Pathfinder West
Pathfinder West is the single point of access for Cheshire West and Chester
Adult Health Early Intervention services.
Pathfinder is a social-prescribing service supplied by Cheshire Community Action and funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC).
Pathfinder takes enquiries from members of the public and handles referrals from social workers and health professionals. The Pathfinder role is to find and connect people with activities to reduce isolation and increase wellbeing. Pathfinder can also assist in looking for paid for services to enable individuals to remain independent and to stay in their own homes. These services can be anything from providing information for domestic cleaners, to finding a local garden service.
For more information or a referral for any of the services listed below, please contact the Pathfinder team on pathfinder@cheshireaction.org.uk or call 07799 519438.
Pathfinder can refer individuals to the below services:-
Specialist support and activities
- Mental health services
- Supported employment
- Learning disability and autism services
- Sensory impairment support
Reablement
- Supported hospital discharge
The Pathfinder Team will also always do their best to find and make direct referrals to other relevant and specialist support services and groups where necessary, such as a local arts and crafts group or a chess club, for instance. In addition, they can signpost people to a variety of approved paid for services, such as cleaning, gardening and home maintenance services.
Professionals, service users and carers can call a single number to find out about local services making it easier for those that need it to find help.
LEARNING DISABILITY AND AUTISM
There are a number of services specialising in offering support for adults with learning disabilities, including Autism, Asperger Syndrome and other learning disabilities. These services range from one-to-one support to providing groups and sessions
For more information or a referral for any of the services listed below, please contact the Pathfinder team on pathfinder@cheshireaction.org.uk or call 07799 519 438
SEE Communications CIC
SEE Communications CIC is delivering a service – The Peoples’ Choice Group Project – which aims to reduce social isolation, raise self-esteem, increase confidence and improve social interaction amongst adults with learning disabilities and associated mental health conditions. The Peoples’ Choice Group Project supports people with learning disabilities/difficulties and autistic spectrum conditions to meet and make new friends; speak up about things that matter to them in their local communities; and gain confidence and skills, through working and social sessions.
People’s Choice Working Group – fortnightly meetings Wednesday afternoons Northwich Crafty Chatters Craft/Colouring Packs – posted fortnightly
Contact: Northwich Group Email: jackie.peopleschoicegroup@gmail.com
Phone: 07596 322 854
Chester Group Email: ali.peopleschoicegroup@gmail.com
Phone: 07746 422 282
Crossroads Together
Crossroads Together provides social skills groups for adults with Autism to enable them to improve their social skills and meet others with similar difficulties and strengths.
They hold fortnightly groups, alternating between a structured session led by a speech and language therapist and social groups offering activities that enable newfound skills to be put into practice. For example, activities that involve turn taking, making choices and decisions, interacting with other people and following rules.
All sessions online but with the opportunity for face-to-face contact, they hold a “coffee and catch up” session every six weeks, in which the attendees meet face-to-face in a local café for a drink and a chat. To cater to everyone, they alternate the location of this meetup so that all 3 areas Ellesmere Port, Northwich and Chester are covered. However, attendees from any area are able to attend any of these sessions, as long as they can arrange transport for locations further from them. Contact: Telephone 0333 323 1990
Website link to Autism : Social Skills for Autism | Crossroads Together
DIAL West Cheshire
DIAL West Cheshire provide an in-house supported volunteer programme aimed at users with a learning disability. Telephone : 01244 345655
SENSORY IMPAIRMENT
Those affected by visual and/or hearing impairment can access the following local services, provided by Vision Support and Deafness Support Network, which specialise in the respective disabilities – offering a range of support including advice about equipment.
Visual Impairment
Vision Support
Vision Support provides a community service to people with sight loss, to reduce isolation and support individuals to remain in their own homes. The service includes:
Delivery of and information on specialist equipment (lighting, talking watches and clocks, kitchen equipment to name a few) through the Home Visiting Service; Assisting with sorting/reading mail and making appointments and signposting to other relevant organisations. Introduction and referral to peer group support, including ‘Living with Sight Loss’; Support with Digital Skills (mobile phones, tablets, text to speech software/keyboard skills); Mobile Information Service visiting a variety of locations throughout Cheshire West (please call head office for schedule) Vision Support’s drop-in centre, Bluecoat Vision Centre, in Chester is available, currently by appointment to view equipment. Vision Support contact number 01244 381515.
Hearing Impairment
Deafness Support Network
Deafness Support Network provides an enhanced support worker and technical equipment service, providing sensory support workers to work with D/deaf and D/deafblind adults in Cheshire West and Chester. Deafness Support Network deliver bespoke support designed to meet the needs of each individual, identifying appropriate intervention, provide advice on technical equipment, and work with individuals on a one-to-one basis to determine the most appropriate equipment for the individual’s needs at home and in social situations. Telephone: 0333 220 5050
MENTAL HEALTH
Chapter and Mid-Cheshire MIND deliver mental health services to help improve mental wellbeing, reduce social isolation and increase social interaction. This is delivered through one-to-one support and social groups, including drop-in facilities.
Mid-Cheshire Mind
Mid-Cheshire Mind offers information, advice and support to people with mental health concerns, their friends, families and carers. They also offer activities, trips and days out to those accessing their services. It’s drop-in centre, based in Winsford is open for individuals to drop in. Contact: Tel 01606 863305 email hello@midcheshiremind.org.uk
Making Space
Making Space provides a mental health support service for adults living with mental ill health who require additional support in order to achieve their personal goals. The charity provide support on a one-to-one basis with one of their key members of staff who tailor their assistance to meet the needs of the individual. Contact: Telephone 01606 606694
Chapter – Ellesmere Port
Working across Cheshire West to provide in-home support for people who are affected by mental ill health (including social isolation). Using a coaching approach over a minimum of six weeks to build skills to manage their mental health, build confidence and access support in the community https://chaptermentalhealth.org/referrals/
SUPPORTED HOSPITAL DISCHARGE
Snow Angels CIC
Offers Hospital Discharge Services.
Snow Angels provide a service to support patients at home and can offer support for up to 4 weeks support following discharge from hospital. Patients must be over 65 years old and live in the Cheshire West and Chester area.
Further information 0300 666 6226 or www.healthylivingconsortium.net for an online referral.