Mapping the community - About-Us - Upstream

Mapping the community

Mentors work within the communities they serve and need to know those communities well. They cannot work alone and do not seek to duplicate what is already there. They increase the capacity or ‘social capital’ of the community by drawing on the untapped skills and experience of many older people. They encourage those organisations that are not already doing so to provide appropriate services that will stimulate greater independence for more vulnerable people within the community. Here are some aspects of ‘mapping’ that are important for mentors: 

• Geography and Demography: Activities must be as close to where people live as possible, for easier access, developing friendships, and involvement of the local community. Knowing the area, the villages, town suburbs, community focus, pockets of isolation – all this is essential to ensure an inclusive service.
• Institutions, Organisations and Clubs: Existing organisations may include the Churches and Schools (Primary and Secondary); Women’s Institute, Townswomen’s Guild, Mother’s Union; Chamber of Commerce, Lions, Over-60s Club; University of 3rd Age and WEA (Workers’ Educational Association); Sports, Drama, Local History, Painting Clubs. These provide activities to which some people can be signposted; they also provide sources of professional skills, voluntary support and venues. Such groups will often know who is new to the area, who has been in hospital recently, or lately retired or lost their partner, who might be looking for something new to occupy them, or has not been seen around for a while. Some groups might already include older people and make suitable provision for them; other groups might need help in adapting their activities to encourage more isolated people.
• Activities: As well as activities organised by these groups, there may be ad hoc activities such as community plays, visiting speakers, musical evenings, village outings. The District, Borough, Town or Parish Council might organise regular or occasional activities as part of a leisure or cultural programme or local celebration.
• Transport: Transport is vital in rural areas. Helping people to overcome transport barriers and integrating formal transport (bus) with voluntary networks (Ring & Ride, etc.) proves to be a continuous struggle. Mentors have demonstrated a clear need for better rural transport, at times and to places people want.
• Inappropriate provision, for example:
• Some adult and continuing learning provision (and local societies) are not appropriate because older people, particularly the more vulnerable, rarely want ‘accredited' learning or to be ‘taught' conventionally, or to go out in the evening. Courses often require minimum size groups, advance payments and consistent attendance - all of which can put people off.
• Although many social organisations, lunch clubs, etc. provide activities, many people find these groups do not meet their needs: activities may occupy time rather than stimulate minds; there may be too many people (problems of hearing and overcrowding), or be too formal (too much ‘business'), or uninteresting (speakers with no follow-up to the subject).