Frank

Frank Savvery was supported during lockdown by the ABM Telephone Befriending Service.

This service was a huge support for Frank during such a difficult time; at a period in his life where he felt, lonely and was struggling with past trauma that caused frequent night terrors. Talking to a dedicated befriender helped ease his anxiety.

Frank had accessed local community initiatives and access support through ABM Digital Inclusion Team and agreed to transfer to Older Peoples Wellbeing Support Service in April 2021.

Digital Inclusion has provided Frank with an iPad and support to set up a personal email and online contact with his GP and health services. This has proved invaluable, as now Frank is able to arrange his own prescriptions and delivery of medication.

The surgery had changed the process of ordering a repeat prescription and before he received support from Digital Inclusion, Frank was unable to order his medication over email and was not receiving his medication on time.
During periods of ill health, Frank was unable to walk to the surgery to arrange his prescriptions and unable to collect from the pharmacy. This meant he could not take his prescribed medication and was at risk of seizures.

The Older Peoples Wellbeing Project has introduced Frank to Middlesbrough Environmental City Allotment project at Jellystone Grove Hill in Middlesbrough. He has been busy tending to the land and has planted vegetables that he is hoping to use to prepare nutritious meals when the produce is ready to harvest.

The sessions at Jellystone have facilitated opportunities for Frank to socially connect with other people and also an opportunity for Frank to continue as a volunteer when The Wellbeing Service ends in March 2022.
Frank is now attending other well-being sessions during the week that include Woodside Wellbeing Hub and outings that have been arranged with the service.

Frank has grown in confidence over the months and is less anxious within a larger group setting. He recently sent the following message:

‘Thank you if hadn’t been through you and The Hope Foundation I will probably be the same but use have brought me out of my shell and I thank everyone for doing this’