On Friday 8 May local MP, Gordon Prentice, visited the newly opened Pendle offices of  Help Direct at No.1 Market Street in Nelson centre to get a first hand view of this groundbreaking service that is being offered to the people of Pendle.

Pendle Manager, Amber Howorth and East Lancs Service Manager, Karen Lynch, talked Mr Prentice through the ideas behind the new service and about its increasing  uptake across East Lancashire.

Amber Howorth explained that Help Direct is primarily a signposting service that puts people who have support needs in touch with relevant organisations. The team will help individuals to make contact with the organisations and to make the most of the available services, as well as following up the contact later.

Help Direct is supporting not only older people but also for example those who in the past were turned away from Social Services because their needs were classed as low level. The aim is to support vulnerable people and allow them to stay in their own homes and remain independent. This support could be help with shopping and housework, use of a handyman to do maintenance jobs, help with transport or help with contacting other services.

Gordon Prentice said “I am particularly pleased that Lancashire is leading the way in helping people get the most out their individual circumstances and that this service is available to people in Pendle. It will be especially valuable in these difficult economic times.”

Lancashire County Council is establishing the Help Direct service across Lancashire with funding of £9 million over the next three years. The service is the first of its kind in Britain. The increase in demand over the first three months of operation across East Lancashire indicates a significant need for this type of service, with over 900 people being helped during April

For further details ring the Help Direct contact line on 0303-3331010. Calls cost less than 1p, even from a mobile.

The photograph shows (l. to r.) Karen Lynch, Gordon Prentice, Amber Howorth.