From Mike Bomford, Exeter 382173, June 19th, 2008

Help is bringing new life to people over 50 across Devon who have become socially isolated or excluded, following bereavement for example, illness or disability.

Community mentoring is a concept that is helping people make new friends, explore different experiences and share skills.

Through one-to-one support, people who have become reluctant to or unable to leave their house, are being encouraged to get out and about, and to find local community groups in their area to enjoy.

Mentors are working alongside individuals with the aim to build their self confidence, raise their self esteem and to promote independence for as long as possible.

Every person and every situation is different. A mentor might, for example, work with someone who is lonely due to their physical or sensory impairment which has caused them to become more isolated.

The mentor can provide people with individual support, but they will also explore opportunities for people in other circumstances who might not need support, but for whom a welcoming and interesting group in their community is an important bridge.

Mentoring schemes are operating across Devon. They are provided by Age Concern Exeter which runs Link2 projects around Exeter; and by a partnership of Age Concern Devon, Upstream Healthy Living Centre and Westbank in the rest of the county where projects are called Time for Life.

Community mentoring is being funded in Devon for two years by the Department of Health, and is supported by Devon County Council.

So far Link2 and Time for Life have helped approximately 1,200 people - some benefiting from one-to-one help while others have been introduced to, and are enjoying, existing local community groups, or new groups such as Exeter's Community Choir.

The results have been extremely positive, but the success of the mentoring scheme is clear not just from improvements in people's independence and quality of life, but from their increased health and fall in reliance on health services.

Devon County Council's Executive Member for Adult and Community Services, Cllr Hugo Barton, said:

"The mentoring schemes are helping build people's confidence and self esteem, and therefore helping people to remain active and independent.

"Their purpose is to introduce people to stimulating social, creative or physical activities, and mentors provide support not only to individuals but also helping form groups of people who share the same interests."

Nicola Wheate, of Link2, said:

"Group members tell us that community mentoring works whether it is one to one or in groups. The groups bring large numbers of people together around shared interests, to sing, to talk, to take photos to name but a few and from that comes friendship and support that carries on over and above the group itself."

Sue Howell-Richardson, Time for Life Project Manager, said:

"Time for Life mentoring is making a real difference to individuals who have through a variety of reasons suffered a down turn in their lives. This service is not about taking over or medicalising a person but exploring options and opportunities and seeking solutions to problems and barriers.

"Evidence received so far confirms that mentoring is empowering individuals to make life changes and explore new opportunities which is going some way to reduce loneliness and social isolation."

NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS

Mrs Jones, (not her real name), was discharged from a long stay in hospital. She had poor mobility, poor stamina, was suffering anxiety and was partially sighted. She was at a low point in her life, refusing any care arranged for her. Through her mentoring scheme, she was visited twice a week for three months, and encouraged to get out and about and to visit her local caf for meals. She soon became able to get to the bank and the supermarket, and is now shopping and visiting her favourite caf independently.

Mr Smith, (not his real name), is in his early 70s. He had become increasingly isolated since his wife died. He had lost his confidence and was not eating well or leaving the house. Through his mentoring scheme he has been introduced to two local groups, which meet for lunch and coffee in his town. He is enjoying them, and is now thinking about joining a local computer course, so that he can email his family.