Today staff and the people we support through day opportunities came together to celebrate and thank our long serving Freemantle Day Opportunities Manager, Niki Turner.

Niki has been part of the Social Care in Action team for the past 19 years helping us to support vulnerable people within our communities. Having started her career with Social Care in Action in 1999 as a Bank Care Worker, Niki progressed throughout her career to Freemantle Day Opportunities Manger. Niki played a key role going above and beyond to organise group activities with our other centres, allowing the people we support to meet new people within their community. Niki also organised a Christmas party to bring together the people who we support who were spending Christmas alone. Through Niki’s outstanding work she has supported us in helping people to live the life they want, in the way they want.

Alison Fisher, Day Opportunities Manager said “Thank you Niki for your dedication and commitment to the people we support over the 19 years that you have worked for Social Care in Action.  It has been a pleasure to work with you over the last 18 months and more so in the last year, especially with all the outings and group events you have been organising.  You will be sorely missed by the people we support and the staff, I wish you all the best for the future.”

To celebrate Niki’s time at Social Care in Action, the SCA day opportunities centres came together at AFC Totton where she was presented with flowers.

Social Care in Action Group have been running Cobbett Hub and Library in Bitterne after saving it from closure by Southampton City Council since June 2016. This year, as in previous years the library has been encouraging it’s younger members to keep up their reading skills over the summer break from school by offering the Summer Reading Challenge. This is a national initiative where children are asked to read six books over the summer break – for each book read they receive a sticker and on completion of all six books they are presented with a medal and certificate.

The theme for the reading challenge this summer was ‘Mischief Makers’ inspired by the much-loved children’s title Beano which celebrates its 80^th anniversary in 2018. This theme must have really struck a chord with the young people of Bitterne as more than double the number of medals have been awarded this summer compared to last summer.

Wendy Lee, Head of Health and Wellbeing at Social Care in Action Group said ‘We were delighted to see so many young faces come through the doors of Cobbett Hub and Library this summer. Reading is such an important skill not only for academic achievement but across all areas of development and wellbeing. We are so pleased that these young people felt able to visit our library and we hope that they continue to visit us as we open up the library and community spaces to more activity and interest groups for all ages.’

To celebrate the achievements of the young readers a medal ceremony was held at Cobbett Hub and Library on Saturday 22 September at 10.45am. The Mayor of Southampton Cllr Stephen Barnes-Andrews attended to present the official reading challenge medals to those who completed their challenge with us. Friends and family came along to watch, refreshments and cake were provided.

Southampton charity Social Care in Action has teamed up with AFC Totton to pilot new service focused on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle from September 5^th

Social Care in Action (SCiA) a successful, not-for-profit group of social enterprises focused on health and wellbeing, is proud to announce a working partnership with AFC Totton which will see the launch on September 5^th of a new day service provision focused on healthy living and active lifestyle through recreational opportunities and low impact sport.

The programme will be delivered by AFC Totton’s community arm, Stags in the Community, who have worked closely with SCiA in the past year on other programmes, including the Pie Friday Community lunch which sees 30+ people from across Southampton venture out to the Testwood Community Stadium once per month for lunch prepared by AFC Totton’s legendary Roly Poly Goalie, Wayne Shaw.

This new service will be piloted from September to December with those coming along taking part in some different activities each day that are designed to be inclusive and accessible for everyone while also demonstrating the value and ease of low impact recreational exercise on body, mind and soul.

Alison Fisher, Day Opportunities Manager at SCiA said: “Our aim is to support older people to remain active and independent, and this pilot will provide multiple activities, in a social setting.  It’s not just about providing health-related activities; it’s also tackling social isolation which can be a particular cause of poor health among vulnerable communities. “

AFC Totton Chaplain, and Stags in the Community Director, Simon Young, explains further:

“Earlier in the year, we set up a day where people who are predominantly isolated, marginalised or excluded within their own neighbourhoods could come and have a go at a number of different sports. The day included indoor games such as table tennis, boccia, beanbag basketball and even a simple game of catch with a tennis ball. Outdoors, despite the rain, the bikes were a huge success and so the whole day inspired us to look together at new means, innovative means, of providing new opportunities.”

“AFC Totton is committed to not only the community but to being alongside the best of providers, and with SCiA we certainly have a group that is as dedicated to first class provision as we are. Above all, it’s about having some fun, and there will certainly be a lot of laughs along the way.”

Including lunch and transport, a place costs £50.  To request further information, or to book a place please call Alison Fisher on 023 8036 6663 or email hello@scagroup.co.uk

Southampton charity Social Care in Action has announced the appointment of Dan Freshwater as its new Chief Executive.

Social Care in Action (SCiA) a successful, not-for-profit group of social enterprises focused on health and wellbeing, is delighted to announce the appointment of Dan Freshwater as its new Chief Executive.

SCiA delivers care, health, transport, dentistry, training, counselling and advice services.  It also runs Fenwick, a health and wellbeing centre in the New Forest, and Cobbett Road Library in Southampton.  As a social enterprise, any profits are reinvested back into its services to ensure that the organisation can continue to help local communities.

Previously Dan was the CEO of the Wheatsheaf Trust, a local charity which supports individuals disadvantaged in the labour market by issues such as mental and physical health, housing, debt and low skills to find and sustain a job.

Les Judd, Chairman of the Board of Trustees SCiA Group, said: “Dan has a strong background working with both charitable and private sector organisations and we’re very pleased to announce him as our new chief executive. He joins a dynamic and dedicated team at an exciting time as we increase our impact as a social business.  All the staff are looking forward to working with him and driving the charity forward.”

Commenting on his appointment, Dan said: “I’m delighted to be joining Social Care in Action, and I’m already getting to know the team and understand the families and communities SCiA services serve. Working in the charitable sector is hugely rewarding and having the responsibility for a well-respected organisation with such a diverse range of services is both an honour and a rare privilege.”

On Wednesday 19th September local design and digital agency, Innovate Creative, will be ready to put your knowledge to the test by hosting a ‘Big Fat Quiz of September’ with all proceeds going to Social Care in Action. The evening will include a sumptuous hog roast BBQ and the chance to network in a relaxed environment.

The event is being held at the New Forest Pub in Ashurst from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

Innovate Creative’s John McMurray- Williams said: ‘We have been working with Social Care in Action for the last two years and I really believe in the work they do day in and day out. The team here at Innovate Creative are massively looking forward to not only the quiz but also the second and third part including Winchester Half Marathon and The Great South Run.’

Matthew Gwynn, Fundraising Officer for Social Care in Action Group said: We are very grateful that Innovate Creative have chosen to host such a great event for us. The monies raised at the event will make a huge difference to the lives of the people we support. We can’t wait to get a team together and show them who the real masterminds are!”

Any funds generously raised on the evening will go towards our children’s library project at Cobbett Hub and Library in Bitterne, which is a space for the whole community to enjoy. Social Care in Action is currently fundraising towards new equipment to ensure that local children can enjoy a fit-for purpose, versatile and modern space which will inspire learning and creativity through a range of fun new activities and clubs. 

If you don’t have your winning quiz team sorted, don’t worry, there will also be other solo attendees attending and additional ‘speed networking’ teams will be formed on the night.

Tickets are £15 on the night which includes your entry into the quiz and a hog roast dinner. Please bring cash on the night. Don’t forget to register your space via Innovate Creative’s website or Facebook page.

On Thursday 26 July 2018 Social Care in Action Group invited local residents to visit Cobbett Hub and Library to feedback on plans for the future of this community building. Children were treated to a show by magician Magic Jack, whilst Councillors and other members of the public were shown around the building. Opinions were asked on proposed changes to the Community Hub and Library to ensure it becomes a thriving space, for the whole community, fit for the future.

Cllr Keogh, Southampton City Council and Wendy Lee, Head of Health and Wellbeing at Social Care in Action discussing proposals for a new layout at Cobbett Hub and Library

Social Care in Action Group saved the library from closure by Southampton City Council in June 2016, and have been working hard to keep the library open as much as possible, including recruitment of a strong team of volunteers to help keep the doors open alongside charity staff.

Social Care in Action have worked with the Friends of Cobbett Road library to understand their vision for the hub and library and are now reaching out to other members of the Bitterne community to ask what would draw in people who may otherwise not visit the hub.

Wendy Lee, Head of Health and Wellbeing at Social Care in Action said: ‘Cobbett Hub and Library is a beautiful 1930s building that has a great history in Southampton, many people will recognise it due to the iconic statue of a woman choosing a book on the side of the building.

We would like to ensure Cobbett Hub and Library becomes a modern, thriving space used by all members of the local community, and encourage as many people as possible to complete our online survey and visit us at our open event to discuss changes and fresh ideas in person’.

As part of this community consultation, we invite local members to take part in our online survey to share their views and let us know what the barriers are to people using the hub. The survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QTJZDK7

With UK records being broken this summer and reaching highs of 35 C and temperatures expected to keep rising, the heat is starting to take its toll, especially on the older members of our community.

Our day opportunities service has been helping the people we support to stay cool this summer.

We have been offering extra fluids as well as fruit as an alternative to help keep everyone hydrated. Wet wipes have been put in the fridge to keep everyone refreshed and windows and doors have been opened when cooler outside, while keeping the blinds closed. In the afternoon we’ve been enjoying ice cream as a treat in this hot weather.

With the temperatures rising, we have had to make the difficult decision to close some of our centres early due to the temperature inside becoming too hot for the people attending that day.

Our Day Opportunities Manager, Alison, has spent time searching for air conditioning units to buy, however due to the demand they are now out of stock! Our mini buses have been making shorter, more frequent trips to reduce the length of time that everyone is on the buses.

Alison Fisher Day Opportunities Manager said “The teams have been assessing each day individually, on occasion the staff and drivers have been taking the people we support to the local parks to have ice cream in the shade and much needed fresh air, rather than staying indoors where it is hotter. They are all working very hard to keep the people we support and staff hydrated and healthy over the last few weeks and we will continue to put them first as the hot weather continues.”

To find out more about day opportunities and how we could support you or a loved one visit our page here.

This volunteer’s week 2018 we have been saying thank you to all of our volunteers across the Social Care in Action Group.

We are especially proud and thankful to those unsung heroes who have been volunteering with us for many years.  Ann Hunt has been volunteering at Holy Families Day Opportunities (formerly Woodside Day Centre) for over 10 years.

Holy Families Day Opportunities, provides tailor made care to support people to carry on living at home for as long as possible, helping individuals to feel part of a community and develop new friendships as well as giving essential respite to carers. When Ann is at Holy Families she helps with the activities at the day centre and supports trips out, makes and serves tea and cake and interacts with the customers.

Ann, volunteer at Holy Families said “My highlight of volunteering is seeing everyone happy and having a good day. To anyone who is thinking about volunteering I would say go for it! It gives me something to do and gets me out. ”

Gloria, Manager of Holy Families Day Opportunities said “Ann is with us twice a week and is very much valued as a member of our team. I’ve only known her since last November but she is an absolute asset.”

A Holy Families customer said “We love Ann and it wouldn’t be the same without her.”

Our volunteers are valued members of our organisation and without them we wouldn’t be able to reach and support as many people in the community.

To find out more about volunteering with Social Care in Action visit our volunteering page or email hello@sciagroup.co.uk

Over £86,000 awarded to local groups to support Southampton residents to become healthier than ever

Southampton Healthy Living, a service set up last year to support residents to live healthier lives, has just awarded over £86,000 to a number of local and community organisations.

Southampton City Council commissioned the innovative service last year in response to the increasing health inequalities across the city.

Southampton Healthy Living are supporting groups across the city to offer a range of ways that local people can find support to help tackle health issues such as weight loss, stopping smoking, becoming more physically active or reducing the amount of alcohol they consume.

Those organisations receiving large grants include Awaaz FM, who have been awarded funding to encourage listeners to stop smoking over the Ramadan period.

Ali Beg from Awaaz FM said ‘We have teamed up with Southampton Voluntary Services and Southampton Healthy Living to focus on promoting practical steps to help quit smoking. The Awaaz project will run during the month of Ramadan and use the Holy month as a precursor to help quit smoking. Ramadan provides an excellent opportunity to change one’s mindset and environment to quit smoking. Fasting forces a smoker to change his mindset, his environment and his habit. Most routines are broken for a good part of the day over the four weeks. We will use the month of Ramadan to provide support and practical tips for Muslim smokers who want to give up. The project aims at opening the doors to promoting and signposting to specialist services that are available to help quit smoking.’

Organisations such as Testland Hub, Solent Softball, Saints Foundation and Active Nation all have activities available to the public for free or at very small costs. Other funded groups such as No Limits, The Conservation Volunteers, Energise Me, Sembal House and The Wheatsheaf Trust are all embarking on projects with clients and service users or working with specific groups of people who suffer from health inequalities within the city.

Councillor Dave Shields, Cabinet member for Health and Community Safety said ‘I’d like to congratulate these community health grant recipients for their innovative approaches to making our communities healthier.  We’re all aware that, as a society, we are exercising less and eating more and that this is proving very destructive to our health. What these organisations are offering – fun and easy sport and physical activities in your local area, that are convenient to you—can help Southampton become a healthier city.’

Jo Ash, on behalf of Southampton Healthy Living said ‘Last year’s funding provided us with some really innovative and interesting ways to get people creating new healthy behaviours.

It has been great to see that our communities within Southampton are still full of brilliant ideas to provide easy, fun and engaging ways to get Southampton thinking healthy and we look forward to seeing the groups and their communities prosper with the funding over the next year’.

The grants were awarded at an event held on Monday 21 May 2018 where the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Stephen Barnes-Andrew along with Ruth Marriott, CEO of Social Care in Action presented representatives from each group with  a cheque.

If you would like to know more about each of the community funded projects, and how to get involved check out the Community Programmes section of the Southampton Healthy Living Website.  

On Thursday 24 May 2018 Innovate Creative are hosting a local networking event with other Hampshire based businesses at an informal F1 race evening. As well as being able to network with other Hampshire based businesses there will be simulated F1 racing.

 We are proud to be chosen as the charity guest for the evening. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm

Venue: The Race Centre, 17 Central Precinct, Chandlers Ford, SO53 2GB 

The event is free to attend but you do need to register here: https://bit.ly/2wSctzn