Continuing to support the needs of our local community

Whoever you are, whatever the problem

During the coming year we will continue to provide a single point of access for local people wanting information and advice.

In addition we are supporting Kingston Council and colleagues in the voluntary sector to establish the Connected Kingston website, which has information about local Health and Wellbeing services.

This project aims to make it easier for people to 'get connected' with health and wellbeing services within the community. It is anticipated that easy access to clubs, organisations and health services will help local people to help themselves and potentially prevent wellbeing issues arising.

This project is distinct from and complementary to our work in kiaa, which focuses on community services providing information and advice , from information about personal rights and responsibilities to obtaining help to pursue a complex case at a court or Tribunal.

The 2017-18 Annual Report is now available to read here:

Identifying research priorities about older carers

Project team

Nan Greenwood, Raymond Smith, Sally Brearley and Carole Pound

The project

The project ran from January to August 2018. Our intention was to explore the experiences and research priorities of older (70+ years), unpaid, family carers from the perspectives of both older carers themselves and also the volunteers and professionals who work with them.
This summary provides an overview of what we did and what we found.

Read the Summary here

Kingston Carers' Network is now listed on Connected Kingston, a new website where Kingston residents can find local services to help them feel more involved in their community, meet new people and make some changes to improve their health and wellbeing.

There are a wide range of services on Connected Kingston including social and leisure activities, self-help groups, lunch clubs, practical and emotional support and more. There is sure to be something that will be useful or of interest, to everyone.

As well as finding information about local services, residents can be ‘referred’ through the system. This means that they highlight their interest in a service, and the service will follow up and contact them to discuss how they can get involved.

Residents will be able to use the system alone and refer themselves, however, Connected Kingston will also be training local workers in statutory services and community groups to be able to support people to use the system. These people will be called Connected Kingston Champions and will be based in places such as libraries, leisure centres, pharmacies, housing services, community centres, GP offices and other community locations and organisations.

Take a look at the website www.connectedkingston.uk