West Sussex team tackles isolation with afternoon tea

The event, held earlier this month, was the first to be arranged by the southern Prevention Assessment Team (PAT), a group set up by West Sussex County Council to support the well-being of adults and older people in the Worthing, Littlehampton and Shoreham area.

Residents at Pearsons Retreat in Brougham Road, Worthing, gathered at the complex’s community centre to listen to talks on how to help themselves, and each other, and combat loneliness and isolation, over tea and cake.

Yasmin Brown, support co-ordinator for Pearsons Retreat, said: “The event was a great success and all the residents enjoyed themselves.

“We are now looking to get more care agencies involved, to give back the care that the government has taken away through the cuts.”

Peter Catchpole, county council member for adults’ services, said: “The Prevention Assessment Team offers support to people, advising them about how to keep healthy and manage health issues and sign-posting them to agencies that can help them through practical tasks such as shopping, cleaning and gardening.

“Staff from the team also have knowledge of local social groups and activities, as well as transport services available locally.”