INTERACT in full flow

Now that the INTERACT team is fully staffed and established, we took the opportunity to head out for a team lunch on 27 June.  We headed out to Mon Chai on St Benedict’s Street. 

We took a team photo afterwards back at City Hall.  From left to right - Jaya Merryweather, ICC - Norfolk County Council, Philippa Dandar, NHS Care Coordinator - One Norwich Practices, Vanessa Knell,  Social Prescriber from the Information & Welfare Team - Age UK Norwich, Katie Snazell, Social Prescriber from the Information & Welfare Team - Age UK Norwich, Amaryllis Macy, INTERACT Team Leader - Norwich City Council , Stacey Staines, Social Prescriber from NCAB.

We also have Jonny Wood from Voluntary Norfolk who is currently looking at support for our clients with Menshed volunteers around gardening for those who are struggling with maintaining their gardens and helping clients to give their gardens some much needed TLC.  

The INTERACT team have been supporting clients whose home or home environment is affecting the client’s health and well-being.  The referral needs to come to us via the Healthy Homes form Healthy homes referral form - Norwich City Council marked for INTERACT. 

Being part of a multi-disciplinary team, we have been able to share our knowledge and bounce ideas off each other.  We also work out of City Hall in Norwich which has given the team the opportunity to build relationships with other teams such as the Home Improvement Team, Safe and Habitable Homes, Home Options, Specialist Support Team, Revenues/Benefits/Income Teams, Housing Officers, Budgeting Advisers, Anti-Social Behaviour Team, NCSL (Norwich City Services Ltd).

We have been able to increase clients benefits, helped people move home with Loads 4 Less, provided deep cleans and decluttering with the help from outside companies such as Turn the Tides, Norfolk Angels, Ginger Ninjas, Moving Forwards, Shining Knights.  We have provided information on activities and groups to help with social isolation, not only from Age UK Norwich but the wider range of activities across Norwich which we cater to the clients needs.  We have been successful with funding for mobility scooters which has meant that clients have improved access to community services.  We have also been able to apply to the Household Support Fund for EdenRed grocery vouchers which has made a significant difference to those struggling with the cost of living.