Rutland Community Spirit

Rutland Community Spirit was launched in April 2008 as a result of a two-year grant from Rutland County Council. The aim of the project is to reach out to vulnerable and isolated people who are not already being helped by County Council or voluntary sector services and who do not have any close family support.

Through the project, the RCC want to ensure that:
• The people concerned continue to live safe and healthy lives
• They know that services and help are available to them, and they know how to get hold of those services
• A local community feels able to keep a neighbourly eye on isolated individuals living amongst them, whilst respecting their independence

The Project consists of a full-time Project Manager based in the Volunteer Centre in Oakham. Rutland Community Spirit Champions working part-time,work with clients and also help the Project Manager establish a support network of volunteers in their community and to seek out those in need of help and advice. Rutland has an excellent track record of voluntary support and as such, the team is able to work alongside Parish Councils and other local groups and individuals; ensuring that the service reaches out to a wide spectrum, further enhancing existing services and also developing new initiatives.

One such initiative is the new inter-agency electronic referral system called the First Contact Scheme. An initial assessment questionnaire is used by partners which means that a vulnerable adult can be referred to 10 different agencies at one time, including the Fire Service, AGE Concern, CAB, Adult Social Services and the Police.

The early success of Rutland Community Spirit has lead to additional funding being secured to take the Rutland project to the end of March 2011. Work is already underway to look at rolling Community Spirit out to the whole of Leicestershire and Rutland in the long term. Sue Renton, Rutland Community Spirit Project Manager, is always looking for motivated individuals who would be willing to give up some of their time to help in their community. If you have got some time to spare but cannot commit to a set number of hours a week, you might like to volunteer. Full preparation and awareness raising sessions will be provided.

Contact details:
Sue Renton, Project Manager
Rutland Community Spirit
Rutland Volunteer Centre
Barleythorpe Road
Oakham
LE15 6QH
Tel/Fax: 01572 720282
e-mail: srenton@ruralcc.org.uk

Rutland Community Spirit has benefitted from additional funding provided by the East Midlands Development Agency and the Welland SSP with support from Community Lincs.

Good Neighbour Scheme now launched

The Good Neighbour Scheme, which has been developed very successfully in other parts of the country, will provide an add-on to the already very successful Rutland Community Spirit project.

Communities are invited to set up small groups within their settlements and, through each group, to identify volunteers who may be able to offer assistance to anyone needing help. These networks will be supported by the Rutland Community Spirit Team who will offer advice on a range of different aspects.

Any Parish Council or existing Community Group in Rutland that is interested in taking part in this new project is asked to make contact with Sue Renton at the Rutland Community Spirit office. Tel: 01572 720282 or email srenton@ruralcc.org.uk