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1985 - 1990	1990 - 1995
1995 - 2000	2000 - now

 

1985 – 1990

 1985

• 22^ndMarch, Bournemouth Helping Services Council convenes a forum to look into the needs of older people in Bournemouth. Help and Care is formed
• Mark Sharman starts work on 18^th November with a budget of 97p

1986

• The start of the ongoing development of neighbourhood groups in Bournemouth
• Dorset Social Services agree a one-off grant of £325

1987

• The “Way In” forum of older people and local workers look at the need for Information for Older People
• Charity Auction held in partnership with Age Concern
• Mark Sharman starts working full time

1988

• Launch of “the Van” mobile welfare benefits advice services run by volunteers
• Forum of older people and local workers held to look at issues relating to hospital discharge. Main themes “Bridging the Gap” are lack of information and need for a multi-disciplinary approach
• Evening concert and transport for 150 isolated older people provided by a fleet of social services minibuses.

1989

• Help and Care becomes an independent charity
• 120 people attend “Carers voices and choices” Forum to highlight the needs of carers

 

1990 – 1995

1990

• “Care and Repair” Forum examines the housing needs of older people
• Development worker Mark Sharman becomes the Director of Help and Care

1991

• Charity Projects (Comic Relief) agree two year funding to develop projects which empower older people
• Bournemouth Senior Citizens Forum established

1992

• Funding secured for CArerslink, Care and Repair and the Roots project
• Help and Care buy a computer!
• 90 young people from five local schools meet with older people at a one-day “Age to Age” seminar

1993

• The first H&C Annual Event is held at the Pavilion Ballroom.
• The idea of moving into the Pokesdown centre is first mooted
• Development of a vision for a Carers Sitting Service following a meeting of the carers forum

1994

• Help and Care moves into the Pokesdown Centre

 

1995 – 2000

1995

• Handihelp Club (now called Handiworks) launched
• Carerlsink extended to the whole of Dorset
• £158,000 received from National Lottery Charities Board for the refurbishment of the Pokesdown Centre

1996

• Advocacy Service Launched
• Ther new Charitable Company “Help and Care” is formed
• Help and Care purchases the Pokesdown Centre
• Campaign launched to highlight loneliness and isolation

1997

• Health and Living Conditions, a Department of Health pilot project examines links between health and housing
• Annual event “ON the Road” involves three events in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset
• Help and Care visits Romania to establish links with older people’ organisations

1998

• Paul Boateng, Under Secretary of State for Health opens the refurbished Pokesdown Centre
• First H&C Event at the BIC attracts 1200 older people

1999

• Launch of service to support carers through Primary Care
• Rank Foundation agree 3-year funding of H&C
• Launch of Advocacy Service across Dorset
• Appointment of a GP-based Advocacy Worker in Poole

 

2000 – now

2000

• Launch of Connect the one-stop information service for older people
• Help and Care report “ A Different Sort of Organisation” is published

2001

• Help and Care is commissioned to run Care Direct

2002

• Volunteer Support Service is launched
• The “Clearing the Hurdles” research project by older people is published
• Help and Care turnover tops £1million for the first time

2003

• Director Mark Sharma receives OBE and Honorary Doctorate from Bournemouth University
• Hospital Screening Service launched at Royal Bournemouth Hospital
• Help and Care awarded PPI contracts across Dorset and parts of Hampshire

2004

• The Older People’s Programme moves to Help and Care
• Distress and Wellbeing project launched – a national pilot supporting older people with depression and anxiety
• Help and Care’s Gateway is Launched

2005

• Help and Care Awarded PPI Contracts for the Isle of Wight
• Hospital Screening Service at West Dorset General Hospital is launched

2006

• “Gay and Grey” research project is published
• Help and Care develops its new logo
• Help and Care begins to explore Health Provider possibilities

2007

• Hospital Screening Service is featured in the Guardian
• Hospital Screening Service on the Isle of Wight is launched
• Help and Care becomes a Carers Centre