Mamwlad - reaching out to support Powys farmers

Photo by Joseph Reeder

It was November 2020 when we first heard about a brand new project called Mamwlad which had been set up in Powys to support farmers and was run jointly by two local organisations – Care and Repair Powys and Age Cymru Powys. Mamwlad means Homeland or Motherland in English.

At the time client data from both organisations had demonstrated a disproportionately low take up of their services by older farmers. The farming community are naturally independent and reluctant to seek out support, but as their needs change as they grow older their personal needs increase and both social and physical isolation makes matters worse. Jointly CRP and ACP planned to use their experience and knowledge of supporting older people to identify solutions to difficulties, working collaboratively with others in the wider agricultural community, public and voluntary sectors.

The Mamwlad project has worked hard over the last couple of years, despite the challenges of the Covid pandemic in the early days, to reach out to and support the older members of the farming community. Today we hear about a client from south Powys and how the project has supported her. Lesley Price, a caseworker with Care & Repair Powys working on the Mamwlad project, tells us more.

Photo by Helen Davies

Menna lives on a farm near Llanwrtyd Wells, a small market town in south west Powys. She was referred to Care & Repair via Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth after a stay there following a fall in which she unfortunately broke her hip.

The farmhouse where she lives had enough rooms to move her bed downstairs as she is unable to climb stairs (she is is hoping to get back to full fitness with the help of an exercise plan she received from the hospital).

A Health Occupational Therapist had made a referral to Minor Adaptations for a stair rail to be fitted.

One of the Mamwlad caseworkers arranged to visit Menna to carry out a Healthy Homes Check. Menna had a number of concerns about other areas in the house that may cause her problems, particularly as she had lost her confidence since her fall. The caseworker took the time to listen to Menna’s concerns and make suggestions for some further minor adaptations to reduce the risk of falls. The caseworker is a Trusted Assessor for Minor Adaptations and able to make direct referrals for works to be carried out.

During the Healthy Homes Check the Mamwlad caseworker discusses support options with the client, looking at isolation and loneliness that can have an impact on a person’s mental health. It may be appropriate to refer someone to project partners such as Age Cymru Powys for other services such as befriending or to explore benefit entitlement.

We also network with other organisations such as The DPJ Foundation, who specialise in mental health within the farming communities. From our evaluations the impact of introducing minor adaptations to a home on clients’ mental health is positive. They have increased confidence and independence leading to reduced anxiety and worry when they are receiving the support they need.

In this instance the two entrance doors to the house both had small steps, so the caseworker agreed that grab rails would reduce the risk of falls. The caseworker also identified small steps leading into the utility room and the hallway as potential trip hazards and agreed to fit grab rails in these areas.

The caseworker drew up a set of recommendations, which she forwarded to the Care & Repair Minor Adaptations Team. The work was carried out by an in-house Minor Adaptations Officer within 10 working days of the referral.

Menna is extremely pleased with the finished work and tells us that the rails have increased her confidence and independence. She has also had three more grab rails fitted in the bathroom to provide support when showering and using the bath.

Menna has since referred a family member, and a farming friend, to Care & Repair for support and advice on falls prevention and fire safety.

If you know anyone in the farming community who would benefit from similar support, then please get in touch with Care & Repair:

North Powys: Amy Peter, email: amy.peter@crpowys.co.uk

South Powys: Lesley Price, email: lesley.price@crpowys.co.uk

Or telephone the Care & Repair Office at the Newtown base: 01686 620760.

Names have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved.

The Mamwlad Project is funded by the Welsh Government. The two partners are:

Powys Care and Repair works to help keep their clients safe, warm and secure in their own homes. They run a variety of programmes including the Rapid Adaptations Programme for those 50+.

Age Cymru Powys provides essential support to people over 50 and their families in Powys. The organisation works to sustain and improve the quality of life of vulnerable older people in Powys. It believes that older people should be respected and valued as individuals in terms of their dignity, status, personal autonomy, diversity of needs, aspirations and expectations.

Connected Generation project

Connected Generation project staff meet the Community Connectors

Zandra Pitt is the Project Officer for this new lottery-funded project - Connected Generation -  in which five organisations work together with people over 50 in Powys.

I met with her recently to find out more about how Age Cymru Powys, Citizens Advice Powys, Credu, Disability Powys and the Royal Voluntary Service are supporting people to build on their strengths and enjoy a greater sense of wellbeing.

How did your involvement start?

I have worked in a variety of roles over the years, in England and Wales, including women’s aid and homelessness charities, a children’s legal centre and various community advice services. I studied law as an older student.

I was the Advice Manager at Cardiff University Student Advice Service for nearly seven years and saw a major increase in mental health problems whilst I was there.

Where did your interest in the project stem from?

The fact that it involves five partner organisations, each bringing their own scope of what they can offer, attracted me. That, and the person-centred approach of the project, really interests me. The project will raise a lot of the challenges that people over 50 have but also the opportunities that are available to them.

Tell us more about the project and your role

The Connected Generation project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund People & Places programme for three years. Of the five partners, Credu (formerly Powys Carers) is the lead organisation. As Project Manager I am based with Credu, along with two Outreach Workers. Then we have two Outreach Workers with Age Cymru Powys, another two with Disability Powys, one Adviser with Citizens Advice Powys, and the Community Development Worker and assistant with the Royal Voluntary Service.

The project is committed to working with people with the aim(s) that they will:

• Feel more connected to other people and less socially isolated. 
• Feel more able to shape the services that impact on their lives and feel more listened to, valued and respected in their relationships with services that matter to them. 
• Feel that information, advice and support is more coherent and enable them to make informed choices. 

My role involved pulling the project together initially. I look after the reporting and monitoring, and raise awareness working with all the partners,

Which organisations do what?

When people are referred to the project the Outreach Workers from the relevant organisation (Credu, Age Cymru Powys or Disability Powys) will aim to build trust and rapport and have a conversation about what matters to them most over time. The outcome is around what that person wants. The workers may have to pull in others rather than signposting or referring on. We operate an “any door” approach. There is no central hub. Rather than turn people away the individual partners will make internal referrals so that people are not put back on the merry-go-round, constantly trying to find the right route in for support.

If reducing isolation is an outcome, then we would look at who or what that person wants to be connected to appropriately.

The staff have received training in “Circles of Support” and “Effective Collaborative Communication”. It is about listening and having the conversation at what matters to someone at a given time.

The client may want to pursue other interests. For example, Credu runs carers’ groups, whilst Age Cymru Powys holds regular crafts and social groups.

We meet regularly with Clair Powell, the Senior Officer Community Connectors at Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations. The Connectors refer clients in to the partner organisations for support.

Citizens Advice Powys has a caseworker dedicated to the project and can be pulled in by the outreach workers. She provides advice on a range of issues including benefits, debt, and housing.

The volunteer support element is led by the partner, the Royal Voluntary Service, whose community development worker recruits and trains volunteers to become companions.

Connected Generation get together

Who is the project for?

People in Powys who are 50 + who need support. We aim to create long-term self help and support to build personal resilience for the future. If they require more specialist support, say round their mental health, we will pull in another organisation/service.

What kind of difficult life challenges do older people experience in Powys?

There are many examples. Some of the most common include:

• The cared for and the carer. 
• Coping with illnesses. 
• A need for information and advice in order to move forward. 
• Wanting to carry on meeting up with friends once a week when there are rural transport and/or mobility issues. 
• Maintaining own home. 
• Physical and/or mental health issues (including clinical depression/bipolar disorder/dementia). 
• Feeling lonely and isolated. 

How does it support people struggling with their mental health?

We will provide support but may also look at pre-existing networks to refer to other specialist support such as Ponthafren Association or the nearest Mind centre as appropriate.

How does the project make a practical difference?

"Many thanks for your kind help and the information you have provided, really useful. I’m going to call Llanidloes Home Support in my lunchtime and I am working from home tomorrow, so if she could visit then that would be great, I’ll stay in touch."

"Carer phoned outreach worker a few weeks later and expressed his thanks again for all the help, his stepson’s anxiety levels were much lower and this makes his caring role more manageable."

"Just speaking to the outreach worker and getting the information he needed, M felt that he had lifted a big weight from his shoulders."

"By this time they were both overwhelmed that someone had stepped in and offered them information and support – ‘No one’s ever done anything like this for us before'."

"Somehow we have been listened to and heard and helped."

"Thanks for the visit. It is time for me to reassess my work / life / caring balance, so your contact couldn't have come at a better time."

How is the project influencing policy and practice at a national level?

We want to influence local government, the health board, National Government and hear the voices of older people to make changes to policy and improve services. It is about enabling the individual and collective voices to be heard in the right place.

Some of the groups come together with other stakeholders to inform and give evidence to various inquiries and consultations.

We’re aiming to work in a coproductive way. I attend the Older People’s Partnership Board along with Gail Hamer, the Chief Officer at Age Cymru Powys. The project started in January 2018 and we are already reviewing how it goes and learning all the time.

At the same time the five partners are all continuing to feed into their national networks.

What is the most challenging part of your role?

As I am new to the area – getting to know it better, as I’ve not worked in Powys before. Developing essential networks and understanding the scope of the organisations and other services. Ensuring that we keep true to the people centred approach.

Tell us about some of the most rewarding work you have done on the project so far

Meeting an incredible group of committed people. Myself, I’m a step away from working with individuals, but I’m very aware of the work they do in the team. They are very supportive to people who have powerful stories to tell.

When you’re not working how do you enjoy spending your time?

I like art, socialising with family and friends, and walking. I recently completed a three-day course on stained glass, which was really good. 

Many thanks to Zandra for telling us all about this exciting new project. To find out more about the Connected Generation project contact Zandra Pitt by emailing zandra@credu.com or ring 07971 637 447.

Jill Ball - speaking up for older people in Powys

After 4 years working in PAVO’s Powys Befrienders’ team, Jill Ball recently started a new role at Age Cymru Powys as an Independent Advocate. Age Cymru Powys is the largest voluntary sector organisation providing support to people over 60 in Powys, Mid Wales, covering the old shire counties of Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire and Brecknockshire.

The organisation works to sustain and improve the quality of life of vulnerable older people in Powys. It believes that older people should be respected and valued as individuals in terms of their dignity, status, personal autonomy, diversity of needs, aspirations and expectations.

I caught up with Jill at her base in Newtown to find out more.

Tell us about your new role with Age Cymru Powys

My role as an advocate is to take action to help people say what they want to say, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain the services they need. I meet with people daily and listen to the issues that are of concern to them, provide them with information, and discuss with them the options that are available to them. If required I assist them with contacting third parties and written correspondence. As an independent advocate my role is impartial and non-directive. 

What is joyful about the role is that in supporting others to access the services they may need, or by them resolving an issue that has been of great concern to them, they then can continue to enjoy happy and fulfilling lives.

Which areas of Powys do you cover?

My base is at the Age Cymru Powys Centre, Parkers Lane in Newtown. The area I cover is the North of Powys and my colleague Louise Hicks covers the South of the county. I have an advocacy drop-in session every Tuesday 9 - 12.30 at our Newtown Centre. If required I visit clients at home or in a care home, wherever they reside.

How is the new job going so far?

I am enjoying it tremendously; the work is varied and interesting, people consult the advocacy service for many different reasons. They may wish to investigate what other accommodation is available to them now that their own needs have changed, which may be due to bereavement or an escalation of care needs. A client may be unhappy about the care they are in receipt of, and need assistance with knowing who to contact and may need assistance with getting their voice heard. I support clients when there may be conflict in their family, to reinforce their wishes.

Who can be referred to the Age Cymru Powys service and how?

The service is free, independent and confidential and is for people over the age of 60 living in Powys. People can self refer into the service or can be referred into the service by a third party, with their consent. 

North/Mid Powys telephone 01686 623707, email : support@acpowys.org.uk 

South/Mid Powys telephone 01597 825908, email : enquiries@acpowys.org.uk 

If people have been living alone and isolated for a long time what kind of support might they need?

Someone who can listen to what their needs are, and then to provide them with up to date and accurate information on what is available to them. They are then able to make informed choices whether that be in relation to their health, care, finances or social needs. If they need support to access a service, whatever that may be, Age Cymru Powys is able to guide them through this process.

How can the kind of support Age Cymru Powys offers impact on people’s physical and emotional wellbeing?

People are less anxious and more confident because they have the support and knowledge to face whatever problem they may be experiencing. The service is accessible. People say they enjoy the face to face contact and build up a good rapport with staff members. 

Age Cymru Powys also offers a toenail cutting service throughout the county which is a much needed and well supported service. 

The information and advice service provides benefits' information and assistance in completing forms and with financial security comes peace of mind. Age Cymru provides an extensive range of literature on all subjects relating to older people, from adaptations to their home, to power of attorney information. When people are informed they are then able to make decisions about their future which impacts on their wellbeing.

If people don’t receive the support they need, what can happen to them?

People can become socially isolated which can impact on their physical and mental health. Worst case scenarios could be that people become impoverished as they may not access the financial assistance that is available to them, which could affect their tenancy. They may become neglected as their personal care needs are not being met.

Which other organisations do you work closely with, either locally in Powys, or in the rest of the UK, to provide support to people?

Mind Cymru, Community Mental Health Team, Ponthafren, GP practices, other health professionals, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, District Nurses, Speech and Hearing Loss teams, Care Agencies, Abacare, Red Cross, Action for Hearing Loss, RNIB, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations, Credu Connecting Carers, Powys County Council, Department for Work & Pensions, Environmental Health, Disability Powys, Citizens Advice, Kaleidoscope, Alzheimer’s Society, Parkinson’s UK, Age UK, Stroke Association, Care and Repair... a long list!

Tell us what an “age friendly Wales” looks like to you personally

One in which all people feel valued. Communities provide services dictated by those who reside there. Where there are no barriers to services. Where everyone has someone to have a chat with and spend time with and where all individuals are celebrated and cherished.

What are the main challenges of the role?

Very long waiting times on the telephone to get through to some services. The distances one has to travel; less travelling time would enable me to see more people.

Tell us about some of the most rewarding work you have done at Age Cymru Powys so far

I have enabled a very elderly lady to stay in the care home of her choice. Supported a lady with hearing loss to solve her internet problems, so that she can email her family in South Africa and keep in touch with her grandchildren. Helped someone to understand all the care and accommodation options available to them, as they were given notice on their rented property. They are now living independently within a complex that has someone on the premises 24 hours a day and should they require a greater level of support in time this will be available to them.

When you are not working for Age Cymru Powys, how do you enjoy spending your time?

I enjoy spending my time in my garden and greenhouse and with my two little grand-daughters, and whenever possible I love a trip to the seaside, particularly our beautiful Welsh coast.

Many thanks to Jill for updating us about her new role. If you want to find out more about the Age Cymru Powys service you can contact Jill by emailing: jill.ball@agecymru.org.uk or ring 01686 623707.

Oh, and there's a dog...

Sandra Ward, Information and Advice Manager for Age Cymru Powys, talks to us about older people in rural communities and her vision for help and support that could make a real difference.

Tell us about your day job

I have been an adviser for 30 years – that makes me feel very old.

It really is a strange way of earning one’s living, but it can be both rewarding and interesting. I never know what the day will bring – it can range from the sublime to the downright heartbreaking. From advising how to deal with a bee swarm lodged in a chimney, to supporting a lady of 92 coping with losing her lifelong partner and for the first time having to deal with banks, benefits and all the paperwork which follows a death.

I know we all suffer the distress of easing information from, and giving help to, those who are in a ‘bad’ place. But in the midst of these problems are lighter moments. One of my longest days was when I was with the Citizens Advice Bureau. I was helping a young family who were homeless. It was a Friday, especially relevant because one is aware that the problem has to be solved that day – nothing will be open over the weekend. Panic time then! I had spent most of the day finding this young couple somewhere to stay, and this was before the 3 young children came out of school. But at 4pm I was triumphantly standing at the door of the Advice Centre ready to speed them on their way to a booked and funded bed and breakfast. The young father suddenly turned and said; “Oh, and there’s the dog!” (An Alsatian, of course!) I often mutter to myself in times of stress - when I need a giggle - ‘and there’s the dog’!

Powys is a rural county, what does this mean for older people?

As Manager of Age Cymru Powys (formerly Age Concern) I see a great many people with problems which are aggravated by the fact that they live in a rural location. For my clients the additional rural problems are the following: difficulties in accessing help and advice; support services are either stretched by distance or non existent; lack of transport – whether that is limited public transport or simply that due to age and/or disability they have lost the use of their own transport. This of course, affects access to health services especially in Mid Wales where we are often sent to Telford for hospital appointments. All these limitations can cause acute loneliness – something the majority of the people I speak to suffer from. My job in Powys is almost completely different to that of an Information and Advice worker in an urban area where supporting services are near at hand.

Powys (my patch) is the 9th most rural county in the whole of the United Kingdom and the least most populated in Wales. The average population in Wales is 147 people per square kilometre, in Powys it is 26. Also we are ¼ of the area of Wales, so some of my outreach service advisers can travel for 1½ hours just to get to their destination. So you see I really do know about rural poverty.

Is there anything causing real concern to older people in Powys at the moment?

At present we are finding that the Government Welfare Reforms are causing us a great deal of work. Don’t get me wrong, I agree that a fit and able person of working age should be employed. It is only when knowing that one is valued and worthwhile that you gain self respect and self esteem. However, if you are 50+ and have health problems – maybe a stroke or an accident at work; you are actually less likely to be able to work. Possibly the job you trained for and have always done is now physically beyond you, so your whole life has to change. This is fine if you are fit, alert and mentally able to cope with complete change, but if you are depressed and unwell to suddenly find yourself in a minefield of forms and interviews it becomes impossible to find the impetus to navigate onwards. My colleagues and I help them do this and it can be both difficult and very, very sad. People are angry because they can’t work at their chosen trade, depressed because their life has changed for the worse and very frustrated that the Welfare State, far from helping them, seems intent only on making them slot into a ‘fit for work’ category.

I had a client, a gentleman of 64 who had previously worked on the land; he had had a stroke and was quite disabled. However, he was found by the Employment and Support Allowance Team to be fit to do office work. This chap was unable to use one side of his body and was incontinent. I explained the ruling and possible options for him. He sat quietly in my office, then said; “I would rather be dead than sit in an office smelling of urine.” This man had worked constantly for 35 years and had never expected to rely on state benefits. Not the type of unemployed scrounger that some of the politicians and the popular media portray. I am on a few national committees, not because I have the time but because people like that man are unable to verbalise their frustrations – but I try to make their feelings known and understood.

What other challenges do you face in Powys?

The challenges of communication both in reaching those who are vulnerable and for older people to participate in social activities are vast. Public transport is very limited, many of the bus routes are weekly services or limited to one or two buses a day – a large number of villages are not visited at all. We have recently lost even more of these routes. Over ½ Powys households are classified as being in area 8, ranked the worst 10% in Wales for access to services on foot or by bus.

Interestingly we also find that language causes a barrier. We run a bi-lingual service but find that the majority of our work on the Welsh border is requested in English. As we ‘go west’ across the county it becomes more predominately Welsh. Because my main office is in Newtown some people consider our service ‘English’ and hesitate as to whether they would find help there. In fact some of my ‘main language Welsh’ clients are additionally vulnerable because they have scant knowledge of the help they could access.

I have over the last 5 years piloted and run an elder abuse project for Powys County Council. I chose primarily to visit Lunch Clubs because these are the older people who are just coping but needing some support and therefore beginning to be at risk. It involves a positive and upbeat talk; firstly about older people’s rights – such things as ‘You have a right to be wrong!’ So many elderly people keep silent, terrified that if they make a mistake they will be ‘put in a home’. We fight to give them control over their lives, without making the judgement of ‘what is best for them’. We then go on to discuss scams and abuse, in an open and safe environment. Sadly 60% of the 300 people I spoke to had been a victim of scams or abuse. If people are living in isolated rural areas they are far more likely to be at risk of unreported abuse. There is a desperate need for our advice service to reach these isolated and vulnerable people.

How would you like to be able to help older people in Powys more?

I started thinking about the problem from the bottom up, so to speak! I am involved in rural church life and have been for my whole life. As a child our church was the hub of our rural community and many problems were supported therein. Now I believe this supporting network has changed – the age range in our communities is unbalanced. Despite all our best efforts to attract the young, many of our congregations are made up of older people. A few of the more successful churches use their buildings completely and offer crèches, welfare advice and community projects like cafes.

I had this in mind when I thought about my new project. As advice workers we need to be out there helping the lonely and vulnerable but I cannot sanction the expense for my advisers travelling 80 miles for a home visit, even if it is essential. So I thought that if I had a volunteer in each community and a paid adviser in a main office, whether it be Newtown, Llandod or Brecon then the volunteer could listen to the problem and phone for advice. The Bishop of Bangor informed me that the Church in Wales is keen for their buildings to be fully utilised - so churches, and maybe chapels, community centres and schools could be used at set times every week. My plan is that this would form a network of people to be a core community and therefore support their population who were at risk or in need. I’m just at the stage of trying to get funding for this but hopefully it could plug a little hole in the dyke!

What I see at present is that many people living in rural areas are being subjected to increasing stress and anguish as a direct result of decisions made in Westminster and elsewhere. It is necessary that we speak out – without prejudice – to inform those whose upbringing and life style leave them ignorant of the challenges of rural Wales. Reaching those who need help remains my priority and frustrating though it often is, I feel very privileged and honoured to be in a position to attempt this.

If you would like to discuss this idea with Sandra or offer her some support, you can get in touch with her on 01686 623707 or sandra@acpowys.org.uk or leave a comment below.