Sloppy Slippers

This project aims to reduce the number of accidents in the home caused by ill-fitting footwear.

Poor fitting slippers are a major contributory factor to falls and accidents in the home, which can lead to long term convalescence and a high rate of hospital admissions.

• We bought 500 new pairs of supportive slippers with non-slip soles and held a number of health and well-being events across the county.
• At the events we gave away free new slippers to people in exchange for their ill-fitting old ones.
• We also gave advice on health falls prevention and exercise taster sessions for older people.
• We are monitoring fracture rates and hospital admissions as a result of falls to see if there is a reduction in callouts.

Fuel Poverty

This project aims to help older households who cannot afford to heat their homes and keep warm in the winter.

Fuel poverty is one of the causes of the excess number of winter deaths in West Suffolk.

• We have funded a special one-stop helpline (0800 0288 938) that people can ring for advice and to find out about getting free insulation.
• We have trained home visitors to identify the problem and help older people with ways to keep their home warmer and safer.
• This includes working with Warm Front to look at heating and insulation in the home, better use of energy, and raising awareness of how to tackle the problem.
• The project was launched in October 2007.

Good Neighbours Scheme

This project aims to help older people who live in rural areas and feel isolated.

• We have established local leaders and teams of volunteers who carry out a number of jobs that people can no longer do for themselves such as shopping or providing transport to get to hospital or doctors’ appointments.
• This project is being led by Suffolk ACRE and supported by the West Suffolk LSP.
• We are developing schemes at Glemsford, Freckenham, Chevington and hopefully Gazeley.
• Long Melford Good Neighbours launched on 2nd January 2008.
• Lakenheath Good Neighbours has been operating for more than a year and is one of the most successful schemes averaging about 10 jobs a month.