Sawston Police Station
Building 288 IWM Duxford
DUXFORD
CB2 4QR
14
February 2003
Dear NHW
Co-ordinator
As the cold dark nights of winter approach, it seems like an
ideal time to ask for your support in an initiative being undertaken here on
Sawston Sector. Simply put, we are seeking to involve as many groups as
possible in identifying and supporting older people in the community. This is by no means new. For example, charities like ‘Help the Aged’
have been promoting the idea of care within community with their ‘Adopt a
Granny’ scheme. At Sawston we felt that NHW on the Sector could become involved
in a similar scheme in a practical ‘hands-on’ way.
My request to NHW is straightforward. Please make yourselves aware (you probably
know many already) of
older people who would
benefit from a friendly neighbour. Then, please be that friendly
neighbour. Too often we read articles
of tragedies that could have been avoided had ‘someone’ taken action. Obvious
signs such as milk not taken in, mail protruding from letterboxes, curtains
staying shut during the day (or not being shut at night) etc…are reasons to
call. Don’t stay away because you think
you might appear nosy. If you normally
exchange a greeting in passing with a near neighbour, then you are already on
the way to keeping a neighbourly eye on him/her. I know that many of you already do what I
suggest, so please don’t be offended, but I’m sure you’ll agree, the more the
merrier.
I am not
asking you to do everything! From the
Police’s standpoint, we offer various services for the elderly and vulnerable
that they might not be aware of.
·
The ‘Bobby Scheme’ is one which people might
not be aware of but could be of great value to them. This is a service where home security is addressed and the necessary
improvements made e.g. new locks, peepholes, door chains etc. I have enclosed a leaflet with the
appropriate contact number.
·
Although
you will be aware that the Community Beat Managers are involved with response
work, they are still very much concerned in crime prevention and so will be
happy to give advice to older members of the community about domestic security.
·
We have
various information leaflets and
stickers. A very useful sticker is ‘We
do not buy or sell at this door’. Just
call me and I will send whatever you feel would be of use.
·
A very
useful item I have available here is the ‘Granny Boot’. This is quite
simply a wooden doorstop, which the occupier places firmly under the door when
someone calls. It enables the occupier a
chance to see the caller without fully opening the door, and in fact, should
the caller try to push their way in, the ‘granny boot’ holds fast thereby
preventing this happening. This again is
available from me for use by older people.
·
Within
the last few weeks the DataLink scheme has been launched. Datalink is a plastic
container, which holds personal
information about medication, allergies, illnesses, next-of-kin etc. of
residents. The idea is that should any
of the emergency services be called to their house, all the details required
will be stored in a designated place (usually the fridge) and problems caused
by confusion (or unconsciousness) will be overcome. These are at present available from doctor’s
surgeries but will soon be available through me.
My previous
work with the elderly has taught me how grateful they are to find that someone
cares personally about their welfare.
You were chosen as the group in the ideal position for this initiative.
The very title speaks of caring for the community in which you live.
As this is a new initiative for the Sawston
Sector, I would be very grateful for some feedback on the reactions of the
people you make contact with
– whether good, bad or indifferent!!.
Thanking you in anticipation for your support and
participation.
Carol Wilson, Community Contact Co-ordinator