We have been working very closely with North Yorkshire Council Adult Social Services to develop a new project and role to help people in Nidderdale who are either in receipt of care packages or on the waiting list for a care needs assessment. The Services Navigator will be well connected to local services and activities that exist currently and will also be able to work with local organisations to organise activities and services that are needed, when the evidence suggests there is a need.
Increasingly, the evidence shows that social isolation is a significant contributor to poor health and wellbeing. The World Health Organisation reports that loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of early death by 25%. A large body of research shows that the effect of social isolation and loneliness on mortality is comparable to that of other well established risk factors such as smoking, obesity and physical inactivity.
However, the good news is that social isolation and loneliness can be reduced through face to face or digital contact. The Care in Nidderdale pilot project will be exploring how we can address this issue in our local area and the Services Navigator will be the Project Officer for this important project. We will also be using some capacity from our successful Digital Champion service to assist with digital solutions to helping people with their wellbeing and social connectedness.
You can find out more about the role here, and can email helen@nidderdaleplus.org.uk to request a job description or application form, or you can drop by the hub to pick up paper copies.
Closing date for applications is 30 June.
