Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
Foreword
Over the years Roar – Connections for Life has constantly adapted and evolved to meet increasing
demands by embracing new methods and opportunities to maintain and improve health and
wellbeing for more than 2,000 beneficiaries. During that time we have depended on 460 willing and
selfless volunteers. Our efforts to ensure that volunteering quality has kept pace was this year
recognised with Investing in Volunteering accreditation.
Cost-saving measures and fund raising successes outwith its core grant have enabled Roar–
Connections for Life to build up a healthy surplus that can be applied to new complimentary
services. Among its new ventures this year has been Reels and Spiels film, Come Dine with Me,
Craft Café and Well Invested. Its partnership approach to Falls Prevention will play an important
role in health improvement for older adults and it is now exploring how this may be further
enhanced by social enterprise initiatives.
Essential to Roar – Connection for Life’s success is the strategic alliance with national and local
outcomes that aim to achieve healthier and independent lives. The measured evaluations of
outcomes and impact contained in this report are, once again, evidence of dedicated and
committed teamwork. As a result Roar – Connections for Life continues to play a lead role in the
network of those allied to the health and wellbeing of older adults.
We also acknowledge with thanks, the continued support of Renfrewshire Health and Social Care
Partnership, and the other Third Sector partners, who have contributed to our success.
As my term of office comes to an end, I must also express my appreciation to fellow Board
members for their wise counsel, to our Management Team for their untiring efforts and
commitment, and a wish that my successor receives the same encouragement and support.
John Wilby
Roar - Connections for Life
Chair
Board Member
Mary Hackett
Chair Elect
Board Members from the back row right
Alan Smith, Alan Morris, Douglas Neilson.
Front row from right Janice Shields, Nicola
Hanssen (General Manager),
John Wilby and Maureen Kirkwood.
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
3
Annual Report 2014/15
The range of grant funded services in 2014 2015 includes:
Introduction
1.
Roar Clubs – operation of a network of
health and wellbeing clubs throughout
Renfrewshire providing health and
wellbeing activities as well as a lunch or
refreshments.
2.
One-to-one befriending - for older and
isolated people
3.
Phone befriending - for older isolated
people who for a number of reasons do
not get 1:1
4.
Transport provision - to clubs, events,
delivery of meals
5.
Information and Signposting – helping
people navigate towards the best
opportunities
ROAR was originally established as a Public
Social Partnership Consortium between
Renfrewshire Council for the Voluntary Sector
(RCVS), Alzheimer Scotland, the WRVS and a
range of lunch clubs previously funded by
Renfrewshire Council.
Following a restructure of 3rd sector interfaces
ROAR became a Scottish Charity and
company limited by guarantee with Charity
Registration Number SC042041 - granted
charitable status on 21st January 2011 and
Company Registration Number SC390855 incorporated on 29th December 2010.
In the ensuing years the Consortium
arrangement was disbanded and in 2012
ROAR changed to a direct service provider for
older people in Renfrewshire under a Service
Level Agreement (SLA) with Renfrewshire
Council with joint funding from Renfrewshire
Community Health
Partnership.
Reaching Older Adults In
Renfrewshire (ROAR)
rebranded to Roar –
Connections for Life in 2014.
Roar – Connections for Life
services are aimed primarily at
older adults to prevent
isolation and increase both
physical, mental and social
health and wellbeing. The
services aim to improve a
person’s quality of life,
facilitate independence and their ability to
remain healthy and independent for longer.
The services relate to the Government's
Reshaping Care for Older People's agenda
and the Integration of Adult Health and Social
Care Outcomes
4
Volunteering – particular focus on later life
volunteering opportunities.
Roar – Connections for Life comprises of a
board of directors,
employees and volunteers,
with volunteers playing a
vital role in the
organisation's ability to
deliver services. Roar
has grown significantly since
its inception in 2007,
particularly during the last
five years.
Currently each year over 150
volunteers provide in the
region of 18,000 volunteer
hours to around 550
beneficiaries.
The increasing demand for services combined
with the significant contribution from volunteers
is testament to Roar’s success.
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
Management and Staffing
Staffing Structure 2014-2015
The core structure of Roar has maintained the
posts created in the organisational review
undertaken in 2013. This structure has enabled
the development of the service quality to be
maximised through clear accountability and
objectives of the team towards a shared vision.
The growth of development as a result of
additional external funding has also enabled
the staff numbers to grow to support projects
and other funded opportunities.
We will be seeking to further augment the core
staff resources where additional opportunities
aligned with our vision become available to
enable us to reach out to and engage with
growing numbers of older adults in
Renfrewshire and beyond.
Staff at a Recent Night Out
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
5
Volunteers
It merits restating that volunteers are the
backbone of Roar – Connections for Life and
who make the delivery of all the Roar’s
opportunities possible. In 2014-15 we have
focussed significant efforts both to attract,
recruit and retain our volunteer compliment but
also to develop and evidence the quality of
experience and opportunities we provide to
nurture, support and invest in the people who
volunteer with Roar – Connections for Life
In 2014-15 we focussed on a number of
initiatives to develop volunteering.
Volunteer Recruitment Film and Burns
Themed Recruitment Event
Roar used money donated to the organisation
to commission and launch a volunteer
recruitment film. This was launched in January
2015 and had an immediate and positive
impact on the number of volunteer applications
during the following 3 months. In 2015 – 16 we
will continue to use some of the messages and
clips to continue to promote volunteering with
us.
6
The Volunteer Handbook and
Volunteer Agreement
These resources were
created in consultation with
focus groups of volunteers
and through engaging
volunteers within clubs to
ensure that all people
volunteering with Roar have
all the information about what a volunteering
commitment entails and what support they can
expect to receive from Roar. This clarity of
roles and expectations supports volunteers to
have a safe, positive and rewarding volunteer
experience.
Investing In Volunteering Award
Roar – Connections for Life achieved this
accreditation following a 9 month process of
development
towards all the
standards required
at each element of
the volunteer
process and an
external evaluation
and inspection.
The volunteer
involvement and
feedback they provided to the inspection team
showed that Roar truly is committed to
Investing in Volunteering.
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
Volunteers
You’re well
supported
When asked about how they felt about their
involvement at Roar, volunteer comments
included
I love
it
sed
pres
m
i
eally
m
I’m r
e tea
h
t
h
t
wi
There’s
something about it
that draws you
back
I feel good when
the staff tell me I’m
doing a good job
de
ma w
e
e
I’v
of n
s
t
lo
nds
frie
Volunteer Thank You Event
In 2014 – 15 we have utilised a number of
strategies to ensure that volunteers are
recognised and feel valued.
One of these is the Thank You Event and the
gift of a diary thanking volunteers for their gift
of time
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
7
Demand for Roar –
Connections for Life Services
The trend in rising numbers of referrals and
enquiries has continued throughout 2014-15
however this has geographical variations and
the support people are looking for has not
always been relevant to the services available
in their local area.
An example of this is older men looking for an
opportunity to get out and socialise but the club
in their local area may be mainly attended by
women – which may suit some but not others.
The drop in numbers in March is due to Erskine
Roar Club opting to become an independently
operated group and the majority of the service
users opted to be discharged from Roar in
order to become members of the BEI club.
Demographics
In addition to the rise in demand for Roar
services we are also able to see from the data
that we collect that the largest group of users of
our services are in the 76 – 85 age bracket.
There continues to be a steady rise in the
number of people over 85 and into their 90’s
who benefit from the community opportunities
we deliver.
8
We anticipate that this trend will continue over
the coming year and we are looking at
developing more targeted and focussed
programmes of support that will help and
enable them to continue to live at home for as
long as possible.
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
ROAR Health and Wellbeing
Clubs for Older Adults
In consultation with our funders and local
people, we have reviewed the method and
location of some of the core Roar services.
The review highlighted that the attendance
levels at some clubs in some areas of Paisley
was chronically low and despite a whole range
of initiatives and promotion, the club model just
didn’t appear to be what people wanted in
some areas. Our listening to older people
identified that there was a need for a wider
menu of opportunities to socialise, learn new
skills and feel motivated and empowered. The
Roar club infrastructure in 2014-15 is detailed
as follows.
Growing the Menu of Services
The streamlining of the Club network has
enabled us to redeploy the resources to
expand and develop a broader menu and
volume of services










Additional quality and development of
core Health and Wellbeing Club Network
Continued development of non- lunch
Health and Wellbeing Club
Development of Information and
Signposting Services
Expansion of Befriending offer throughout
Renfrewshire
Enlargement of Phone Befriending
services
Creation of externally funded
opportunities – supported by the core
infrastructure.
Breath of Fresh Air (Reaching Older
Men)
Reels and Spiels (Community Capacity
Building)
Exclusive Health and Wellbeing
Programme ( Frailty/falls Prevention)
Come Dine with Me (Community
Capacity Building)
Health and Wellbeing
We have continued to deliver a health and
wellbeing programme in all our clubs, offering a
wide variety of activities aimed at maximising
wellbeing. The planning and delivery of
activities in Roar – Connections for Life clubs is
based around the 3 core elements of wellbeing:
Mental, Physical and Social. However we are
slowly achieving a shift towards increasing
tolerance in most clubs to some form of
exercises – particularly Qi Gong and OTAGO
based exercises. Some groups are now fully
committed to and expect weekly exercises –
often in addition to another activity whereas we
have been able to work with more resistant
groups to enable them to experience some
exercises as positive whilst maintaining socially
stimulating activities
Roar – Connections for life has also been
leading Falls Prevention in the Community –
Volunteer Action as part of the Community
Capacity Building Work Stream for the
Integration of Adult Health and Social Care.
Roar’s approach has been to work with Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership
through the Falls Prevention Sub Group to fit
with the wider strategy and pathways being
created locality wide. With the Development of
the Positive Steps Package, Roar has taken
these messages and started to tailor them for
groups and individuals who use Roar. We were
supported to show people how to get off the
floor after a fall and provide tips on balance.
This information has been extremely well
received.
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
9
ROAR Health and Wellbeing
Clubs for Older Adults
We have also continues with a varied and fun
programme – where laugher and involvement
are the main ingredients. Highlights in the
programme include the Roar Commonwealth
Games, music and dance in many forms,
seasonally themed events and indoor curling.
In 2015-16 we will look to maintain the
momentum towards ensuring that opportunities
for physical wellbeing – particularly related to
falls prevention, is available to all Roar users.
An annual outing and Christmas parties have
also now become an important part of the
ROAR calendar. Celebrating with people you
have built up relationships with is a very
meaningful activity and can easily be
underestimated.
These events are supported by all the staff and
this gives everyone a chance to mix and make
connections. The feedback is resoundingly
positive and the photos only go some way to
capturing the buzz and laughter that is
generated.
10
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
ROAR Health and Wellbeing
Clubs for Older Adults
We continue to work with and receive support
from Glasgow Caledonian University’s Healthy
Ageing Research Group who continue to
deliver a programme of individualised
improvement plans and retesting for older
adults who are offered the Exclusive Health
and Wellbeing Groups.
We utilised the promotion of this work through
the development of our Stakeholder Film which
cites that the body of evidence continues to
grow that although aging is inevitable – even
small changes to lifestyle can have a very
positive effect on retaining physical functioning.
Reducing the amount and duration of sitting
and taking part in some strengthening and
balancing exercises can reduce decline in key
areas such as
In 2015-2016 we plan to send 2 members of
staff and a 1 volunteer on accredited OTAGO
training which will allow the sustainable
expansion of Frailty and Falls prevention
sessions in all clubs. We will expand on the
opportunities for people to understand the risks
of sedentary behaviour and will work to design
additional sessions for people who may be at
increased risk.
As part of this development we hope to
contribute to making an impact on falls
prevention.
Aerobic endurance
Strength/Power
Flexibility
Bone density
Balance and coordination
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
11
12
Befriending
Phone Befriending
The Roar – Connections for Life Befriending
Service continues to be very much in demand.
The majority of referrals come from
practitioners or are signposted to us by GP’s.
In order to address the volume of referrals we
have , in partnership with funders, redeployed
some resource from the core Roar budget into
expanding the service. We have also invested
in a sustained and successful campaign to
recruit more volunteer befrienders. The skills
within the team to assess, communicate with
and successfully match isolated older people
with suitable/ compatible befrienders’ has
resulted in extremely high success rates in
people being matched and supported to
maintain this relationship. This has resulted in
positive outcomes for both befriender and
befriendee.
During 2014-2015 we have trebled the volume
of weekly calls to people who are frail,
vulnerable and/or isolated and who, for a range
of reasons, do not receive a 1:1 service to their
home. This development has been possible
because of the shift in prioritising resources
within the core budget and through the
recruitment of capable and committed
volunteers and staff who undertake the calls.
In 2015-2016 we aim to undertake the Quality
in Befriending Accreditation, which we hope will
stand as evidence of the quality, safety and
value of the service we deliver and enable us
to attract additional funding to broaden/ expand
the number of people benefiting from the
companionship. We hope to gain this
accreditation by November 2015
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
Outcomes and Impact
The 360 multiple perspective feedback has been collated about and around 8 Roar – Connections
for Life users
Service User
She Is
a person
who has
always been
very busy and
involved in her
local community.
She has attended
the club since it opened
and is very supportive
of everything Roar offers.
Recently she played a selection
of piano tunes for the group. She
had not played the piano for several
years but practised and then performed
for the group, she felt very nervous
before hand but felt a huge sense of
achievement after playing.
Club Co-ordinator
I believe Roar
was the lifeline we so
desperately needed as a family
at a very difficult time. It not only
helped my dad but also us as a family
too. Now, as my dad is housebound
he uses the Befriending service. I tell
everyone about Roar. Keep up the
fantastic work.
Daughter
My mum
became a member of
Roar shortly after being
widowed. I feel that joining the club
(although she is active in other
pursuits) has greatly enhanced my
mum’s life through the various activities
she has participated in and the new
people she has met. My mum has also
been very active in raising funds for
Roar and I hope that it
will continue to grow and
welcome new
I think the club is wonderful.
members.
Volunteers are excellent—
hardworking and very
caring. Happy to be involved
in fundraising for club funds at
Daughter
Ralston Community Games by
running the tombola stall. The
club is an important part of
Ralston community and
valued greatly by the
members.
Service User
This service has made me
understand that people like
Roar can make people like
myself feel we are not alone.
He
is a
great guy
and tells me
all about his
journey in life. The age
difference does not
make a difference. It
has been very rewarding to have
made a new friend and to watch
his confidence return as he
gets more mobile again.
I would recommend
Roar to anyone
wanting to
become a
befriender.
Volunteer
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
13
Outcomes and Impact
Service User
My mother
attends the Roar Club
and It has become the
highlight of her week, allowing her to
socialise with others of her age group
within the community. She really
enjoys all of the varied activities on
offer and feels the health benefits of
the keep-fit class. She also
appreciates the tremendous
contribution of all
the volunteers.
Daughter
I look forward to a Friday very
much. Great to have exercise
with Janie, enjoy lunch and
chatting with friends. Trips are
very well organised and
interesting. Appreciate hard
work of staff and volunteers –
happy place to be part of.
She
Is a
quiet
lady who
attends the
club every week.
She has made
new friends who she
socialises without
with the club. She enjoys
the gentle exercise
before lunch and is very
keen on and aware of the
benefits of exercise in older
age .
Club Co-ordinator
I
visited
this
lady
over two
years ago
for the
befriending
service and after
the assessment was
keen to match her. The
lady had no close family
and health issues but
remained very positive and
determined. She takes an
interest in people and all that is
going on around her. I found a
very good match for her that is still
going strong today.
Befriending Co-ordinator
14
Service User
I would like to thank Roar for sending
me my volunteer, my Tuesday visitor. I
always look forward to her visiting day.
She is so kind and considerate, helpful
and most of all caring and does
anything I want done. She takes me
out in her car if I feel like it. As far as I
am concerned she is “An Angel”. I am
happy to be a member of Roar.
I
thoroughly
enjoy my time
doing befriending
and look forward to
it every week. It is a
great feeling knowing the
visits has a good positive
effect for both the
person I visit
and myself.
Volunteer
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
Outcomes and Impact
This
lady
has made
lots of
friends
and has grown
in confidence
since coming
along to the clubs.
She enjoys the
activities and
participates well.
She has definitely blossomed
since her first day at Roar.
The
services
that Roar provide
are of a brilliant standard,
staff and service users are
very friendly towards each
other, one big happy
family.
It makes a big difference as I
don’t feel so alone with the
company and I look forward to
Mondays and Tuesdays. It
makes a great difference
having events to attend.
Volunteer
Service User
Club Co-ordinator
One
of the
few men
attending. He
mixes very well
with everyone and
takes part in
everything.
On a recent trip he took
lots of pictures which
he has put into an album and
offered to print copies for
anyone wanting them.
Very
good service,
much enjoyed by my
husband, and he looks
forward to attending. Gives me
a little respite time with our
granddaughter. He enjoys the
exercise groups and it gives
him a break from the
house too.
Wife
Service User
Unable to provide
feedback
The
club
has
been
very
beneficial
for her. She
is a lovely
person who
enjoys a
good chat and
thanks to Roar
she has found a nice
group of people she can
share her experience with.
She regularly attends
Reels and Spiels and she
has built very meaningful
relationships with the rest
of the members which
improved her self-confidence
and wellbeing.
Project Worker
Roar’s services gives good value
for money and the staff deserve
the support of the Council. The
change you make to the lives of
those who live alone is
remarkable. Our thanks must go to
providers of tea and coffee -always
welcome and served with a smile.
Club Co-ordinator
A service
for the elderly run
efficiently and professionally
by a wonderful staff. It
has made such a difference to
my mum who looks forward to
every Tuesday as I do
(daughter attends Reels and
Spiels too) for the conversation
and lovely company.
Quizzes are fun and
interesting.
Daughter
Service User
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
15
Outcomes and Impact
It
appears
that Mrs B
really enjoys
the social
contact as her
mood seems to
pick up once
she get chatting to
people.
Club Co-ordinator
Service User
My mother uses
the lunch club. She has
been going to this club for 3 years.
At first, not too keen, but then
realised that it was very friendly and
welcoming. She gets a good lunch,
entertainment, pick up and drop off
service. She enjoys the “chat” with
other members. All in all, it is a really
good service and is not too
expensive. The “driver” who picks
I go to the lunch club on a
her up is also very good.
Wednesday. I enjoy the meals
Worthwhile service in this
and the company. I also enjoy
community. Keep it
the people who come to
going.
entertain us, it gets you out and
everyone is so friendly to us.
Daughter
Roar do wonderful work.
Quotes from Service Users
“I did not go out the house until I was introduced to your lunch club which has made a big difference
to me. The staff are all really kind to me and give me lots of help”.
“I think Roar is an excellent service. Lovely for people to meet up every week and make new friends
and enjoy all the marvellous entertainment. Everyone is so nice including those in charge.”
“It gives us a chance to meet other people whom we would not normally meet.”
“ I think Roar is a wonderful service especially for older people living on their own who very seldom
go out. Meeting other people making friends and having a nice lunch and a good blether!! I look
forward to Wednesday.”
“Since I have joined Roar I have made many more friends, have enjoyed various activities and
learned how to cook and how food can improve my health and fitness. As I care for my wife 24/7 I
really look forward to meeting lots of friendly people and being looked after by courteous and
friendly staff and volunteers.”
Quotes from Volunteers
“ It gives me the opportunity to do something worthwhile in my retirement and has allowed me to
make a real friend with the person I befriend. The meetings have enabled me to widen my knowledge
of the needs of older people and of the avenues of help available. The staff have been so helpful,
friendly and knowledgeable .”
“Roar brightens up the day for the members and the staff are so helpful”.
Quotes from Next of Kin
“Roar has proved to be a wonderful help to my husband after he received a very bad brain injury. The
weekly meeting has helped to get him back into society and connected with people again. It has also
helped me, giving me some valuable time to myself.”
16
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
Outcomes and Impact
Quotes from Befriendees
“I am very very thankful for my befriender she is one of the best visitors I have had
in all my days—she is a wonderful friend. I can’t put into words, it means I am
happy ever time I see her. When I see her I know she is my friend”
“I think Roar is brilliant and I enjoy the visits.
“My friend takes me out and I am very grateful to Roar. I have something to look
forward to.”
“It is nice having a visitor with her baby and watching the baby grow up, she is so
lovely. So is the mother, it has made a big difference to me otherwise I would have
no company.”
“ I think it is a brilliant service, I so look forward to him coming it is great”
“I think that Roar are doing a fab thing for people like myself, connecting people
with other people and making a difference in people’s life.”
“My befriender comes for a couple of hours we have lunch and a good blether, I
enjoy her company and look forward to her coming.”
“It makes a great difference to me, I could not do without my befriender. I would
recommend the service to anyone in my position.”
“I get company and this keeps me in touch with things. I really feel I have someone I
can talk to.”
Quote from Practitioner
“I have made referrals to Roar for a number of my older clients and found the
overall feedback from family and the individuals themselves has been very
positive. I have always had a good experience when communicating with the
staff. Families and individuals have always been appreciative of the service
offered. “
Quote from Funder
“It was a very enjoyable visit but I was also inspired by the discussion we had with
you. We are all thinking along the same lines and it is great to see how you are
operationalising it, which is the far more difficult bit.”
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
17
Balance Sheet
18
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
Balance Sheet
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041
19
West End Community Centre
5A Underwood Lane
PAISLEY
PA1 2SL
Tel: 0141 889 7481
email: info@roarforlife.org
Website: www.roarforlife.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1Roar
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoarCommunities
Roar - Connections For Life is a company limited by guarantee Company number: SC390855
and a charity registered in Scotland Charity number: SC042041