What we are doing now

Achievements to date include:

• A number of initiatives have been pursued to promote healthy lifestyles including a 3x30mins campaign to encourage people to exercise regularly, the provision of an outdoor green gym and fitness trail in Poole Park and a targeted, multi-media, stop smoking campaign supported by all local health stakeholders.
  
  
• Voluntary sector and public sector organisations have been brought together in a Poverty Sub Group to map the provision of advice and support for people regarding benefits, finance, debt etc as a first step in tackling poverty and supporting people during the economic downturn.
  
  
• Poole Housing Partnership is pursuing a Financial Inclusion Project, which is supporting people who are without access to reliable financial advice, bank accounts or affordable credit. It enables the Coastal Credit Union, Poole Housing Partnership, the CAB and other organisations to engage local people in financial inclusion programmes.
  
  
• A multi-agency group has also been set up to work with older people in Poole old town to tackle health inequalities as well as a Learning Partnership to identify needs and support provision of adult learning across the conurbation.
  
  
• A Multi-agency Carers' Strategy has been developed and the number of carers receiving needs assessments or reviews, advice and information has increased.
  
  
• A decrease in the number of emergency bed days reflecting the proactive care of patients and continuing work with partners to avoid admissions and ensure individuals spend only the appropriate amount of time in a hospital setting.
  
  
• An increase in the number of vulnerable people achieving independent living and in those supported to maintain independent living.
  
  
• An increase in the number of completed cases of people aged 16 or over who have successfully completed interventions using the Cognitive Behavioural Approach.
  
  
• The prevention of homelessness initiatives has expanded and over 700 households were prevented from becoming homeless in 2008/09.
  
  
• Initiated a pilot assertive outreach project for rough sleepers and jointly commissioning a two year project to begin in November 2009.
  
  
• Achieved a 50% reduction in homeless households in temporary accommodation a year ahead of the government target.