Support groups

We're always looking to involve our service users in shaping the services and support we offer them. One of the ways you can do this is by joining one of the groups below.

Getting involved gives you a chance to tell us about the kind of support that you need, as well as helping us to improve our services to meet those needs.

You can find out what each of the groups does and who to contact if you want to get involved using the tabs below.

Autism Reference Group

This forum gives service users the opportunity to influence the delivery of services for Autism.

The group's involved in things like the Self Assessment Framework, the new Library Sanctuary Space, as well as looking at how accessible various websites are when searching for Autism services.

Group meetings: bi-monthly at the Town Hall

Call: (01226) 773447 for more information, or if you're interested in becoming a member.

Carers and Friends Forum

This forum gives service users the opportunity to influence the delivery of services for carers. 

Group meetings: bi-monthly, currently at Barnsley Beacon, but the venue will change after June 2017.

Call: (01226) 773447 for more information, or if you're interested in becoming a member.

Mental Health Forum

We're currently setting up a forum for people living with a mental health condition, to give them a chance to influence the delivery of services for mental health

Call: (01226 773447) for more information, or if you're interested in becoming a member.

My Barnsley Too

My Barnsley Too is a forum for disabled people and their families, friends, and supporters that looks at ways to improve services for them.

Call: Barnsley Advocacy on 0300 012 0412

Older People's Forum

This forum gives service users a chance to influence the delivery of services for older people. They're currently looking at various topics, including social isolation.

Group meetings: bi-monthly at the Town Hall

Call: (01226) 773447 or 775838 for more information, or if you're interested in becoming a member.

Substance Misuse Forum

We're also setting up a forum for people engaging, or who've previously been engaged, in substance misuse services in Barnsley.

Call: (01226) 773447 for more information, or if you're interested in becoming a member.

Wednesday's Voice

Wednesday's Voice holds a 'meet and eat' group for people with learning disabilities, where you can go along to make friends.

Group meetings: every Wednesday, 10am to 1pm in the Community Room at King Street Flats, Waltham Street, Barnsley S70 1JU

Call: Barnsley Advocacy on 0300 012 0412

Visual Impairment Accessible Environment Group

Email the Rehabilitation Officer: stevewilliams@barnsley.gov.uk
Equipment, Adaptations and Sensory Impairment Services

Your Voice

Your Voice Barnsley is a network for anyone in Barnsley who'd like to have their say, or get involved in making a difference to the way our health and social care services are planned and delivered.

Getting involved is easy - just get in touch if you want to know more about joining one of the above groups, or if you want information by newsletter or email:

Call: (01226) 773447
Email: lovewhereyoulive@barnsley.gov.uk
Facebook: Your Voice Barnsley

 

Loneliness and social isolation – how we can all help reduce the impact

Loneliness and social isolation can affect anyone. If people are socially isolated due to poor health, disability, bereavement, retirement or lack of transport, it can have a negative impact on their well-being. This leaves them at a greater risk of abuse, scams and bogus callers.

Not everyone who's alone is lonely; some people may choose to be alone and enjoy this. We all have a responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe in the community; the tips below show how we can all help support this.

Say hello with a smile

We all like to be acknowledged, and small gestures often mean the world.

Say ‘I’m here’ with something delicious

Next time you make dinner and have a spare portion, why not pop it round and gift it to a neighbour or relative?

Ask if you can help

Ask someone if they would like anything picking up whilst you're at the supermarket or shops.

Offer a lift

Many people have had to give up their personal transport due to ill-health or old-age, and this can be a key contributing factor towards their social isolation.

Introduce the internet and get connected

Technology such as mobile phones and the internet can be confusing to older people at first, but with the right instruction and the right type of device they can have a very positive impact on loneliness. Our digital champions run free sessions that to help people get online.

Know how to get help

Make sure people who live on their own have access to all the phone numbers they may need in an emergency or if they require help or support.

Check on others

Some people are at risk from being housebound or isolated in the winter months, either due to the weather or illness, so it’s especially important that we take a moment to check-in on them.

See if you can learn a lesson

Sometimes because a person is elderly, in poor health or housebound, we forget that they have a wealth of life experience under their belts which we could learn from.

Become a volunteer or befriender

One hour per week could make a real difference. For more information on how you could become a volunteer or befriender visit Barnsley CVS.

 

We can all contribute and help keep people safe by being the eyes and ears in our communities and watching out for each other. For more services that can help to keep people well, safe and connected visit the Live Well Barnsley directory.

Preventing and responding to financial scams

Sadly, not everyone is trustworthy and some people may try and take advantage of others. 

Learn more about the various different scams and how to stay safe online.

Speak up on abuse

As part of Safeguarding Awareness week 2020, the NHS Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) produced the following video about adult abuse. You could be the only one who knows about it, so don't keep your concerns to yourself.


Useful links

Leaflets and resources

Choosing a care home

  • Age UK has some really helpful information to help you find the right care home for you.
  • The Care Quality Commission inspects and regulates care homes and has information on its website to help you make decisions about care.
  • Barnsley Adult Social Care has lots of information on getting help to live at home, choosing and paying for a care home and more.

Dementia

What to do if you're worried about an adult

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