News from our partners: Well-being & Independence Partnership – an exciting new collaboration for Shropshire
News from our partners Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin
Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin are delighted to announce an exciting new partnership, funded by Shropshire Council, which sees five voluntary sector organisations come together across Shropshire to develop a range of services promoting well-being and independence.
The Well-being & Independence Partnership (WIPS) comprises: Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin (Age UK STW), The Mayfair Centre, Oswestry Qube, Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) and Shropshire Rural Communities Charity (SRCC).
Heather Osborne, Chief Executive of Age UK STW, said:
“We are really delighted to secure this funding from the council and very excited to be working in this new partnership. As voluntary and community sector organisations we have always worked closely with one another, but this partnership provides the opportunity for us to take this to the next level, working together to provide, develop and improve services which will help people across Shropshire improve their well-being.”
A number of other organisations have expressed an interest in joining the partnership and the hope is that it will grow and develop for the future. A wide range of services will be provided by the partners including help at home, befriending, living well activities, day services and opportunities for volunteering.
WIPS partners.
Standing – l-to-r: Neil Evans, Commissioning manager, Shropshire Council; Daphne Simmons, Head of Service, SRCC; Councillor Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s former Cabinet member for adult social care, health and social housing; Nicola McPherson, Chief Officer, Mayfair Community Centre; Lynn Hensman, Operations Manager, RVS; Julia Baron, CEO, SRCC; Kate Garner, service manager – community partnerships, adult social care, Shropshire Council.
Seated – l-to-r: Laurel Roberts, Chief Officer, Qube; Kevin Moore, Director of Operations, Age UK STW; Heather Osborne, CEO, Age UK STW; Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for communities, place planning and regulatory services.
Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s former* Cabinet member for adult social care, health and social housing, said:
“Shropshire Council works closely with provider organisations, the voluntary and community sector and our residents to make sure we provide services that are effective and value for money. The services delivered by WIPS in communities across Shropshire are important and valuable, supporting people to stay well and independent at home – delaying their need for formal care and support. We are very pleased to be working with the WIPS consortium as all members have longstanding experience of working in our communities, understand them well and have some great ideas about making a difference to the lives of our residents.”
The new partnership officially commenced this week (on Monday 1 April 2019) and can be accessed directly to Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin on 01743 233123, through any of the other partners, or through the council’s First Point of Contact or Let’s Talk Local community hubs.
Further information
*This week Lee Chapman took up a new role as Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for organisational transformation and digital infrastructure. Dean Carroll has now taken up the role of Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care and climate change. Further information about the changes to Shropshire Council Cabinet can be found here: https://newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk/2019/03/changes-to-shropshire-councils-cabinet-announced/
