Housebound services for rural residents
Nearly 40 of the borough’s rural living residents are taking advantage of a partnership which ensures that older, housebound people in Rugby’s rural areas can enjoy the pleasures of a library.
The rural housebound service is a partnership between Warwickshire County Council’s libraries service and Age Concern Warwickshire to take books and audio books to homes around the more isolated, rural pockets of Rugby 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.
Eight volunteers from Age Concern Warwickshire visit customers on four routes covering many rural areas including Rugby town, Stretton on Dunsmore, Clifton on Dunsmore, Thurlaston, Ryton, Brinklow, Wolston, Wolvey, Southam and Marton.
As well as delivering the books, volunteers stay for a short while with each of the customers, offering help around the home.
Deborah Sly, senior library assistant with Warwickshire County Council, 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.