Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care

Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC) are a voluntary organisation that work closely with statutory agencies in Sheffield to provide a network of support for older people, their carers and families. Most of their work helps older people in their own homes. SCCCC can also support people who are admitted to or discharged from hospital or are living in a residential home.

Their programmes and areas of focus include:

Good Neighbours Scheme

This involves helping older members of the community. SCCCC aim to enhance their quality of life through volunteers who offer the kind of support a ‘Good Neighbour’ might give. The service is provided free of charge with the basic aim of helping to combat loneliness for people over 65 living in Sheffield.

Hospital Aftercare

The Hospital Aftercare Team helps people before they go into hospital, while they are there, and immediately after they leave. Support can often extend to family and friends of the patient.

The scheme operates at the Northern General Hospital, the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and Weston Park Hospital, also providing significant input into community settings – taking referrals from hospital staff, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and discharge teams. Referrals are also taken from community teams, social workers and individuals.

The team provides a wide range of practical help and support free of charge and is able to respond on the day of referral.

A&E to Home

Assistance is available for older people who have had a visit to A&E with a minor injury but are well enough to go home with some support. The service covers the A&E Department at the Northern General Hospital and the Emergency Admission Unit and the Minor Injuries Unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and operates between 9am and 9pm, seven days per week including bank holidays. SCCCC take the patient home and settle them in (checking the heating is on, making a cup of tea etc).

Placement Support Project

SCCCC work in partnership with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support carers, families and patients in choosing a permanent care home for their loved ones. The Placement Support Project takes referrals from the Transfer of Care Placement Team within Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and provides transport, practical assistance and support to hospital patients and carers in viewing residential or nursing care homes.

Temporary Key Safes

SCCCC loan out temporary key-safes to people who need them. These help prevent delayed hospital discharge by providing temporary key access for the carer(s) until a more permanently fixed key-safe can be fitted.

High Seat Chair Loan

SCCCC loan out high seat chairs for a period of 6-8 weeks. These are primarily for patients who have had hip or knee surgery and are there to aid recovery.

See SCCCC’s website for more details

Coronavirus Update 6th August 2020: Due to ongoing physical distancing and public health measures, the support SCCCC offers has had to adapt to the pandemic. Click here for more details about what they are currently able to offer.