Agenda item

The Call Care Service was established in 1987 by ex-Mayor Roger Winter

who took the business proposal to the county council.

· Previously sheltered housing used to have wardens who would be

responsible for residents. This was now not sustainable.

· Northampton Borough Council was one of the first councils to establish an

alternative.

· The Call Care Service answers call for Northampton Borough Council.

They receive calls from charities; sheltered housing and support people in

their own homes to live independently. Their customers range from 30

years to 100 upwards. They support people with epilepsy, learning

difficulties and vulnerable people.

· The Call Care Service is based in the Guildhall, Northampton.

· Their aim is to enable a quick response to help with the need/issue. All

calls are answered within a minute.

Discussions took place around older people who have the service but do not

use it as they don’t want to put anyone out or want to remain independent.

Louise said that they have come across this a lot and they encourage people

by phoning them on a monthly basis to test the equipment so they get in the

habit of using this.

Costs for the service are:

Installation charge: £60.00

Bogus caller: £50.00

Smoke Alarm: £60.000

Weekly rental for the unit and to maintain: £4.60

People can have the choice of what services they would like and if they have

personal budgets they can use this.

Their highest priority is for smoke alarms. They have a skilled team who ask

3 times if there is a fire. They also receive a lot of comfort calls for example

people with dementia who may have received a council tax bill or letter etc

and are worried about it or people who call them just to ask for the time.

If emergency services are called and this turns out to be a false alarm then

people are not penalised for this.

Clients with dementia: Louise suggested that with people with dementia use

their services as early as possible. If they don’t understand how to use their

services, then they will not really use it.

Q. If someone is isolated, how will they be able to provide a contacts list?

A. They are piloting this at the moment. For the Keysafe service a contact is

required. The Call Care Service can help with finding contacts ie

hairdresser etc. If no response is received they will send the police for a

welfare check.

Q. Do the Call Care service have other languages other than English

A. People who don’t normally speak English usually have a contact for

someone who does.

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The group discussed the need for volunteers who could provide a befriending

service and volunteers who could also speak another language. Volunteers

are reassuring and they don’t leave the older people feeling bad.

Q. What is the process for people who use other private services ie pendants

A. If they are happy with the service then don’t change. If they would like

additional services such as bogus caller/keysafe then they can help to

support this or there are other charities that can help.

If any groups would like a presentation or would like the Call Care team to

attend any of their events then contact Louise Musson,

lmusson@northampton.gov.uk.