Partnerships for Older People Project (POPPs)
Rochdale borough’s Partnerships for Older
People Project (POPPs) is designed to help older people to
stay healthy, independent and well. It gives you access to all
kinds of services and activities designed to make life better for
you.
We can help you with things like getting to
the shops, attending social clubs, accessing leisure facilities and
even filling in forms.
We know it can sometimes be hard to know where
to go for help, advice and information. That’s why we’re here to
help you access what you need, when you need it. We are here to
make sure you get the help you need to live a fulfilling and
independent life.
POPPs is a national initiative led by the Department of
Health, where local authorities were invited to bid for funding to
develop and improve activities and services to help older
people to remain independent, healthy and active. The
project is about providing a variety of support services for
older people who are experiencing difficult times in their lives -
with the aim of preventing a situation worsening or turning into a
crisis.
Our POPPs project is made up of
five elements that help us identify needs and
provide the level of support needed for each
individual.
Outreach
The outreach team are responsible for visiting older people who
have been referred to POPPs, and then identifying individual needs
by carrying out an informal health and well-being
questionnaire. Referrals to POPPs can be made by a GP,
family member, friend or even by an individual themself.
Once needs are identified, the outreach team will direct
you to either an existing activity or arrange for one to
be set up if needed. This decision would be made by
the Townships Older people's Partnership (TOPPs).
Townships Older Peoples Partnership (TOPPs)
In each Township there is a panel made up of representative
for older people. Their main aim is to buy in local activities
for older people based on unmet needs identified through the health
and well being questionnaire carried out by the outreach
team.
Carers support
POPPs works to help ensure that the needs
of socially excluded older carers (and carers of older people)
are met, by helping them to maintain their own health and
well-being while helping them to sustain their independence in
older age, at the same times as continuing their role as
a carer.
Transport co-ordination
Our role is to arrange transport for POPPs members and POPPs
backed projects when needed. The ranges of activities vary from
luncheon clubs to Tai Chi classes.
Volunteer co-ordination
The Volunteer co-ordinator finds volunteering opportunities for
older poeple within the borough.