Lochaber Community Care Forum

THE FORUM AND HOW IT WORKS

Our history and development

Lochaber Community Care Forum was formed in 1991 with a mixture of interested groups in order to respond to initiatives relating to development of, and changes in, Community Care legislation. In 1999 LCCF secured 3 years funding from the Henry Smith Trust and Lloyds TSB to establish the Lochaber Community Volunteer Network, in order to develop the voluntary sector input into community care related activities. At the same time LCCF received a small grant from Highland Community Care Forum for a year in order to gain support from Voluntary Action Lochaber. By 2000 LCCF had the opportunity for an increase in core funding from HCCF of about £9000 pa, in order to assist in administration/facilitation. This enabled the employment of a Development Worker for 14 hours a week. Just prior to this new appointment in June 2000 LCCF changed from being a membership only organisation, to retaining its membership plus the establishment of a management committee. The Community Volunteer Network project concluded in December 2001, and from this various projects and support groups developed including two new projects under the management of the Forum: the Lochaber Handyperson Scheme and The Lochaber Community Car Scheme.

How we work

Broadly, we connect with the membership of the Forum through our quarterly newsletter, which precedes our quarterly Forum meetings by announcing the meeting at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting. We attempt to set the dates of the meeting a year ahead as well. Since June 2000 the membership has increased from 170 to 396 members. We are also involved with various developmental groups and individual studies which aim to analyse, improve and develop services.

What area we cover

We cover the area of Lochaber, plus a bit more where needs must. This includes the main conurbation of Fort William, with Caol and Corpach, population of around 11,000, plus all the outlying rural areas of the district, which covers a population of around 10,000. We extend as far west as Mallaig, including the islands of Eigg, Rhum and Muck, and the Ardnamurchan peninsula, north to Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge, Invergarry and some minor work in Fort Augustus (outwith Lochaber), south to Kinlochleven, Glencoe, Ballachulish, Duror and we have given support to service development in Appin (outwith Lochaber).

Who we involve

People who use health, social work and housing services, and those who don’t but might need advice or support from those services or one of our own projects. We also involve a variety of carers, volunteers, and statutory and voluntary agencies.

How we involve

“Membership”: At the very least this is receipt of our quarterly newsletter which contains information on the pace of local community care development, plus an opportunity for information exchange at quarterly meetings.
Representation on various committees and working parties via development worker and clients.
Skills development, training opportunities and occasional employment opportunities for volunteers, carers and clients (service users).
Management committee made of carers, clients and representatives of voluntary organisations.
A drop in office, with a responsive staff team, in terms of Community Core issues, the Handyperson Service and Car Scheme.

Who we work with

Directly with clients , carers, volunteers, various strategy and actions groups, the local health care co-operative, various departments of local social work services, housing, and voluntary organisations.

Where the money comes from

Core funding for Lochaber Community Care Forum - from Highland Community Care Forum - currently £9250 per annum. In addition to this HCCF is enabling LCCF to draw down funding under the Community Fund Connecting Communities Project from Jan 2002. This is enabling the development of a web site and new Lochaber Community Care Guide.
Lochaber Community Volunteer Network (January 1999 to December2001)

Henry Smith Trust and Lloyds TSB (£24,400 pa for 3 years).

Lochaber Community Car Scheme: (November 2000 to October 2003)
- Community Fund (£20,000 per annum). Highland Council (up to £2000 subsidy per annum).
Lochaber Handyperson Scheme (May 2001 to April 2004)
- Unemployed Voluntary Action Fund (Average of £21,000 per annum).
For 2002 we have also secured over £5000 from Lochaber Social Work services towards the following:

1. £3000: analysis and developmental study for Supported Shopping (to be completed by August 2002.

2. £600: scoping study of clients views and needs for Invergarry (to be completed in 2002).

3. £520: Winter Services for Older People Campaign (completed 2001).

4. £ 500: project staff support for Dementia Awareness Training (Feb 2002).

5. £500: equipment funding for smoke alarm campaign (launched end of Feb).

We have also received £500 for a smoke alarm campaign from Lochaber Housing Association and £500 from Lochaber Health for All. In addition we have receiving some financial support (up to £2000) from Lochaber Primary Health Care Trust for the initial set up of a register of Children “in need “as defined by the Children’s Act (Scotland).

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