Community First New Forest has appointed three new Community Innovations Development Workers to join their Community Development Team, bringing the total to four Community Innovations Development workers.
 The three new workers have been recruited as part of the expansion of the Community Innovations Project from just one area, to cover the whole of the New Forest District.
Jacqui Missen, Elaine Fisher and Vanessa Brown join Jan Barratt.
Jan already covers Totton and district while Jacqui will be responsible for the Waterside area, Elaine the south west of the New Forest and Vanessa the Avon Valley.
The Innovations project, which is a partnership of Hampshire County Council, NHS Hampshire Community Care and the Councils of Voluntary Service, including Community First New Forest, aims to help older people who are beginning to experience difficulties with day to day living, to maintain their independence.
Jacqui Missen has a particular interest in how older people are treated in society, having previously worked in partnership with other organisations to encourage intergenerational activities.
Jacqui is looking forward to doing a job where she can make a difference to other people’s lives.
Elaine Fisher’s passion is to improve conditions and empower vulnerable, older people.
Elaine is looking forward to being part of a team improving older people’s lives.
Vanessa Brown says this appointment is not only a privilege but also a pleasure.
She has always felt that this target group is under represented and hopes to help highlight the project and bring benefit to the older residents of Avon Valley.
The Innovations project provides older people and their families with:
- support, advice and guidance on a range of issues such as keeping warm, safe, fit and eating well
- specialist help if they are experiencing difficulties around the home, or with managing everyday activities, or if they are concerned about their health and wellbeing
- assistance with linking into appropriate health and community services
- The team includes staff with knowledge and expertise in health, social care and voluntary services.
Jackie Hartless, Community Development Manager at Community First New Forest says,
“The Innovations Community Development Workers have a good knowledge of what is available to individuals in their local area. If people identify an activity or service that is not available the Workers may well be able to support the development of a new activity or group/service or signpost people to an existing one”.
Jackie added,
“The New Forest Community Innovations Workers will be particularly interested in supporting local voluntary and community groups which provide services that encourage and enable older people to engage in activities that promote their independence, health, wellbeing and self worth”.
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