The head of Citizens Advice, Malcolm Ferey, Age Concern chairman Senator Sarah Ferguson and Julie Martin, the co-ordinator of St Clement’s community support team, have all said that such support structures are vital, particularly given the States’ push to keep people living in their own homes for longer.
Currently the teams, which are self-funded, operate in St Clement, St Martin, St Ouen, St Brelade, Grouville and Trinity, where they are staffed by volunteers.
They can help with everything from jobs around the house and taking someone food shopping to offering support when someone is dealing with a family bereavement.
The potential benefit of such ‘informal’ support was highlighted recently after a serious case review following the unexplained death of an elderly man who had consistently declined assistance from healthcare services.
Get the paper delivered to your door, on mobile, tablet and PC from just 52p a day with JEP Extra
