Volunteer service to help combat isolation
Free community action scheme
VOLUNTEERS are signposting Gosport residents towards helpful services in a bid to combat isolation and uncertainty.
In December, Gosport Voluntary Action’s Community Compass service developed from the charity’s previous Surgery Signposting Project.
This free community service is currently available by telephone and is for anyone in Gosport who needs to speak to someone who has the time to listen with compassion.
Many are unsure what services are currently available for them to access, as the majority of support services are only available remotely.
Community Compass is proving valuable during Covid-19 by helping people with anxiety and depression improve their health and wellbeing.
Angela Gill, project manager, said: ‘Now more than ever GVA’s Community Compass is needed to help local people at one of the most challenging and frightening times in many people’s lives.
‘The social and mental health support needs will be there long after lockdown ends.’ The original and unique partnership project started with Clinical Commissioning Group funding. The service was based within the Willow Group to provide support for patients across all Gosport’s surgeries.
More recently, financial support has been provided by Gosport Borough Council and by some of Gosport’s Hampshire county councillors to ensure the service continues during the Covid19 pandemic.
Adrian Federico, clinical practice pharmacist at The Willow Group, said: ‘As a clinician it is hard to know exactly what is available locally, or we don’t have the time to properly discuss these in an appointment.
‘The signposters offer their expertise in this and their valuable time, which is a great way of supporting people and get them to connect with the local community and local services.’
To access the service either use the referral form at gva. org.uk or email Angela Gould on sspgosport@gva.org.uk
You can also phone 07578 509079 Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm.