Working together to help people stay home this winter

It has been a year since the launch of a range of community services designed to support people to stay home and stay well.

The Community Gateway, Hospital to Home service and network of community hubs across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been operating for more than a year and have helped thousands of people stay happy and healthy in their local community.

The Community Gateway is a partnership of more than 50 VCSE organisations working with NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The service can help with personalised plans, coordinating appropriate packages of support, discharging plans to help people get home from the hospital, mental health support, community activities and wider winter support including hot food and warm spaces using the network of community hubs.

As well as this, the network offers prevention and anticipatory care, personalised ‘what matters to you’ conversations, admission avoidance advice, and Falls Prevention services.

The Community Gateway is open every day of the year, including Christmas day, from 8am to 8pm to help members of the public as well as staff and volunteers across the health and care system, know what community support is available to help with people’s health and wellbeing.

You can speak to trained staff and find local support to suit your needs by calling 01872 266383 or emailing [email protected].

You can also download a range of assets to help to promote the Gateway to communities you work with. Get in touch with us if you would like some printed postcards.

Age UK Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Volunteer Cornwall and The CHAOS Group have been working in partnership to provide Hospital to Home Services in community hospitals in Cornwall.

Supported by NHS staff, local community hubs and care providers, the service continues to offer person-centred support to people and families who need help.

The service aims to reduce hospital admissions by previding practical solutions and support plans to improve physical and emotional wellbeing, and alleviate anxiety, loneliness and social insolation.

Read some incredible case studies in the latest quarterly report here

Community hubs are places that provide support and resources for their communities. Hubs rely on organisations working together to identify the best support available for people at a local level. A community hub can be a building or space, or a network of people who offer safe places for community members. Here, they can find help, advice, support, and join in activities.

Working in partnership with VCSE partners and NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the network of hubs offers a chance for people to get help and support with their mental and physical health and wellbeing including tackling loneliness and isolation by offering activities that bring people together at place.

An evaluation report by charity Helpforce, recently found that the hub network alleviates pressure on NHS services by helping people stay well in their local community

This year there are more than 40 hubs operating as part of the network, which is supported by Volunteer Cornwall.

Here you can find a map of where the hubs are located which includes details of location, opening times and the kind of activities and services on offer. The map also includes details of other warm spaces who offer support to people during the difficult winter months.