Community Compass

What is GVA’s new Community Compass service?

During COVID-19, GVA’s new Community Compass listening and signposting service is operating via telephone.  Local people can have a free, confidential telephone consultation for up to 40 minutes, with a trained/experienced Community Compass volunteer.  The volunteer listens, allowing the individual time to talk openly and honestly.  Then they help to identify the information needed and to contact the appropriate voluntary and community support services that remain available during COVID-19.

Individuals can self-refer via the simple, secure online referral form on GVA’s homepage or via telephone (Community Compass office: 02392 604683, or alternatively text/call GVA/Age Concern Gosport’s triage: 07951 069722, 9am-2pm Mon-Fri with out of hours voicemail).

GVA’s Community Compass friendly volunteers can help with social, health and welfare issues that are compounded during COVID-19 such as:

• Social isolation
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Unemployment
• Coping with long-term conditions such as Dementia, Arthritis or COPD
• Family issues
• Debt or housing issues
• Food poverty
• Accessing welfare benefits and entitlement to statutory allowances

If you or someone you know who lives in Gosport needs someone to listen and assist during COVID-19, GVA’s Community Compass team are here to help.

Background

GVA’s successful Surgery Signposting Project was developed with the Fareham & Gosport Clinical Commissioning Group as part of Gosport’s ground-breaking ‘Better Local Care’ partnership initiative, latterly supported by Hampshire County Council and Gosport Borough Council.  Sadly, after over 5 years of developing volunteer expertise and systems to save GP/clinical time and support hundreds of local people (many in desperate need of social and well-being support), the funding for this innovative Social Prescribing project came to an end on Friday 27 November 2020, when this unique volunteer delivered local project closed.

However, to meet the needs of Gosport’s vulnerable and increasingly socially isolated adults (many with a range of mental health related issues including anxiety, depression, bereavement and isolation) during the COVID-19 pandemic, GVA launched Community Compass.  Similar to Surgery Signposting, this is a free community listening and support service available to assist all Gosport residents in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The way community support is currently provided has changed, but local services are still there, to reduce social anxiety, improve health and well-being, to offer support and training after losing employment, help for those with financial/housing issues, and particularly for those experiencing bereavement during COVID-19.  GVA’s Community Compass and its dedicated team of highly experienced, trained volunteers will help point the community towards greater well-being.