Media release: Social care organisation secures additional funding during Coronavirus crisis

SPAEN

THE Scottish Personal Assistant Employers Network (SPAEN) has succeeded in securing funding to extend the range of support services it can offer social care users during the Coronavirus crisis.

With the support of FirstPort and working in partnership with health and social care partnerships (HSCPs) and other Third Sector organisations, SPAEN will offer free, impartial advice and guidance to social care users across Scotland.

Thanks to the donation of a web-based platform and mobile app from Our Community Hub, SPAEN has launched an emergency care register on http://www.communityhubscotland.com. The platform is free to download, use and to list local or national services.

In partnership with PA Network Scotland, SPAEN continues to invite potential social carers (Personal Assistants) to register and offer their support and services to people in their local community who may have been affected by staffing shortages or the short-notice withdrawal of social care support. If someone requires to engage with social care support urgently, they can either call or e-mail SPAEN or PA Network Scotland or can now use the website and app to view and engage with local support workers.

Colin Millar, chief executive of SPAEN (pictured), said the charity had received greatly increased enquiries around the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and about access to supports for people who are “shielding” and general advice around local support organisations

He added: “I would like to invite every HSCP to share details of local arrangements for this with us and we will update CommunityHubScotland, allowing people to source vital information relevant to their circumstances and location. We hope this will reduce the volume of requests for information being made of HSCPs at this very difficult time and allow them to focus vital resources to other aspects of delivering responses to those most in need of urgent care and support.

“SPAEN is happy to provide administrative support to make this information available, all you have to do is e-mail us the details and we will update the site on your behalf.

“If any member of the HSCP or anyone from the community you support requires any support, advice or guidance in relation to social care support and Direct Payments during this period, or if your local support organisation is interested in joining the growing partnership platform, please call or request them to contact our team on (01698 250280) or e-mail info@spaen.co.uk.”

A number of organisations have already committed to signing up to the Hub, including Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCiL); SDS Forum East Renfrewshire; Scottish Consortium for Learning Disabilities (SCLD) and many other regional and national support organisations.

For further information or contact David Sinclair at davidsinclair65@sky.com or mobile 07803 070320.

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SPAEN contact details…

Contact: David Sinclair

Email: davidsinclair65@sky.com