Agenda item

The Committee received a report which provided an update on the Thriving Communities Programme and, in particular, the initial phase of the Social Prescribing Innovation Partnership.

The report outlined the Oldham Model whereby the Council and its partners were committed to a cooperative future and the Oldham Plan which set out the Oldham Model for delivering tangible and sustained change.  The Thriving Communities element of the model would deliver the common objectives of the health and social care integration, Oldham Cares.  The programme would deliver £9m plus of reduced demand in the health and care system as well as delivering wider benefits to Oldham residents around improvements to their general physical and mental health and wellbeing.

The Social Prescribing Network was highlighted which bridged the gap between medical care and the community.  It was estimated that there were more than 700 community groups across Oldham delivering close to 1000 activities, events and positive interventions / support for residents.  In Oldham West since January 2018 in excess of 250 people had been supported since January 2019.  The network was helping people turn their lives around and work alongside existing services.

A three-year contract had been initiated in April 2019 which had been commissioned via an Innovation Partnership which was a new model of commissioning that allowed the approach to be iterated and evolved through co-production with residents and a higher emphasis on social value.  A ‘Care Champion’ model was being tested in Cluster East which would see the development of peer networks for patients who have common illnesses attached to surgeries.  Oldham residents could also directly refer themselves via the Oldham Cares website.  Referrals and connections into community support had dramatically ramped up as the model was operating borough wide and three times the levels predicted in the business case.

Social Prescribing data was captured from interactions and trackers in the Social Prescribing network and work was ongoing to address obtaining timely health data.  The report reflected referral sources.

Fast Grants were outlined in the report which commenced in July 2019 and would deliver £60k each year into grassroots community groups.  The next phase had been launched with over 40 applications received.  Members were informed about the Social Action Fund which would commission five medium-sized projects and included the Oldham BAME Consortium, Wellbeing Leisure, Oldham Play Action Group & Wifi, Street Angels and Groundwork.

The Health Improvement Workstream and Thriving Communities had agreed to merge to give a stronger voice to earlier intervention and prevention to unpick system wide issues like obesity and oral health. 

Members were informed about workforce development which would develop a common way for staff to work across organisational boundaries in a strength-based way.  Workforce training would be made available to community groups who could benefit. 

Members were informed on the stronger focus on evidence and evaluation with the Thriving Communities index which provided insight into where positive and negative norms lay within the borough.  The index was available to members.  Members engagement on the programme was also outlined in the report.

The Committee were informed that five clusters went live in July and the number of referrals had increased without having to access professional help.  The number at present was almost 300 from across all clusters.  The number 1 reason for referral was loneliness / social isolation and the second was mental wellbeing.  Alongside advocating social care transformation was good community development work and it was important that organisations had the right amount of support and development.  Work was being undertaken with Community Development Workers.  Investment to the sector was important.  Projects had now been awarded funding and started to deliver.  The governance group had now merged with public health improvement group. 

Members sought clarification on the primary care referral route and referrals from social care and how residents would find out about self-referrals.   Members were informed that in the pilot phase there had been conversations with residents in places such as GP offices and handed out leaflets as well as using social media.  Word of mouth was also key.

Members asked that as the voluntary sector was an integral part of the scheme, how would the sector be supported as well as investment.  Many organisations involved residents who were retired who provided a degree of expertise.  Members asked about the use of these resources and if a meeting / workshop would assist in pulling various groups together, identify most significant issues and develop a framework.  Members were advised of ongoing community work and workforce development.  Members were also informed of work undertaken with the National Lottery.

Members enquired how health and wellbeing outcomes were addressed.  Members were informed data showed 157 connections and 90 different groups and organisations but needed to be careful not to overwhelm some organisations.

Members asked about support for hard to reach groups.  Members were informed of link workers and work to ensure the workforce was representative of the communities and support provided by those who were bilingual, shared the same experiences as well as being approachable and accessible and how organisations worked with residents who had relationships on those communities such as key groups who supported women through a trusted relationship.  A peer approach could be looked at.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The progress on the Thriving Communities Programme be noted.

2.       A discussion on the role of the voluntary sector with the Chair and Vice Chair be organised.