Rutland Community Spirit

Improving the lives of older people

Rutland Community Spirit is a BIG Lottery funded charity set up in 2008 to provide practical and dependable support for vulnerable, or isolated people over the age of 60.

With our guidance and a team of dedicated volunteers, we have been able to help over 500 older people living in Rutland to live more independently and become involved in a range of social activities and events.

Challenges facing our elderly community

Poor public transport, lack of family support, bereavement, ill health, financial problems, loneliness, isolation and incidence of mental health issues – such as Alzheimer's.

FACT: There are approximately 10,700 people aged over 60 living in Rutland and this is estimated to increase by over 70% to18,000 by the year 2030. It is estimated that around 1,700 of Rutland's over 75's live alone, many in rural areas.

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Services we offer

• One to one support • Social events • Day trips • Good Neighbour Schemes
• Home from hospital • Roadshows • Access to First Contact Rutland

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Volunteers needed

The aim of Rutland Community Spirit is to be the link between individuals willing to provide some of their time to support vulnerable, isolated older people and those in need. Without continued help from the generous and highly valued volunteers who are willing to give time to help others, the project wouldn't operate.

We are always looking for reliable and trustworthy people to help us continue to provide invaluable services to older people in our community. If you are interested in contributing a few hours a week, please contact Sue Renton on 01572 720282 or email her at srenton@ruralcc.org.uk.

Contact details:
Sue Renton, Project Manager
Rutland Community Spirit
Rutland Volunteer Centre
Lands End Way
Oakham LE15 6RB
Tel/Fax: 01572 720282
email: srenton@ruralcc.org.uk

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First Contact Rutland

First Contact is an independent element of Rutland Community Spirit that enables practitioners and people working with vulnerable adults make multi-agency referrals through a single point of contact.

Drawing on strong ties with organisations that can provide information and support to adults of all ages and their carers, we can help vulnerable individuals stay safe and independent in their own home. For more information contact us on 01572 720282 / firstcontact@ruralcc.org.uk / @FirstContactRut

Click through to First Contact Page

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Good Neighbour Scheme

Every community has good-hearted people who automatically help their neighbours, but the aim of our Good Neighbour Scheme is to create a robust network of care in Rutland's outlying villages and parishes that puts help within the reach of vulnerable, or isolated older people.

A Good Neighbour Scheme is a voluntary initiative, organised and run by local residents and based around a pool of volunteers who offer time to support older people within their community.

We have successfully supported the development of Good Neighbour Schemes in Whissendine, Greetham and Braunston and are interested to hear from other Rutland villages that would like to join the initiative. Contact Sue Renton 01572 720282 / srenton@ruralcc.org.uk

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Social activities, events and outings

In partnership with local schools, groups and clubs, we organise a calendar of social activities, events and outings specifically designed for people over the age of 60, who may otherwise not get the opportunity to socialise. For the more adventurous and able bodied, we arrange mini bus outings throughout the year to places of interest. All trips are subsidised by BIG Lottery funding. For more information contact the team on 01572 720282.

Find out about social activities, events and outings open to older people living in Rutland by clicking onto our event listings below.

Mostly Men on Mondays

Mostly Men on Mondays is a weekly social event for older men living alone, particularly those with a background in uniformed services, to get together on a regular basis with like-minded individuals. To find out more about Mostly Men on Mondays click here.

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We are now on Twitter!

You can follow Rutland Community Spirit on Twitter. You don't need to have your own account, just click the button to visit our Twitter site.

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Newsletter

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