The Home Support Service works with people who may be experiencing chronic mental illness by providing person-centred support and practical assistance to enable them to live safely and independently in their own homes and in participating within their local communities.
As approved social care providers for both Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Councils, our Home Support service now extends our geographical outreach to include these two areas also.
What We Do
Supporting people with complex and multiple needs, within a context of adult incapacity or adult protection, or where there is exceptional vulnerability or high risk, is at the forefront of our care. Key is enabling the development of skills to improve self-resilience, self-confidence and self-esteem, in addition to enhancing practical skills in managing day to day living. This may be in the form of support with budgeting, household tasks, shopping, community engagement to reduce social isolation etc.
As we take a whole-person approach we personalise your care and support to best suit your needs complying with the principles of self-directed support.
Staffing
The Home Support Service Team is trained to SVQ Health and Social Care Level 3 or above. It is regulated by the Care Inspectorate as a ‘floating housing support’ service. Following our latest unannounced inspection in October 2023, our Home Support service received an overall Very Good grading.
How to refer to the Home Support Service
Referrals can be made via local social service offices within either Clackmannanshire, Falkirk or Stirling Council who will then assess a person’s eligibility based on their assessed needs and financial status. Referrals can also be made by GPs through the single shared assessment process to social services.
Action in Mind can also provide further information about the Home Support service or arrange a meeting with the Team Leader, Irene Hamilton by telephoning 01786 451203 or by email at info@actioninmind.org.uk
Alternatively, go to our Projects & Themed Working page for more information on Self-Directed Support.
What clients say
“I need a life-size cardboard cut-out worker to sit on my couch all the time. Things seem so much clearer when I have the opportunity to talk with my worker and I can keep my perspective much better during visits and support than when I deal with things alone. She gives so much understanding, reassurance and clarity to all the issues that I struggle with.”
“Support is vital to me as a life line and has helped me survive. Having contact regularly with a worker is one of the few times when I almost feel happy in my daily life. The reassurance and support has helped me continue with life and living.”
“I have told the social worker that I would not still be here if it was not for the weekly support I get from my HSS worker. I truly believe this is this is the case. My worker goes above and beyond to support me and keep me working towards a path of recovery. I do not know what I would do without this.”
“Support from Action in Mind has enabled me to live a fuller life and to face situations that previously would have left me in crisis and housebound. Through their support I am able to volunteer and attend a weekly jewellery making class, both things that would have been impossible previously. It also helps me to monitor my condition to enable me to recognise when my symptoms are becoming problematic.”
“Support from Action in Mind has enabled me to live a fuller life and to face situations that previously would have left me in crisis and housebound.”
“Support from Action in Mind has enabled me to live a fuller life and to face situations that previously would have left me in crisis and housebound.”
Our Befriending Team works with individuals in Stirlingshire who experience poor mental wellbeing and are socially isolated by giving them the opportunity to regularly meet with a volunteer befriender.
Our volunteer befrienders are locally recruited and offer their free time to the befriending service. They must be 18 years or over and fulfill all of the requirements outlined in our bespoke volunteer recruitment and training program. Throughout their time working with our clients, they are provided with ongoing support from the Service Manager.
Who can use the Befriending Service?
Adults over the age of 18 who are struggling with their mental health and do not live in supported accommodation can access our befriending service. As the service operates in the local community, individuals must be able to leave their home independently. They can be referred by any person working with them in a professional capacity.
What happens in Befriending?
Our service users can expect to be supported by a volunteer Befriender on a one-to-one basis to engage with activities within the local community. Befriending clients are supported to devise their own personal goal plan by identifying key outcomes that they wish to achieve as a result of befriending support. It is the role of Befrienders to help motivate the client to take progressive steps towards achieving these. Befriending support is available to people for 12 months.
Our Befriending Service is only funded to support people living in Stirlingshire, Scotland.
