The Board received a presentation that outlined the information, advice, and advocacy offer, across health and care, in Tower Hamlets. The main points of the discussion and questions raised are summarised as follows.

The Board

v  Noted that the Council leads on the transformation and redesign of a joined-up approach to information and advice across health, social care and social welfare and is a key driver in empowering residents with making more informed choices and control. The new and integrated Tower Hamlets Connect Service went live on 19^th of July 2021 and takes a strengths-based approach to information and advice, supporting people to help themselves and achieve their goals.

v  Understood that Tower Hamlets Connects supports the Council to manage demand on its adult social care front door and those of health partners by providing free, quality-assured information, advice and advocacy across health, social care, and social welfare.

v  Observed that Tower Hamlets Connects is equipping residents with the correct information and advice support at the right time to enable residents to support themselves, live fulfilling lives and to be as independent as possible.

v  Was advised that the service offers early help and support to residents and carers through a digital portal, a help/advice telephone line service and face-to-face support in community and primary care settings.

v  Noted that a key element of the information and advice offer is the Tower Hamlets Together Digital Portal. This website provides the digital front door for all residents with or without health or care needs. It provides residents with a suite of information and advice pages, a service directory, and an events calendar.

v  Noted the Compassionate Neighbours project that supports people in Hackney and Tower Hamlets who are living with chronic life-limiting illness and those that are feeling isolated from their local community.

v  Observed that Compassionate Neighbours support people in the local community by (i) Visiting regularly; (ii) Offering friendship and a listening ear; (iii) Telephone support; (iv) Supporting people to do the things they like and enjoy; and (v) Supporting people to stay connected to their community, family, and friends.

v  Noted with interest the “Love Your Neighbour” project that is East London Cares' friendship matching scheme, which brings older and younger neighbours together to spend time one-to-one. Older and younger neighbours are matched up based on location, interests, and personality. They get together once a week and build friendships that help bring a little of the outside world in for neighbours who can struggle to get out. Younger neighbours can also support their older neighbours to get and about and enjoy all that Tower Hamlets have to offer – whether that is the cinema, the theatre, or parks and museums.

v  Noted that the programme aims to bridge divides that can make London an isolating and lonely place for younger and older neighbours alike. Through conversation, company and companionship, younger and older neighbours can support one another to stay vibrant, visible, and connected. It is mutually beneficial: younger and older neighbours share stories, advice, skills, laughter, and new experiences. The East London Cares' Love Your Neighbour programme kicked off in January 2020 and in response to Covid-19, had to change quickly to support friendships at a distance. Long-standing friends began calling one another regularly, including on FaceTime, and through the Phone a Friend project, new matches were made between younger and older neighbours who continue to speak regularly over the phone.

v  Commented that the presentation had been an inspiring account of what has been achieved by people working together and that there is now quite a body of data in Tower Hamlets that sets out the kind of risk of loneliness and isolation and how for some people can quite easily segue into being at risk of needing other types of protection and that the Care Act that set up Safeguarding Adults Board's gives this Board the responsibility around prevention. Accordingly, it was felt that there would be of benefit to have some examples of positive intervention that had been provided by this work e.g., people being lifted out being at risk.

v  Understood that the We Connect Communities Partnership had done some, work around about self-protection e.g., not letting people in the door and reminding people to double check about a person’s identity.

v  Was informed that referrals can be made via the Jubilee Street Practice and the Partnership are in the process of setting up an email contact for the Scheme.

v  Agreed on the importance of the Partnership developing alternative approaches to service delivery underpinned by the principles of community involvement e.g., how the NHS Trusts Carers Centre could work with the Partnership.

v  Welcomed the intention to appoint a coordinator who will support those providing emotional and social support and developing truly natural, mutual friendships.

v  Agreed that the way different services can feed into this is critical particularly around the acute services.

v  Recognised that loneliness and social isolation are some of the most challenging public health risks and loneliness is now as prevalent in the young as it is in the elderly, it just manifests itself differently. It never discriminates between young and old, rich, and poor and that is why more needs to be done to tackle loneliness and social isolation.

v  Agreed that in an increasingly digital age, those who are not engaging effectively with the digital world are at risk of being left behind as digital skills are increasingly important for accessing information and services.