Curo generated more than £19m in social value through our support services in the first six months of the financial year 2023-24.
Our social return on investment measures the social, health and economic value we deliver to customers and the wider community. We measure our social impact using the Social Value Bank, a tool developed by Charitable Housing Trust.
Through these services, we have prevented homelessness, helped older people to stay living independently at home, ensured customers have a suitable home when they leave hospital, brought communities together and much more.
“We’re incredibly proud of these results, which show the real-life impact that Curo has in communities across the South West,” says Cathy Isaacs, Service Manager, Older Persons Services.
Support in the community
Curo’s Independent Living Service (ILS) and Livewell service together delivered £10,245,755 in social value. These services support older customers to live happy and healthy lives in their own homes or in sheltered accommodation.
Customers get a dedicated support worker, who provides a friendly, listening ear. “The support worker carries out welfare checks and takes customers to medical appointments they wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend,” says Cathy. “We support them to stay well, reducing visits to their GP and hospital – and ultimately the strain on the NHS.”
The support worker makes sure customers get all the benefits and financial support they’re entitled to. “This means they can pay their rent and other bills, lowering the risk of homelessness and fuel poverty,” Cathy explains.
Above: Customer Norman Clarke with his ILS Support Worker Kate Pearce.
As part of the Livewell service, the support worker helps the customer to do their weekly shop online, ensuring they are eating well. “All of this has a knock-on effect on wellbeing and preventing hospital admissions,” Cathy adds.
The ILS and sheltered service provide a pendant alarm for customers. This life-saving alarm service is monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “If a customer has a problem, rather than going straight to 999, they’re put through to a special helpline,” explains Andy Russell, ILS Service Manager. “They may then contact the customer’s next of kin or our offices, if the customer doesn’t require medical attention.”
We also have a service to help customers who’ve fallen in their homes. “If they’re not injured, we can visit to pick them up,” says Cathy. “This prevents the need for an ambulance, which can often mean a distressing wait-time. Again, this save GPs’ time and prevents hospital admissions.”
By taking a holistic approach that’s bespoke to each customer, the ILS, self-funded sheltered and Livewell services ensure that each customer has a package of support that’s right for them. “We use our in-depth knowledge of partner agencies to get them the services they need – whether that’s personal care through the local council or befrienders through Age UK,” says Cathy. “When such support is in place, we reduce the need for customers to go into costly residential care.”
Freeing up hospital beds
Our Stepdown service has saved the public purse £580,161. Stepdown frees up hospital beds by providing accommodation for patients who are medically fit, but who can’t yet return to their homes.
“When customers stay in Stepdown accommodation, we prepare them for their next move, providing advice on money and getting practical support in place. We make sure that they’ll be moving on to accommodation which suits their individual needs, which may have changed due to illness or injury,” says Cathy. “Some customers may be able to move back home after relearning certain tasks, which we help them to do. But if a customer can no longer cope with stairs, for example, they may have to move into other more suitable accommodation.”
Bringing communities together
In addition, Curo provide spaces and activities that bring communities together. Social isolation is one of the biggest risks to the wellbeing of older people. Curo’s sheltered community hubs are places to learn new skills and make friends. Hub events include Tai Chi and digital classes, Bingo sessions, coffee mornings and fish-and-chip lunches.
Curo also run Memory Cafés, with guest speakers and activities. By creating a space in the community for people who are worried about their memory, colleagues can help them to get a diagnosis in place. If they do have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, they will then get a tailored plan, reducing the need for residential care. The well-attended Memory Cafés are also a chance for carers to get together and share experiences. In the first half of 2023-24, the social value of the Dementia Challenge service was £230,848.
Get in touch
To find out more about Curo’s support services click here.
Curo’s Independent Living Service can be used by anyone who needs support who is over the age of 18, if they live in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire or North Somerset.
Call us on 01225 366135 or email ILS@curo-group.co.uk and find out how the service can help.