Wandsworth Care Alliance

Invitation to help shape the service specification for a new Age Well service in central Wandsworth – Tuesday 25 April

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Wandsworth Councils Adult Social Services Commissioners are inviting organisations that deliver or support preventative services for older people to help shape the service specification for a new Age Well service in central Wandsworth.

In 2019, Wandsworth Councils Adult Social Services introduced Age Well Battersea and Age Well Roehampton to their suite of prevention services for older residents in the borough. Their success in keeping local older residents physically, socially and mentally active has led them to now explore a further Age Well service.  Wandsworth Council are seeking help from local partners to help shape what the specification should look like.  While the activities will ultimately be shaped by local residents, they are keen to see substantial opportunities for older residents to share food and meals.

The service will not be based in one building but will be expected to make use of suitable venues, primarily in the central part of the borough.  Partnership bids will be welcome when it goes out to tender.

A Wandsworth Needs Assessment of Day Opportunities for Vulnerable and Older Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Adults is currently underway. This  needs assessment is due at the end of April 2023 and will help inform the specification for this new Age Well service.

Interested partners and organisations wishing to participate in the specification shaping workshop on Tuesday 25 April 2023, 10.30am to 11.30am via MS Teams (virtual meeting) can contact Paul Banks for an invitation and receive the draft service specification.

Thank you for your support and consideration. 
If you have any questions and to request the invitation, please contact;

Paul Banks
Commissioning Officer- (Prevention and Wellbeing)
Adult Social Care and Public Health
Serving Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

Email Paul Banks: Paul.banks@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Wandsworth Cost of Living Commission community evidence gathering session 2-5pm on 27th April 

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Tooting Leisure Centre, Greaves Place SW17 0NE

The Wandsworth Cost of Living Commission is  a body of about fifteen people in leadership positions who have been tasked with exploring what’s driving the cost of living crisis in Wandsworth, listening to the community and making recommendations for long term action to support residents. It’s an initiative from Wandsworth Council to help tackle the cost of living crisis. 

The Commission is holding a number of consultation events throughout the borough. The next one is at Tooting Leisure Centre from 2-5pm on 27th April. There is more information at
https://wandsworth.gov.uk/cost-of-living-hub/cost-of-living-commission/ 

#The Commission Secretariat explains how they work: 

The independent Wandsworth Cost of Living Commission is calling for evidence from any interested organisation and stakeholder on its key areas of focus. The commission is looking at the impact of changes in the cost of food, housing, fuel, and transport on Wandsworth residents. Further information on the Commission can be found on the dedicated website 
https://wandsworth.gov.uk/cost-of-living-hub/cost-of-living-commission/ 

The Call for Evidence is one element of the insights and experiences we are using to inform our work and recommendations, along with community based evidence gathering sessions (the next one will be on 27th April (2 pm to 5 pm) at Tooting Leisure Centre looking at the cost of living impacts on transport. We are also setting up focus groups and looking to engage directly with local organisations and their networks. 

The commission is particularly interested in the following points: 

  • How is the current cost of living crisis impacting Wandsworth residents, organisations, and businesses? 
  • What people are doing differently because of the impact of the cost of living crisis? 
  • Ideas and insights as to what long term change and action is required to support residents with this and any future crisis.

 Please send your response by email to 
wandsworthcommission@wandsworth.gov.uk. 

The Commission has also set up a short survey for local residents to complete, looking at these issues around the cost of living crisis. Please share the link to the survey with your networks  https://haveyoursay.citizenspace.com/wandsworthced/col23/consultation/subpage.2019-08-02.1979113913/

The Big Help Out Initiative – letter from the Mayor of Wandsworth

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Sector Colleague,

King Charles III this week launched The Big Help Out Initiative’ aimed at promoting volunteering and empowering people to ‘Help Out’. The launch is to commemorate The King’s coronation in May, and I am adding my voice in support of the initiative. Part of what makes the United Kingdom great is that we can find examples in every corner of the nation where volunteers supporting mutual aid community groups, charities and neighbourhoods are making a difference locally, nationally, and internationally.

Here in Wandsworth, we have always been proud of our Voluntary Sector, and over my time as mayor, I have seen first-hand the difference that volunteers are making. It has been my honour and great pleasure to engage with our local groups and to meet the volunteers who so selflessly give of their time and efforts in making a difference in our community.

May I encourage you to host a thank you/recruitment event in celebration of your volunteers.

If you would like me or my Deputy to come along and participate in your take on The Big Help Out Initiative and to say thank you to your volunteers, please get in touch with my office at Mayors.Office@wandsworth.gov.uk. We certainly look forward to an opportunity to celebrate your volunteers and to promote the difference they make.

Thank you for the work you and your volunteers do!

Mayor of Wandsworth,
Councillor Jeremy Ambache

Tickets for Good: low cost access to arts and culture

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Wandsworth Council would like to alert you to opportunities for those receiving support with the cost of living to enjoy arts and culture free or at low cost. The Deputy Leader of the council, Cllr Kemi Akinola, writes: 
 
We often talk about the essentials that we offer to people living hand to mouth. 
They also need arts and culture to enjoy life. 
Please do share this poster with people you may work with who may not be able to afford stuff like this otherwise. 
 
They also give tickets to people working or volunteering with charities. 

Click here to register your interest in this new scheme

BATCA Community Awards celebration 16th March. Three cheers for our heroes!

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What a night we had! Over 150 people came together to celebrate our heroes on a night overflowing with joy and goodwill. Awards were presented to seven individuals and teams, while all those nominated received certificates of commendation.  

All are heroes! Their commitment and dedication, and the difference they make to others’ lives is inspiring.  There’s hardly a corner of local life they don’t touch. They work to green our environment, reduce waste and energy use, relieve hunger and poverty, offer friendship to those needing it, improve mental health and use their artistic and sporting talents to enrich our lives, and much more. 

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP for Tooting and Cllr Jeremy Ambache, the Mayor of Wandsworth spoke praising the contribution that volunteers and others make and the strength this adds to our community in Balham and Tooting. 

Our thanks go to the jazz duo from the group Fuzion Four who provided entertainment, and to the many helpers and organisers who helped make the Award scheme and its celebration on 16th March a success. 

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our sponsors Islamic Relief, Royal Mahal restaurant and A Plan Insurance, whose generosity made the celebration possible. Without them, it could not have taken place. We also thank Amy Adams for photographing the event.  

Awards were presented as follows: 

Revd Professor June Boyce Tillman  Champions the environment through music and the arts 
The Tooting and Balham Restart Fixing Team Run regular ‘Fixing and mending’ workshops to promote re-use, avoid waste and teach skills 
Nicola Pattinson Runs a sewing group for refugees and local women in partnership with local refugee charity CARAS 
Tooting Community Kitchen Provide hot food for the homeless and vulnerable in several locations, and run a food bank.   
Marie Clatworthy-King Leader of Tooting Woodcraft Folk for over 20 years and community football coach. Coaches a girls football team in Morden. 
Peer Supporters team at  St George’s Neo Natal Unit Volunteers supporting parents of premature babies at St George’s Hospital  
Tooting Bal Sanskar Group   Volunteers providing education on Hindu faith, culture and language to local children.

Kate Allan 

Secretary 

BATCA 

07966 690308 

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