Aberdeen charity launches VSA Connect home care service

A new home care service called VSA Connect has been set up by a charity in Aberdeen to assist adults of all ages across the city who need support in their own homes.

People living with a learning disability, mental health conditions, dementia, Parkinson's or other health-related conditions will be helped by the charity who will also offer much-needed respite for unpaid carers.

Aberdeen’s VSA charity helps people in the north east of Scotland, was established to assist the poor in 1870, as the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor, which led to Queen Victoria becoming its Patron.

The charity says it will support people by giving ‘vital practical, emotional, social, and mental wellbeing support’ for people living at home.

'We identified a gap in provision to support unpaid carers'

VSA has said it saw the need for a new support service at home that can be self-funded or funded through self-directed support.

Dr. Kenneth Simpson, chief executive at VSA, said: “After speaking with people who need and use our services we identified that there was a gap in provision to support unpaid carers at home, which is why we have launched this new service to help bridge that gap; but also to support people of all ages and needs across Aberdeen who need a little bit of extra help at home or some much-needed respite time."

The charity, which had to close its Airyhall Carers Respite Service earlier this year due to funding being cut, looked at the demand for delivering a new home-based service, which led to the new VSA Connect service.

The charity's VSA Connect service helps people at home with tasks including personal care such as washing and dressing, help with medication, assistance with household tasks and also offers trips out and companionship.

Kelly Pickavance, manager of VSA Connect, said: "Whether you or your loved one is aged 25 or 95, our VSA Connect service is here for you to help assist you at home.

“We have a team of highly-trained support staff that will work with you to create a bespoke plan to fit your needs and lifestyle.

"If you are unsure about self-directed support and need any advice, our team would be delighted to have a conversation with you and let you know what options are available and how we could help you."

Dr. Simpson added: "Over the course of our 150 year history, we have continually evolved our services to help support the needs of vulnerable children and adults across Aberdeen. The new service will provide people across Aberdeen with the support they need to help lead happy, healthy, and meaningful lives."