Tendring Community Assets Full Final Report

55 Sessions would engage people to cook or prepare the meal themselves under supervision, with the emphasis on making this a sociable event. 14.8.2 Food preparation sessions can be operated in schools, again catering to inter- generational groups and trying to overcome some of the barriers allowing older children to bring younger siblings to these as a free after school activity (given that teenagers can be the main carer of younger family members whilst parents are at work). Older people with cooking and food preparation skills could be encouraged to act as mentors and instructors. This may require funding, but partnership working (such as with food banks below) might share existing resources. 14.8.3 Food banks could build recipes, sharing resources with others in the district in devising the meals. The ingredients could be gathered through targeted donations in supermarkets and a recipe card prepared with simple instructions to be handed out with the food packages. Sample meals could be prepared to show the finished product. This might be used in the cooking groups and by local lunch clubs who could be asked to use the recipe for one of the lunchtime menus, also handing out the recipe cards highlighting how easy it is to prepare at home. It is recommended this is developed in partnership with organisations, such as other food banks, schools or community centres with kitchen facilities and local food stores. 14.8.4 With regard to County Lines, the Police are working with Community Safety Partners to highlight the issues which enable and result from County Lines. With good awareness training and support, organisations working with vulnerable young people and vulnerable adults could use their volunteers to work with other organisations to spot warning signs of County Lines recruitment and cuckooing and know what to do if they suspect children and/or young or vulnerable people in their care or environment may be preyed on. 14.8.5 Continue to work with GP practices and partner agencies on shared care for people with substance misuse or addiction and to raise the profile of diversionary activities available within localities. Strengthen support to people with mental health and/or drug and alcohol problems by holding locally based activities and services. Finding the bus fare or developing the personal motivation to travel long distances to appointments can be a barrier to receiving support that is needed. 14.8.6 Develop very locally based services to support those with drug and alcohol addiction, building on the one door approach and supporting access to volunteering, training activities, services, housing and employment. 14.9 Age Well - supporting people to live safely and independently as they grow older 14.9.1 Introduce a buddy system in local groups and charities to help people attend some of the social groups where access is an issue. This might involve helping them get to and from activities, or contacting them if they have missed a number of sessions or are known to have lost a partner, close relative, close friend or animial. 14.9.2 Further encourage residential homes to develop services and activities which older residents in their locality can attend. This could be attending for coffee, lunches, watching a film, joining a music session, having a supported shower/bath, visiting a hairdresser. Most of these can be done at little or no cost to the home and benefit to local people. 14.9.3 Ensure that older people can easily find information and advice on financial and benefit matters that is not reliant on Internet access. Age Concern Colchester and NE Essex are taking on advice and information services in the coming months, support to get a strong