FROM ending the cycle of sofa surfing to connecting two people who have a dream to launch a social allotment in their communal gardens, local area co-ordinators have hit the ground running in the community. Three local area co-ordinators have spent nearly six months getting to know their patches in Trowbridge, Melksham and Westbury where they work informally with members of the community who need extra support in their lives.

Local area co-ordinator manager, Vicky Lofts, said: “It’s very obvious to anybody working in frontline services that the demand is outstripping the supply very rapidly. With that in mind, the council looked at different programmes of work around prevention.We work with people who are not yet known to services to try and make sure they never need to use them. We also work with people who are already and may be dependent on council services to lessen their dependence.”

Funding for local area co-ordinator roles has been created from a £355,880 pot by Wiltshire Council. A further £562,944 has been secured for six more local area co-ordinators in Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett, Salisbury, Warminster and Amesbury. They will start training at the end of February.

One woman, who had been sofa surfing first met their local area co-ordinator before Christmas. She was pale and looked ill and after weeks of conversations admitted that she had contemplated breaking the law to spend Christmas in prison. The local area co-ordinator helped her to organise stable accommodation and she is now paying off previous rent arrears and looking ahead to a holiday.

The team believes that by breaking the cycle of existing from one week to another, she can now plan and look forward to her future. Steven Hubbard covers Westbury and Dilton Marsh. He said: “The surprising thing is you think people are going to have really huge ideas about what changes they would like but it’s quite often small things they want to change that can have a huge impact. I’ve not told anyone what to do or where to go, I’ve just given that support when they needed it. There’s been some really difficult conversations but I have walked with them to help them get to where they want to go."

“I know a lot of people providing support services for people do not have the luxury to spend the time whereas we can spend the weeks and months building that relationship.” Matt Billingham covers Melksham and said: “I think people can’t believe we have such a wide remit. You can get so many professionals working with one person but to have someone that they trust makes it more simple for them.” Gemma Novis covers Trowbridge and Hilperton and said: “It’s about the community taking a step forward together. There’s loads of positive stuff happening in Trowbridge and I find out people’s passions, skills, talent and interests."

“I’ve met a few people keen to boost creativity to promote inclusion. They are proud of living in Trowbridge but feel it can be better. I am meeting people with similar interests and matching them together and they are forging friendships.”

The roles are permanent and sit within the council’s Public Health team.

To find out more and contact your local area coordinator visit: https://www.yourcareyoursupportwiltshire.org.uk/local-area-coordinators