EVALUATION OF

COMMUNITY COMPANIONS MOYROSS

Summary Report 2012

Stephen Rourke

EVALUATION OF

COMMUNITY COMPANIONS MOYROSS

Summary Report

Stephen Rourke

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

Table of Contents

01 03 05 07 09 11 23 27

Foreword

Introduction

Moyross

History and Development of C.M.M.

Work and Activities of C.M.M.

C.C.M - Assessment of Outcomes and Impact

11 12 17 20

1.0 Quantitative Outcomes 2.0 Assessment of Impact on Local Residents 3.0 Assessment of Impact on Local Community and on Agencies 4.0 Staff of Community Companions

Recommendations

Conclusions

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

Foreword

oyross Community Companions is a unique project. It has been operating on the Moyross estate since 2009. The idea for the project came soon after the Masterplans for the Limerick Regeneration Programme were agreed. With the launch of the Masterplans, there were high expectations that the estates would be transformed. A group of people who were living and/or working in Moyross in professional jobs or voluntary work at that time, came together because they were concerned that regeneration was not sufficiently focused on the social the people and the community of Moyross and that, fundamentally, regeneration needed to be about them. This group met in Corpus Christi Church over a couple of weeks. From the discussions and brainstorming that took place, the concept for Community Companions emerged with the support of the Limerick Regeneration Agencies. This Report is an important document insofar as it draws attention to a type of social intervention that has proved to benefit people and has helped some to transform their lives. In 2009, the detailed model wasnt fully developed but the core idea was there. This was centred on building up social contact with people by going out to visit them, knock on the doors, and meet them in the street and at community events. Despite living in a built up estate, many people are socially isolated and, for a variety of reasons, do not participate in community life nor access the many services and activities open to them. The role of the Companions was to build up social connections with residents through this unique outreach approach, to be there to listen, offer support if needed and connect them to appropriate services. It was also seen as important to show that Moyross is a caring community. There was a sense that despite the problems on the estate, there are many examples of strong and supportive community there. In the current situation of economic crisis and challenges facing individuals and families, the importance of social support and solidarity is even more evident.

01

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

Moyross Community Companions has developed over time from this simple idea. The Companions are now well-known and available to residents on the estate and respond to a wide variety of needs visiting for a friendly chat, meeting people at social and community events on the estate, encouraging and helping people in their personal development, referrals in accessing services, and often accompanying people through serious crises. While maintaining its caring ethos, the organisation has developed a range of professional practices and techniques that ensure quality in service delivery, and accountability of the work undertaken. This evaluation report, carried out by Stephen Rourke, describes in detail the context and origins of Moyross Community Companions, and makes a comprehensive assessment of the activities and results of the project. It identifies the positive impact of the project and many examples of benefits to people on the estate. The project would not have come to fruition nor progressed without the strong commitment and voluntary effort to support it by key individuals who were there when the idea was first discussed. It could not have got off the ground and continued to operate without the funding support from the sponsors: the Limerick Regeneration Agencies, Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership and the Health Services Executive. The commitment, belief in the philosophy of the project and the personal qualities of the team of Companions are key factors in its successful implementation. Equally important is the management support given by Moyross Community Enterprise Centre and Corpus Christi Parish. It is my hope that the evaluation captured in this report will lead to all the necessary supports being made available so that this project can continue its important work. Dr Eileen Humphreys

02

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

i
Introduction

ommunity Companions Moyross (C.C.M) is a community based project located in the Moyross area of Limerick City. C.C.M. was established in early 2009 (it was originally called Corpus Christi Community Companions) and was set up to respond to the needs of people who may be lonely, who may be socially isolated and who may not be linking into the various services, supports and socialisation opportunities which exist within Moyross and the wider Limerick area. C.C.M. has visited every house in Moyross on at least three occasions since it recruited its first paid workers in March 2009. On the basis of figures contained in the 2011 Census of Population, there are a total of 778 occupied houses in Moyross. In the period from March 2009 to June 2012, C.C.M. has developed significant contacts with 324 households in Moyross and has provided a range of different supports to people living in these households. C.C.M. is a unique type of project. It is not modelled on any other project either in Ireland or further afield. Rather it is a particular response to the particular needs and circumstances which pertain in Moyross an area

which has very high levels of socioeconomic disadvantage, an area which is going through an enormous period of change (with the regeneration process and a large population decline of 46.9% between 2002 and 2011), an area which has witnessed a lot of criminality and anti-social behaviour over the last decade or so. All of these factors have resulted in many local people becoming more nervous, more prone to ill-health and depression, more isolated and more vulnerable, more uncertain about their own futures and the future of the community in which they live, less trusting and less likely to participate in community and social activities.
HOUSEHOLDS CURRENTLY IN CONTACT WITH COMMUNITY COMPANIONS MOYROSS

324

Significant Contacts means that C.C.M. has engaged with people through providing information, through becoming a regular visitor, through advocating on behalf of local residents, through bringing people to meetings and appointments and/or through getting people involved in social groups and events.
1

03

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

The independent evaluation of C.C.M. began in May 2012 and the following evaluation activities took place between May 2012 and July 2012: The evaluator met with the staff who have worked on the project since its establishment. The evaluator met with 12 members of the advisory/management committee, which was set up to support the development of the project. The evaluator met with 6 other people who are involved in delivering services to local residents in Moyross. The evaluator met with 52 local residents who have had some experience of interacting with C.C.M. Opportunities were presented to all people with whom C.C.M. has engaged to meet with the evaluator and, of these people, 52 decided to meet him. The evaluator read and analysed a number of reports produced about C.C.M., and read through publications which relate to the development of Moyross. In total, the evaluator met with over 80 people and read through over 30 different reports and documents which are relevant to the evaluation of C.C.M.

04

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

Moyross

oyross is situated to the north west of Limerick City. The houses in Moyross were built between 1973 and 1987 and are located around 12 clearly identified areas and parks. In 2006, Moyross had 1,160 houses 728 in the Ballynanty DED and 432 houses in the Limerick North Rural DED. By 2011, when all of Moyross had come within the boundaries of Limerick City Council, the number of houses had been reduced to 778 this is a very significant reduction of 32.8% in the period from 2006 to 2011. The regeneration process (which aimed to demolish all of the houses in Moyross and replace them with new houses) and the decision of a large number of families to move out of Moyross are the main reasons for the dramatic fall in the number of houses. At the time of the Census of Population in April 2011, there were 2,183 people living in Moyross 1,035 males and 1,148 females. The 2011 population of 2,183 in Moyross, is less than half of the population of Moyross in 1992 (when it stood at 4,448). The 2011 population is 34.5% less than the population in 2006 (when it stood at 3,486). This is an incredible rate of outmigration with 1,203 people having left Moyross in the five year period between

2006 and 2011. In any community in Ireland, the loss of over a third of its population in a five year period would present major challenges for community spirit, for community cohesion, and for community self-belief and confidence. A further significant outcome from the 2011 Census of Population is the ageing nature of the population in Moyross. This has implications for projects such as C.C.M. and for other agencies and organisations providing services to local residents. It is clear that from the 1970s (when the first houses were constructed and young families began to move into Moyross) through to the 1990s, Moyross had a predominantly young population with well over half of the residents aged under 25. The demographic profile has changed significantly over the last 10-15 year period, with the teenagers of the 1980s and 1990s now entering middle age and becoming parents themselves. This pattern is reflected in the figures which have emerged from the 2011 Census of Population.

05

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

Census

2011

Percentage

of

Population (%)

28.2%

15.7%

37.7%

18.4%

0 - 15

16 - 24

Age (Years)

25 - 44

55+

The 2011 Census of Population also indicates the high levels of socio-economic disadvantage within Moyross. In relation to the 11 small Census areas which comprise Moyross, there are more people defined as unemployed rather than at work within each of the 11 small areas. In relation to the population aged 15 and over (1,583 people) a total of 564 (35.6%) are unemployed, 412 (26.0%) are at work and 175 (11.1%) unable to work due to permanent illness or disability. The remainder of the adult population are students, retired or looking after the home/family. In relation to education, the vast majority of adults in Moyross had ceased their full-time education at age 18 and younger (638 out of 722 responses 88.4%) and only a relatively small percentage of the population has advanced to third level education (122 out of 1,087 responses 11.2%). The outcomes from the 2011 Census of Population also indicate, that there is a high proportion of lone parents living in Moyross. In 10 out of the 11 small Census areas within Moyross, there are more family units defined as mother and children and father and children, than there are defined as husband, wife and children. 242 family units are mother and children and father and children, whilst 172 family units are husband, wife and children and cohabiting couple and children. A final interesting figure, is the number of households with one person this is particularly useful for projects like C.C.M. which have a focus on people who may be lonely or socially isolated. The total number of people living by themselves in Moyross, is 184/23.6% (out of an overall housing stock of 778).
POPULATION OF MOYROSS (2011 CENSUS) POPULATION AGED 15 AND OVER (2011 CENSUS)

11.1%
UNABLE TO WORK

1,999 184
PEOPLE LIVING ALONE

35.6%
UNEMPLOYED

26.0%
REMAINDER OF POPULATION

AT WORK

STUDENTS/RETIRED/ OTHER

27.3%

06

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

History and Development of C.C.M.

.C.M. was developed as a result of discussions which took place within the Corpus Christi parish in Moyros, in the first half of 2008. At a number of meetings of the Lectio Divino group within the parish, people expressed concern about the number of vulnerable and isolated people within Moyross, about the fact that nobody ever calls to many houses in Moyross and about the poor take-up rate for some of the services and supports, which are available to local residents. There was a view that some initiative needed to be put in place, which would connect local residents with each other and would connect local residents with services and social opportunities. A number of evaluation interviewees referred to the visitation and befriending role which had once been performed by the nuns in the earlier history of Moyross. This role helped to ensure that local people who might wish to talk to somebody and/or who had a problem/issue they wanted to discuss, had a person to sit down with. Many of these people were vulnerable, socially isolated and disconnected from available services. With a declining and ageing profile amongst their communities, the nuns are no longer in

a position to provide a comprehensive visitation and befriending role within the Moyross area. Until the advent of C.C.M, this role had not been filled by any other group or organisation. In May-June 2008, the discussions which began at the Lectio Divino meetings were broadened out to include other individuals and agencies within the Moyross area. An informal group was set up to develop a proposal around home visits, meeting people in the community, being available for people to talk and chat, building up the confidence and self-esteem of local people and enabling and empowering people to access services. The proposal which resulted in the establishment of Corpus Christi Community Companions (later to be renamed Community Companions Moyross) was considered by the Regeneration Agencies and they recommended, that the project should become more integrated with other community structures in Moyross. This resulted in Moyross Community Enterprise Centre (M.C.E.C.) becoming the contracting organisation for money received and for the employment of C.C.M staff. In November 2008, the Limerick Regeneration Agencies agreed to part fund the project, for two thirds of the cost of the first year pilot phase. The total budgeted cost of the

07

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

project in year one was 150,000. The Regeneration Agencies contributed 100,000 and the balance of funding was approved through the L.E.D.P. (with the L.E.D.P. directly contributing 25,000 and the L.E.D.P. also acting as a conduit for channelling a donation of 25,000 from one particular individual). Three paid workers were recruited for the C.C.M. in early 2009. These workers, who took up employment on 23rd March 2009, were a full-time Team Leader and two Community Companions (one employed on a full-time basis and one on a part-time basis). Employment levels have fluctuated throughout the last three years and there are currently two paid workers a Team Leader and a full-time Community Companion. Having successfully achieved a number of important start-up tasks (e.g. familiarisation with the Moyross area, setting up an office, training in key skills, teambuilding within paid staff, development of policies), the staff began the process of calling in to every house in Moyross in June 2009. This has remained at the core of C.C.M.s work in the period from June 2009 to July 2012 and the C.C.M. project has now completed three full rounds of visits to every house in Moyross over the last three year period. A large and increasing number of houses have been visited on many more occasions, as local residents

seek assistance about particular issues or difficulties they are experiencing in their lives.

FUNDERS OF C.C.M. 2009 - 2012

C.C.M.

08

H.S.E

RE

GE

NE

RA

TI O

N L. E. D. P.

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

Work and Activities of C.C.M

he core activity of C.C.M. has remained constant since its inception in 2009. This activity is about meeting people from Moyross (primarily in their own home, but also in other community settings including the C.C.M. offices); being available to people who wish to talk and perhaps discuss some issues or concerns in their lives; and helping people to work through these issues and concerns. On the basis of talking to people, and building up certain levels of trust and confidence, the Community Companions can then be of assistance in a number of ways. The nature of the assistance provided will differ from person to person. However, on the basis of experiences over the last number of years, assistance offered by C.C.M. seems to fall within the following categories: 1. Befriending and regular visits. There are many people who are not visited by anyone and who are marginalised and isolated from their neighbours in Moyross. Over the last three years, Community Companions would have maintained regular contact (by visits and by phone) with a number of people living by themselves, who welcome the opportunity to talk to a person such as a Community

Companion. It demonstrates to them that people care about how they are and are concerned about their health and welfare. 2. Provision of information and advice. As part of their induction and ongoing work Community Companions have made contact with every relevant agency, organisation and group which provides services to people from Moyross. The Companions know what these bodies do, how they can help and who to contact within them. With this information at their disposal, Community Companions provide advice and guidance to local residents about a whole range of various services and support which are available to them (but which they may not have known about beforehand, or did not know how to access/contact). 3. Making referrals and taking referrals. With the consent of individual residents, C.C.M. makes referrals to appropriate agencies and organisations (e.g. H.S.E., Limerick City Council etc.) in relation to particular problems which the residents may be experiencing in their lives. In many cases the local resident does not have the information, knowledge and/or confidence to make these referrals or contacts by themselves. In other cases, C.C.M. take referrals from agencies and organisations who feel that the visitation and befriending roles of C.C.M. could be of benefit to their clients and service users.

09

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

4. Advocacy. C..C.M. acts as an advocate for people who might be unwilling, unable or reluctant to approach and access various services. This might be on account of literacy and learning difficulties (e.g. filling in forms), lack of confidence and self-esteem (about making a phone call or attending first appointment) or opening up to others about the fact that a difficulty does exist (e.g. child sexual abuse). In these situations C.C.M will do whatever it can to assist and to advocate it will write the letter, it will complete the form, it will make the first contact, it will set up the first meeting or appointment and it will accompany the person to the first meeting or appointment. 5. Linking people up with existing groups and courses. There are a large number of community groups and support groups (e.g. for people dealing with mental health issues and addiction) in Moyross and in other parts of Limerick City. C.C.M. know about these groups and about ways in which people they visit and meet, could benefit from participation in these groups. C.C.M. has played an important role in linking local residents up with existing groups, through providing information about what these groups do, about how they might be able to assist the local residents. For people who may be

a bit nervous or lacking in confidence, Community Companions bring them along to their first group meeting. 6. Helping to set up new groups and initiatives. There have been a number of occasions where local residents have said that they would like to get involved in a particular activity, but unfortunately that activity is not available in the Moyross area. In these circumstances, C.C.M. has adopted a pro-active approach through initially trying to identify if an existing local group would be interested in running the activity. If not, C.C.M. would then take direct responsibility for setting up the activity they have set up activities around walking, beauty and well-being classes, coffee mornings, knitting and zumba dancing.

10

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

C.C.M. - Assessment of Outcomes & Impact

1.0

QUANTITATIVE OUTCOMES

arlier reference has been made to the fact, that there are 778 occupied houses in the Moyross area. All of these occupied houses have been visited by Community Companions on at least three occasions and it is estimated that C.C.M. has connected, in significant and meaningful ways with 324 households in Moyross. This represents 41.6% of the total number of households in Moyross. This is a major achievement within a three year period, in an area, where there are certain levels of suspicion and antipathy, towards engaging with statutory agencies and voluntary organisations.

Over the course of the nine month period from September 2011 to June 2012, C.C.M. developed contacts and relationships with 288 residents who had previously not been supported or assisted by C.C.M. The number of new contacts between September 2011 and June 2012 is proportionately higher than in the preceding 15 months. Over 70 people have been befriended and have regular (generally monthly) contact with C.C.M. These are generally people living alone in Moyross who would like some company. Many of these people are elderly and C.C.M. has managed to link some of them into services which they did not know about and/or they did not know how to access. C.C.M. has given out information in relation to 975 requests for information or in situations where the Community Companions considered it useful if individual residents were made aware of services, activities and courses which were taking place in Moyross or in other locations within Limerick City. C.C.M. has carried out 1,811 followups between June 2009 and June 2012. C.C.M define follow-ups as an agreement between the Community Companion and the resident, that the Companion would return with information or call again to see if the resident is alright.

In analysing the 324 households which have benefited from the work of C.C.M. the following outcomes emerge in relation to the types of assistance provided by C.C.M. between June 2009 and June 2012:
C.C.M. has made 10,458 individual contacts with local residents in the Moyross area. These contacts have been by meeting people, by phoning people and by texting people, to inform them of events and activities which are taking place in the community.

11

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

288

NEW CONTACTS
September 2011 - June 2012

1811
FOLLOW-UPS
June 2009 - June 2012

C.C.M. has made 205 referrals to various organisations and agencies in relation to residents who could benefit from the services provided by these organisations and agencies. C.C.M. has also received 64 referrals from organisations and agencies who are concerned about local residents and feel that it would be very useful for the Community Companions to visit, to see if the resident is alright and to provide some company. C.C.M. has provided advocacy services on 676 occasions over the last three years. In relation to C.C.M.s work, advocacy generally means making a phone call on behalf of a local resident, speaking up for a local resident and/ or helping a local resident to access a particular service or entitlement. C.C.M. has assisted over 100 local residents to become involved in social and community activities within the Moyross area. Some of these activities were already in existence e.g. gymnasium, mother and toddler group, active residents group, Sunflower Bereavement Group. Other activities were set up by C.CM in response to requests from local residents. C.C.M. has played an important role in enabling over 90 people to participate in local support groups

(run by organisations such as Grow and Barnardos); in education and training courses (around topics such as parenting, computers, healthy living); and in services being provided by employment agencies such as FS and the Local Employment Service. In the absence of C.C.M., it is unlikely that many of these 90 people would have had the knowledge, enthusiasm or awareness to access and link up with the various groups, courses and agencies.

ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT ON LOCAL RESIDENTS

2.0

n considering the impact of the work of C.C.M. over the last three years earlier references have been made to the fact that the project has provided assistance to people living in 324 households within Moyross. This represents over 40% of the occupied houses in Moyross. The evaluation report will now assess the ways in which the supports and services provided by C.C.M have assisted local residents and helped these residents to link into other services. 1. BEFRIENDING AND SOCIALISATION Many of the evaluation interviewees said that they were lonely and isolated before the Community Companions made contact with them. They did not go out much, they had few friends (if any) and they only had limited contact with family members. A number said that they were

12

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

miserable and suffering from depression. On the basis of feedback from the evaluation interviewees, it is evident that C.C.M. made an important and valuable contribution to improving the quality of life and contentment levels of people who were lonely and isolated within Moyross. Some of these people benefited enormously from the regular home visits by the Companions whilst others were encouraged by the Companions to link into different social and community activities. X from Community Companions was the first person to get in through my door in 6 years. - Local Resident I would not be looking forward to the future if it were not for Community Companions. I would be stuck at home and not have any visits. - Local Resident I was nervous at the start when I first began going to the coffee mornings. I had not been out of the house for a while and I had become a bit of a loner. I really enjoy the coffee mornings now and it has been good for my own confidence. - Local Resident I have made good friends through the coffee mornings. When I am going through Moyross now I stop and chat to people that I have met at the coffee mornings. Before the coffee mornings I hardly knew anyone. - Local Resident 2. PROVISION OF INFORMATION TO LOCAL RESIDENTS Many residents said that they are now involved in activities, groups and courses which they would not have known about if it were not for the information provided by C.C.M. Local residents are generally delighted to have joined various activities, groups and courses; and feel that there have been benefits from this participation health benefits, education benefits, employment benefits, self-esteem and confidence benefits. It is clear that there is no shortage of groups and activities in Moyross. However, there is an issue about sharing and disseminating information about these groups/activities in an accessible way and, equally as important, assisting local residents in deciding which activity or group would be best for them. It is evident that C.C.M. has provided the necessary information, encouraged participation and helped residents to decide to get involved in a particular group or activity. There are lots of services in Moyross but these services are often not accessed by the most vulnerable, less confident and more isolated members of the community. Community Companions has changed this for the better. - Local Resident Companions will always contact you if there is anything taking place in the community. They will text you. - Local Resident If you have a problem they will do some research, get some information and try to help you. - Local Resident

13

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

* the project has provided assistance to over 40% of the occupied houses in Moyross

I would not know where to go to look for help about a lot of things if it were not for Community Companions. They have lots of information and they know the right people in the right agencies. They even have mobile telephone numbers for these people and they can get through right away. It would take me forever to get the right person who could sort out my problem. - Local Resident I didnt have a anything about me and helped bus pass soon have happened bus pass and didnt know it. X got the form for me to fill it in. I got the after that. This would not without X. - Local Resident

I was thinking about suicide and was saved by X from Community Companions who referred me to a really good counsellor. - Local Resident Community Companions really helped me to get the Carers Allowance and to work out a payment schedule with the ESB. My electricity bill had gone out of control and they were going to cut me off. Community Companions gave me a lot of help and advice. - Local Resident I went for counselling in a place in Henry Street. It helped me to deal with a lot of stuff that took place in my childhood. I feel a lot better now less angry, more content. I would never have heard of this counselling except for Community Companions. - Local Resident 4. ADVOCACY WORK ON BEHALF OF LOCAL RESIDENTS The evaluation interviews clearly demonstrated the fact that many local residents felt they did not have the confidence or the skills to be able to access various services from which they could benefit and different benefits to which they were entitled. There may have been literacy problems, there may have been low levels of self-esteem and self-confidence, there may have been a fear of being rejected and being made feel foolish. These were barriers which prevented people pursuing services and entitlements/benefits. In many of these cases, as well as providing information,

3. ACCESSING SERVICES & SUPPORTS On the basis of the figures set out earlier in this section of the evaluation report it is clear that C.C.M. has played a significant role in enabling a large number of people in Moyross to access services being provided by statutory agencies, voluntary organisations and community groups. C.C.M .has been the buffer or bridge between services which are available and local residents who could benefit from being linked into these services but who, before C.C.M., either did not know about them or did not have the confidence and to be able to access them. It is clear that C.C.M. has facilitated people in accessing services (e.g. through information and referrals) and that local people have derived a whole range of benefits through being linked into these services.

14

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

C.C.M. played an active advocacy role on behalf of the local resident. It is evident that many local residents would not have succeeded in securing services and benefits without the active advocacy of C.C.M. in the absence of C.C.M. the local residents would possibly not have had the necessary confidence, self-belief or perseverance. I needed some counselling for sexual abuse that happened earlier in my life. I did not know where to go to deal with this issue and with a lot of anger. I am dyslexic and could not fill in the forms. Community Companions were really good in showing me where to go and in filling in the forms. - Local Resident Community Companions will make the introductory phone call on behalf of people and, if necessary, will come along with them to a meeting or appointment. - Local Resident Community Companions got me involved in Reiki and onto a lot of courses. This would not have happened without Community Companions talking to people for me. I did not have the confidence at that time to speak for myself or to ask the right questions. I do have the confidence now. - Local Resident 5. EMPOWERMENT AND IMPROVEMENT IN SELF CONFIDENCE Evaluation interviewees talked about the ways in which their confidence and self-belief have been boosted as a result of the visits from Community Companions and the different actions which emerged from these visits and talks actions such as joining social groups, linking into services, signing up for courses. Interviewees made the important point that whilst Community Companions presented different options and opportunities, the final decisions always rested with the individual resident. They always did what they thought was best for themselves. The clear sense from the interviews is that the local residents felt empowered by the process and that they felt more confident having made decisions about their own lives (albeit with information and advice provided by C.C.M.). Community Companions has given me the self-confidence and the encouragement to begin starting to do things for myself. - Local Resident They are very good. They are not in the business of giving answers or solutions. They are there to listen and to let you come up with your own answers. - Local Resident Community Companions is a safe space. They do not come up with answers or solutions. They present options and ideas, and it is up to people themselves to decide what to do. - Local Resident They are not trying to come in to fix people. They will, however, give people a gentle nudge in the right direction. - Local Resident

15

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

PARTICIPATING IN LOCAL SUPPORT GROUPS AS A RESULT OF COMMUNITY COMPANIONS

* They are not trying to come in to fix people. They will, however, give people a gentle nudge in the right direction - Local Resident
more personal issues. These might be issues concerning parents and siblings or issues concerning partners and children. Whilst C.C.M would not claim to have a particular expertise concerning relationships and family situations, it does have information and knowledge about who to approach in situations where there are personal difficulties and problems. It is evident that C.C.M has provided useful information and advice on a number of personal and/or sensitive issues. My family are always lecturing me and giving out to me about what I should do. Community Companions do not do this. They listen. They give advice and then I make up my own mind. - Local Resident If there are things that I dont want to talk to my sons and daughters about because they might get worried or upset, it is good to be able to talk to Community Companions about those things. - Local Resident I was at a very low point in my life and then X from Community Companions came calling at my house one morning. It was just what I needed. I broke down and I cried my eyes out in front of X. She listened and she was very good to me. Ever since that time Community Companions have been there for me. I know I can give them a ring at any time if I have a problem or if I just want to talk to them. They have also helped me to get a Garda Clearance Card for Limerick Prison. - Local Resident

90
OVER PEOPLE
6. HEALTH & WELL-BEING OUTCOMES The C.C.M. project has had a positive impact on the health and well-being of local residents living in the Moyross area. On the basis of evaluation interviewees it is evident that some residents have succeeded in accessing primary, preventative care rather than more expensive long-term care. It is also apparent that there have been positive mental health and happiness outcomes from people who have decided to engage in the C.C.M. project. Their decision to participate in the initiative has been more positive than deciding to live a more isolated and lonely existence. Without Community Companions a lot more people would be dead or in psychiatric wards within hospitals. - Local Resident Loss, chronic ill-health, bereavement and uncertainty are regular themes in conversations. Suicidal thoughts and feelings are regularly spoken about as well as bereavement through suicide. It is also striking to hear a significant number of women mention regular use of relaxants or anti-depressants or something for my anxiety or panic attacks. - Member of Staff Team 7. DEALING WITH PERSONAL ISSUES AND PROBLEMS Whilst some local residents in Moyross requested assistance in accessing services and supports within the Moyross area, it is also clear that many local residents wanted help in dealing with

16

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

8. IMPROVED PARENTING AND FAMILY SKILLS Many people supported and assisted by C.C.M. have said that they are now more content, happier in themselves and better able to cope with life. This is due to the various supports provided by C.C.M. e.g. the regular monthly visits to talk and chat about things, the social opportunities, the ways in which C.C.M. has linked people into local groups and agencies. Evaluation interviewees said their own increased contentment and growing self-confidence had also impacted positively upon their relationships with family and children. They were calmer and less angry with their children, they had become better listeners and they had more time and tolerance for their children. In relation to improved parenting, it is also clear that some parents accessed mother and toddler groups and Barnardos Friendship group as a direct result of information and advice provided by C.C.M. I am less stressed and I am calmer with the kids. I feel better in myself and I know that Community Companions is somewhere I can go if it all gets too much for me. - Local Resident Community Companions has made me more positive and I have gone off medication with the approval of my doctor. I had been taking this medication for depression. The drugs had made me into a zombie and I would have been a terrible mother if I was still on the drugs. - Local Resident

ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT ON LOCAL COMMUNITY AND ON AGENCIES

1. INTEGRATION INTO COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE C.C.M. has become an important part of the community infrastructure in Moyross over the last three-year period. At the start many groups and organisations did not really know what C.C.M. was all about and what supports and services it could offer to local residents. It is probably true to say that C.C.M. themselves were not absolutely sure about these issues either at the start of the project. However, as it has evolved over the last three years C.C.M. has become more definite about its roles and functions and, by extension, community groups and statutory agencies are now a lot more aware of what C.C.M. does. For example, these groups and agencies are now a lot more likely to ask C.C.M. to visit particular households where they have some concerns or worries (e.g. they feel that people might be getting isolated and spending too much time by themselves). C.C.M. has made a huge contribution to regeneration. It is not only about building houses. Social regeneration and community regeneration are also really important. C.C.M. is a vital cog in keeping the community going and in keeping the community informed. - Employee of Statutory Agency

3.0

17

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

PEOPLE BEFRIENDED AND HAVING REGULAR (MONTHLY) CONTACT WITH C.C.M

REFERRALS GOING OUT TO AND COMING IN FROM VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS AND AGENCIES
GOING OUT COMING IN

70
OVER PEOPLE
The number of referrals we are receiving from some of the most needy people in Moyross has increased a lot since C.C.M. was set up. - Employee of Statutory Agency C.C.M. can have the sort of chat and discussion about encouraging and persuading people to access services which we cannot have. We do not have the time to do house visits to every house in Moyross. It is not our job and we would be treated with a lot more suspicion and animosity because we are from a statutory agency. - Employee of Statutory Agency Community Companions are ideally placed to have the kind of quiet gentle conversation with people which often leads to these people accessing services and supports which will be of benefit to them. - Employee of Statutory Agency 2. INCREASED AWARENESS AND IMPROVED ATTENDANCE As a result of the work of C.C.M. there is now a greater awareness and understanding of the services being provided by different organisations in Moyross. As well as providing the factual information (i.e. what is the service? when does the service take place? where does it take place?), Community Companions are also able to explain why a particular service might be relevant to the needs and circumstances of individual residents e.g. why Grow meetings might be helpful for people with mental health issues.

205 64
REFERRALS REFERRALS

Community Companions also provide the necessary encouragement which finally persuade people to attend various services and supports. It is also evident that attendance levels at appointments is much improved as a result of C.C.M.s text reminder service (where they will text people to remind them of an appointment or meeting which they have the next day). Community Companions explained to me exactly what this service does and how it might help me. They were also able to answer questions about the service which I would not have asked the service themselves. I did not have the confidence and would have felt stupid asking very simple questions. - Local Resident Over a third of the people who use our service do not turn up for appointments. They forget about them or other things are happening in their lives. The noshow rates are a lot lower for people in contact with Community Companions because the Companions remind them of the appointment on the day before and help them work through the issue which might be preventing them attend an appointment. - Employee of Statutory Agency 3. VALUE OF PREVENTATIVE WORK Evaluation interviewees commented upon the value of preventative work and being able to intervene in a particular problem before it becomes too serious or too acute. People from statutory agencies say that they are dealing primarily with very severe and very acute cases (e.g. in

18

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

relation to issues such as mental health, depression, suicidal thoughts, addiction) and that they do not have the time or resources to intervene at a much earlier stage when more positive outcomes would be more likely. In this context the work of C.C.M. is really appreciated with healthcare professionals saying that it is good to have Companions visiting every house in Moyross, being aware of problems or difficulties which might exist within particular houses and linking up people with relevant services and supports, before the problems became too extreme and serious. Our agency can do a lot more if we can get people at an early stage of their illness or condition. Community Companions can put these people in contact with us. If we get them early there are likely to be much better outcomes and results for the service user. - Employee of Statutory Agency I would have ended up in a psychiatric unit for months if it had not been for Community Companions and the way that they brought me along to the Grow meetings. - Local Resident At the end of the day it is going to cost the State a lot more to be looking after people in institutions and hospitals and nursing homes than it is for people to remain in their own homes being supported by organisations such as Community Companions. - Employee of Statutory Agency It is far better to get people at an early stage when they are capable of dealing with issues rather than when it is too late or desperate. People are more resilient, hopeful and less full of despair if you can get them early. - Employee of Statutory Agency 4. ECONOMIC IMPACT & COST BENEFITS Although it is difficult to quantify the economic benefits of C.C.M.s work, it is clear that the activities of C.C.M. have resulted in cost savings for the State. The support provided by C.C.M. to older people living alone and the ways in which C.C.M. has linked up these older people with home helps and home-help packages, has enabled older people to remain living at home and not to move into long term residential settings. This has resulted in savings to the State as have the people who have not had to access residential psychiatric units on account of the support provided by C.C.M. In respect of the 52 evaluation interviewees, it is estimated that there have been savings to the State in relation to 13 of these people - savings in providing accommodation for older people, savings in addiction and mental health services. When I went to Community Companions I wanted to go onto Disability Allowance. They encouraged me to look at educational courses. I am going to start a course in September and when I get a job after this course I will be helping the country rather than taking money from the country. - Local Resident

19

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

PEOPLE ASSISTED TO BECOME INVOLVED IN SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

ADVOCACY PROVIDED BY COMMUNITY COMPANIONS MOYROSS FOR RESIDENTS ON

100

OVER

LOCAL RESIDENTS

June 2009 - June 2012

676

I would never have been able to survive in the community without the help of X from Community Companions. She put me in contact with the right people who are now able to help me. Without these people I would have ended up in a nursing home. - Local Resident Before I met the Companions I had been in and out of the psychiatric unit of the Regional Hospital every month or so. As a result of the regular visits from y and the fact that I can contact her when I am feeling stressed and under pressure, I have not had to go into unit 5B for over 9 months. - Local Resident I used to be on a lot of medication which made me into a zombie and which cost a lot of money. The H.S.E. paid for my medicine. Having talked to X from Companions and to my doctor I am now on a lot less medication. I feel much better in myself and am able to cope with life a lot more. My own drugs bill has also come way down. - Local Resident

primarily about the skills and abilities of the various Community Companions and that C.C.M. has been fortunate in having four highly competent paid workers (two of whom have left the project). Local residents have been very impressed by the Companions and a number of them said that they would be very wary about letting anybody into their house but were happy to build up the contact and the relationship with the Companions because they liked them, because they trusted them, because they were nonthreatening and non-judgemental, because they were genuinely interested and concerned about the welfare and wellbeing of local residents. I got a text from X in Community Companions last Saturday, after having had a really long talk with her on Thursday about a very difficult situation in my life. In the text she said Thinking of you and do something nice today. This meant a lot to me so I went into town and bought myself a top. - Local Resident X from Community Companions knocked at my door. I liked the look of her face. She said Good morning and how are you. I took to her straight away. - Local Resident Community Companions have a good approach. They are gentle, they are caring and they know what they are talking about. A little chat with them can lead to something more important taking place. For me I am now going to counselling for a bad thing that happened to me when I was a teenager. - Local Resident

OCCASIONS

4.0

STAFF OF COMMUNITY COMPANIONS

he staff of C.C.M. have played a major role in the achievements and outcomes set out in this evaluation report. Feedback from local residents who have come into contact with C.C.M. would strongly demonstrate that C.C.M. is

20

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

They are better than family. Families will take sides and not always give you good advice. Community Companions listen to you and give you ideas. - Local Resident Community Companions have tremendous listening skills. They understand what the problems are and they know where to go for help and advice about these problems. - Local Resident In the opinion of this evaluator C.C.M. should remain persistent and should aim to call around to every house in Moyross on at least an annual basis. I wasnt interested at the start. Another time when they came I really needed to talk and they arrived at a perfect time for me. - Local Resident Everything was getting in on me. On the first two times the Companions called I wasnt interested. On the third time I was all over the place. I needed to talk and to get stuff out of my system, I welled up and cracked up in front of them. - Local Resident Expediency and speed of response. Evaluation interviewees referred to the fact that C.C.M. will try to respond as quickly as possible when local people wish to meet them and to talk to them about various issues. There is no standing on ceremony or slotting people into a diary next week or the week after. There are lots of situations where the Companions have met people within an hour of being contacted by them. This type of rapid response can be critical for people dealing with very serious and difficult problems in their lives. The speed of response is appreciated by local residents, as is the fact that the Companions will stay with people for as long as it takes. People are not limited

over the last three years, it is clear their approach, to their work which are particularly important and noteworthy. that there are a number of aspects to

Community Companions

In

considering the ways in which has developed

These

are as follows:

They are persistent and resilient. At this stage C.C.M. has called to every house in Moyross on at least three occasions. At times, the Companions have wondered about the wisdom of calling back to houses where people were not interested in connecting with C.C.M. However, the experiences of the last three years would indicate that people simply do not know when they might need assistance from C.C.M. and it might just be the case that it is precisely when the Companions call around is the time when a local resident might really have a need to talk to someone about some issue in their lives.

21

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

HOUSEHOLDS CURRENTLY IN CONTACT WITH COMMUNITY COMPANIONS MOYROSS

INFORMATION GIVEN OUT AS A RESULT OF COMMUNITY COMPANIONS

324
to 30 minutes or 45 minutes and C.C.M do not impose any time limit on how long they will spend with people it could be two or three hours. I had a problem last Monday. I came up to see X from Community Companions and she saw me straight away and helped me. - Local Resident Community Companions are really approachable and will always have time for you. There is no such thing as I am in a rush or Your 30 minutes is up. I have to go to my next appointment. - Local Resident On a couple of occasions I called around to see X from Community Companions at about 4 or 5 oclock in the evening. I could see that she was getting ready to go home but she stayed with me for another hour or two and listened to what I had to say. - Local Resident Importance of trust and keeping confidences. One of the main reasons C.C.M. has worked is that the Community Companions are trusted. They are trusted not to divulge sensitive information about local residents to other people and agencies. They are trusted to do the right thing in relation to providing advice and guidance. The Companions are being told things that local residents have not said to anyone outside of family and close friends. Indeed in many cases family and close friends have not even been told either, because they would go crazy and emotional or because friends and family

REQUESTS ANSWERED

975

are part of the problem. On the basis of evaluation interviews, it appears that the Companions are being trusted with very sensitive and intimate information and that local people are absolutely sure that this trust will not be breached. There are lots of bad things happening in my life and it is great to have somebody like X from Community Companions to talk to. She is not involved in the shit I am going through and it is really good to have X to talk to every now and again. - Local Resident I trust X from Community Companions more than anyone else. I once told my neighbour something about my children and the neighbour immediately got in contact with my son. This caused all sorts of trouble and should not have happened. It would not happen with Community Companions. - Local Resident People in Moyross are extremely cautious and suspicious about statutory agencies and also about some of the community services within the area. In this kind of situation it is very positive that C.C.M. has built up such a good relationship with many residents and is trusted by these residents. - Employee of Statutory Agency People have been let down on lots of occasions by agencies and by their own families. They do not trust people very easily so it is a big achievement for Community Companions to have gained their trust. - Member of C.C.M. Management Committee

22

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

Recommendations
CONTINUATION OF C.C.M PROJECT Recommendation No. 1 The C.C.M. project should be continued into the future. The experiences from 2009 to 2012 clearly demonstrate that the project is performing a role not being performed by any other organisation in Moyross, and that it is reaching many local residents who are not being reached by other organisations and agencies. Recommendation No. 2 The core work of C.C.M. should remain the visits to the houses of local people, meeting people at various community activities and events and meeting people on the street. These types of contacts and engagements are at the centre of C.C.M.s work and it is from these contacts and meetings with local people that other activities and supports will emerge and flow. Recommendation No. 3 The menu of supports and services to be provided by C.C.M. will include befriending; provision of information; advice and guidance; advocacy; linking local residents into existing agencies; referrals; encouraging participation in existing social and community activities; and, when required, setting up new social activities. TARGET POPULATION Recommendation No. 4 C.C.M. should continue to adopt a universal approach in its work through which it would aim to develop contacts and relationships with every household in the Moyross area. This universal approach is most likely to succeed in getting C.C.M. in contact with the most vulnerable and isolated residents and in enabling these residents to connect with services before their own situations become too serious or acute. Recommendation No. 5 C.C.M. should put together a special initiative which would aim to target young people between the ages of 18 and 30 with a particular focus on young parents with children. This initiative might involve the organisation of activities and events which are most likely to attract this demographic group and involve developing the on-going relationship with the local national and with organisations like Barnardos.

23

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

Recommendation No. 6 C.C.M. should consider setting up a Meet and Greet welcoming programme for the new residents and families who will be moving into Moyross in the next few years the first 32 new houses are nearing completion. C.C.M. is already in contact with an organisation called C.A.F.T.A. in relation to a similar initiative which is taking place as part of the regeneration of Ballymun. CO-ORDINATION & COLLABORATION Recommendation No. 7 C.C.M. should continue to collaborate and to build up contacts and relationships with other relevant agencies and organisations within the Moyross area. It is encouraging that C.C.M is part of inter-agency structures such as the Ballynanty Moyross Community Health Forum and that it is working closely with the local school. Recommendation No. 8 C.C.M. should continue to share information with other agencies and organisations, which would improve the quality of life for local residents and enable these residents to link into services and supports which will

be of benefit to them. This sharing of information and referrals would only take place with the consent of the involved residents. ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT & EFFECTIVENESS Recommendation No. 9 Annual review and planning meetings should take place of the C.C.M. management committee and staff. These meetings would review the progress made in the previous year (vis-a-vis objectives and targets within Strategic Plan and annual work programme) and make plans for the next twelve-month period. Those plans and decisions would then be incorporated into the annual work programme for the next year. Recommendation No. 10 The existing reporting and information gathering systems within C.C.M. should be reviewed. They seem to be fairly excessive for a relatively small project. This especially applies to the 19 quality of life indicators (is it necessary or possible to slot all people into these indicators?). The current reports produced by the C.C.M. Team Leader would seem to be a very adequate reporting mechanism.

24

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

Recommendations
STAFFING AND RESOURCING OF CCM Recommendation No. 11 C.C.M. should aim to employ three full-time workers. These would comprise the current Team Leader, the current Community Companion plus one additional Companion. As C.C.M. becomes better known and as the demands on its resources increase and grow, it will be necessary to employ an additional paid worker to respond to these demands. provision of monthly befriending services). If volunteers are not still available from the original training programme it might be necessary to run another volunteer training programme. Recommendation No. 14 C.C.M. needs to secure a three year funding package (2013-2016) to cover salary costs, running costs and other overheads. The cost of this package, to be sourced from a number of funders, could be approximately 100,000 150,000 per year. C.C.M. should use the outcomes from this evaluation report (e.g. value of preventative work, vulnerable people accessing services, referrals to and from C.C.M.) to persuade relevant funders of the value of supporting C.C.M. Recommendation No. 15 C.C.M. should aim to diversify its funding base and to link into agencies and organisations which are in a position to provide longterm sustained funding (e.g. the H.S.E. has provided on-going funding to hundreds of organisations in the voluntary sector for many years). Rather than time limited funders (e.g. Limerick Regeneration monies

Recommendation No. 12 The employer of the C.C.M. workers and the management committee for the C.C.M. project needs to ensure that the terms and conditions of employment for the paid workers are reasonable and fair. Whilst recognising the current economic constraints, it is suggested that the paid workers be placed on a salary scale. Recommendation No. 13 C.C.M. need to recruit 6-8 active volunteers to support and complement the C.C.M. paid workers. C.C.M. needs to determine the most effective roles for volunteers (e.g.

25

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

channelled through Limerick City Council) C.C.M. should focus more attention on more permanent funders. Recommendation No. 16 C.C.M. should be more targeted in its fundraising strategies. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all strategy, C.C.M. should identify 4-6 funding sources and direct personalised funding proposals to these sources e.g. if approaching the addiction or mental health sections of the H.S.E., C.C.M. would emphasise the ways in which it has succeeded in enabling many people from Moyross to access addiction and mental health services between 2009 and 2012. PROMOTION & PUBLICISING OF C.C.M Recommendation No. 17 C.C.M. should produce Annual Reports and twice yearly newsletters which would be distributed to relevant agencies and organisations funders, other relevant agencies, other organisations within the community and voluntary sector. It is considered important to keep key agencies informed about the work and achievements of C.C.M. so that they will be supportive of C.C.M. (and perhaps lend their support to funding applications).

Recommendation No. 18 C.C.M. should develop greater public awareness and understanding of its work and activities. This could be achieved through the aforementioned newsletters and it could also be developed through a publicity strategy which might include seeking media coverage in local newspapers and radio, and the establishment of a website. The better the profile and understanding of C.C.M., the better is the chance of securing financial support. STRATEGIC PLAN Recommendation No 19 C.C.M. should produce a Strategic Plan for the period from 2013 to 2016. The Strategic Plan should include a short section on the history and achievements of C.C.M. and proceed to set out the objectives, goals and targets for C.C.M. between 2013 and 2016. The strategic planning process should be completed by December 2012 (with the final agreed Strategic Plan becoming operational in January 2013).

26

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

27

Summary Report

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

Conclusions
The C.C.M. project has achieved a significant amount since its establishment in 2009 it has provided practical and meaningful assistance to over 40% of the households in Moyross; it has had nearly 10,500 individual contacts over the last three years; over 70 people have been befriended on a regular basis; C.C.M. has responded to and given out 975 separate pieces of information about different issues and activities; it has made over 200 referrals; and it has facilitated the participation of over 100 residents in various social and community activities. These types of outcomes certainly vindicate the views and opinions of the C.C.M. founders back in 2008 when they identified the need for such a project to tackle loneliness and social isolation and to link vulnerable people into available services and supports. A solid and impressive start has been made by C.C.M. in the period from 2009 to 2012. It is now very well known in Moyross, is well respected by statutory agencies and voluntary organisations and is integrated into the community infrastructure in Moyross. The key challenge is to build on these positive outcomes and to sustain the project over the next three year period both in relation to residents with whom C.C.M. is already well connected (where strong trusting bonds have developed) and in relation to those residents who have not yet engaged with C.C.M. in any meaningful way. C.C.M. has clearly demonstrated that it is performing an important and unique role in Moyross no other agency is actively calling upon every household in Moyross on an annual basis to see how people are keeping and whether people would like to talk to Community Companions (perhaps about particular issues and concerns in their lives). These talks have then led onto other important activities and outcomes referrals, linking into services, advocacy, advice and guidance, provision of information, involvement in social groups and activities. Following its initial three year pilot phase between 2009 and 2012 it is most important that C.C.M. remains in existence and continues to provide important supports and services to people living in Moyross. For this to happen it will require the C.C.M. staff and management committee to remain dedicated and committed and it will require funders to contribute 100,000 - 150,000 per year to a project which is achieving significant outcomes and which has benefited many hundreds of people living in the Moyross area.

28

Summary Report 2012

Evaluation of Community Companions Moyross

MOYROSS COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE CENTRE

DESIGN: TELEPHONE: E-MAIL:

Glen O'Sullivan (085) 736 5669 glensullie@gmail.com