JACKIE Robinson from Southampton has recently (May 2022) joined the team at a charity dedicated to easing loneliness in the city as its new Project Development Officer.
She will be breaking new ground in the role by developing and delivering plans and strategies to widen the scope of Communicare’s range of activities and support unpaid carers of those with a diagnosis of dementia.
Annie Clewlow, Manager at Communicare, said: “We are thrilled to have welcomed Jackie to the team, she will be doing some groundbreaking work in developing ways of involving people in our community to design services for the future.
“We have been exploring possible avenues for help for unpaid carers with a diagnosis of dementia and Jackie will be working closely on this. She will be helping us to establish the needs and wishes of Southampton residents who are unpaid carers of people living with dementia, researching other types of support available and aiming to extend the activities we provide to match the desires of the community, if resources allow.
“Jackie’s role is particularly important as we have recently had Dementia Action Week.”
Dementia Action Week was started by the Alzheimer’s Society and encourages people who are worried about dementia to confront their worries by addressing dementia directly and getting information and support.
There are currently 920,000 people with dementia in the UK and the number is set to rise to one million by 2024.
Jackie said: “I am thrilled to have joined the Communicare team on a three-month basis in the role of Project Development Officer.
“I have wanted to work with Communicare for several years. It has complete integrity and does everything possible for the people it supports and its volunteers. My values align with those of the charity, as it has an ethos of inclusion and respect for all. I am delighted to be part of such an amazing team.
“My other duties as part of my new position include researching and developing targeted surveys for everyone who is associated with the charity and our services, including volunteers, service users, families, carers and statutory organisations and other voluntary agencies. I will also be building on and strengthening all of these existing relationships and networks.”
Jackie, who was born in London, but has lived in Southampton since 1983, studied at the University of Sussex for a BA and PGCE in Psychology before studying at the University of Southampton for her MSc and Diploma in Social Work.
In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, birdwatching, walking and supporting charities with various fundraising projects.
Communicare, which is a friendly, neighbourhood charity, provides services that enrich the lives of lonely and isolated people in and around Southampton.
Its services are staffed by its devoted volunteers, known as Communiteers, who give their time freely.
The charity is currently supporting around 570 individuals/families through tasks including one-to-one telephone befriending and transport for essential appointments and assistance with shopping.
The services Communicare provides are free to users, although beneficiaries are invited to make a donation if they are able to, and Communiteers are offered expenses.
To find out more about Communicare, please visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.
