Book delivery service reaches all-time high
Warwickshire Libraries are celebrating the success of the Rural Housebound Service which is now enjoying its highest ever rate of users.
190 service users are now enjoying the benefits of the service, a partnership between Warwickshire County Council and Age Concern Warwickshire, which takes books and audio books to homes around the more isolated, rural pockets of the south and east of the county and distributes general useful information.
Older people, who are confined through ill health to their homes and who might otherwise be unable to enjoy the stock, can enrol on the service. Usually they are referred by GPs, social workers or Age Concern Warwickshire itself.
When they do so, libraries staff ask them about favourite authors and book types so that they can make selections on their behalf. As the visits begin, feedback is given to volunteers who also become part of the recommendation process Books, audio books and jigsaws can also be pre-requested and ordered.
Volunteers from Age Concern Warwickshire visit customers on 19 routes covering many rural areas. As well as delivering the books, volunteers stay for a short while with each of the customers, offering help around the home.
Hilda Ashford of Rowington is one satisfied customer who has been able to continue enjoying her favourite books despite being confined to the house with hip trouble. A fan of murder mysteries, Hilda receives a supply of books each month.
She said: “I look forward to the visits by the volunteers. Staff at the libraries make excellent choices and usually pick out just the kind of books I enjoy and it’s always nice to have a chat with the volunteers when they come round. I can’t speak highly enough of the service.”
Deborah Sly, senior library assistant with Kenilworth Community Services, said: “We are thrilled that so many people are enjoying the benefits of this service. We appreciate the difference this makes to the quality of life of the customers.
“We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of our partners, Age Concern Warwickshire, without whose volunteers this scheme couldn’t operate. They don’t just drop off the books but spend time with the customers. Some housebound people in rural areas do not have much contact with other people and these visits are a chance to check that everything is okay.”
The service was established in 1992 and is Age Concern Warwickshire’s oldest service. 44 volunteers are now part of the scheme.
The Rural Areas Housebound Service will deliver books anywhere in the county. To be eligible for this service you may qualify if you do not you’re your own transport, do not have relatives or friends who can regularly exchange books for you or are a full time carer and are unable to access local library services.
If you or anyone you know would like books, audio books or jigsaws delivered, call Deborah Sly on 01926 851031 or Age Concern Warwickshire on 01926 458100.
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Media contact: Richard Harkin 01926 414162
Picture shows Mrs Hilda Ashford of Rowington with volunteers Frances Wilmot and Susan Bell of Age Concern Warwickshire