.uk or 01954 713070.