The scheme looks to address social isolation and workforce challenges within the care sector, rather than rake over them.
Image: Paul O’Rourke, managing director of Next Stage
The news that the care sector’s workforce is struggling isn’t new. The latest statistics show an additional 480,000 roles are needed to meet the increasing demand for services. Though no concrete plans have been established by the government, smaller care providers across the country are doing all they can to bridge the gap.
For example, a new initiative from Next Stage A Way Forward – a leading care provider in Bury – is looking to help. The scheme comes in the form of an allotment and is offered to adults housed in supported living. Experts believe that hands-on tasks, such as gardening, will help individuals strengthen their organisation, leadership and teamwork skills – an area that these particular individuals aren’t given enough time to develop.
Image: Allotment established by Next Stage.
To give context, separate findings from Age UK show two million older people now have some unmet needs as a result of mounting pressures on care staff. Not only is this concerning now, but it’s even more worrying as our older population is estimated to grow to 4.3 million by 2044.
‘The community allotment project reflects our commitment to creating meaningful change – not just for those we support, but for the workforce that serves them,’ Paul O’Rourke, managing director of Next Stage said. ‘It offers a unique opportunity for individuals to engage, learn and directly contribute to their community while developing skills that make a lasting impact in social care. Connecting people with their communities is the future of social care and this project is a great example of that vision in action.’
Images supplied by Next Stage
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