One of the biggest challenges facing Ipswich and Suffolk is properly looking after our growing ageing population, which will require better joined-up thinking between local social services and NHS care providers to deliver more community-focussed healthcare. Our local community groups and carers already play such a vital role in looking after our elderly people, and Dan was delighted to recently visit the Debenham Project, which has been recognised as an example of best practice across Suffolk by bringing together local Social Services, charities and the NHS to support families and carers who look after elderly relatives or friends with dementia.
Supporting an elderly friend or relative with a debilitating condition can often lead to a sense of social isolation on the part of the carer, which is why community-based groups such as the Debenham project have such an important role in helping to support those who devote so much of their time caring for our local elderly people. As well as bringing together both professional support workers and volunteers alike, the Debenham Project also operates a telephone support service, advice centre and runs regular lunch clubs, to enable carers to lead lives that are as normal as possible. Dan would like to commend all of the staff, volunteers and carers at the Debenham Project on winning the Probert Trophy for Community Achievement, and to thank them for inviting him to visit.