M&EA Agewell project having an IMPACT at Covid Vaccine clinics

IMPACTAgewell® Officers have been helping at many of the COVID19 vaccination clinics, meeting and greeting patients, checking temperatures, offering a reassuring voice and a listening ear and their presence has been said by some of the patients to be very welcome when they are feeling a bit nervous. GP surgeries have also been very appreciative of the extra hands at their extremely busy clinics.

Now approaching its fourth anniversary in April 2021, IMPACTAgewell continues to be a valuable source of support and connection to services in the Mid and East Antrim area and works with 16 GP Surgeries across the borough, eight of them in the Ballymena area, funded by the Dunhill Medical Trust and the Health and Social Care Board.

Getting the chance to see clients old and new at the vaccine clinics has also given its Project Officers a chance to raise awareness and chat about the free support that they can offer older people.

The project was originally designed to be delivered face to face to those people aged over 65, living with one long term health condition and who are registered at one of the 16 GP Practices. Following COVID 19 restrictions it has been adapted to offer telephone-based support alongside the monthly doorstep visits when allowed. The programme at present involves regular telephone calls and the delivery of free socially distanced activity packs to meet individuals needs. Support is free and lasts up to six months as needed. If you think you or someone you know could benefit, call the Partnership on 02825658604 or talk to your GP about the project.