Link Line the early years

Initially set up in November 2001 to serve the three wards of Bilston East, Ettingshall and Bilston North Link Line now delivers comprehensive contact and outreach support services across the whole of the city of Wolverhampton.

Over a 2 year period St Leonard’s Church in Bilston carried out extensive research to identify what the community felt was needed and how the church could respond. Bilston was very much an industrial manufacturing area that has gone through enormous changes in the past 30 years and is now a multicultural community with areas of significant deprivation.

The results of the survey showed the greatest needs were those of the older people irrespective of ethnic or cultural background. We found many over 65’s living on their own, feeling lonely and isolated from their neighbours and community. What they needed was someone to chat to - someone who had the time to listen.

With the help of initial funding a pilot project was established  in 2001 to provide a proactive telephone contact service for older people. In the first twelve months 250 people signed up for the service.

Following an evaluation, in 2003 a three-year mainstream lottery grant enabled the Link Line to be properly resourced and professionally developed. This included the commissioning of a bespoke Contact Management and Information System (CMIS) specifically designed to manage the service to a rapidly growing membership. As a response to feedback from the members further services were added.

Our outreach support services include accompanied support to all hospital and medical appointments, shopping either assisted or shopping on users behalf together with home visits, benefit checks, help with general household and garden tasks and bereavement support.

By mid 2006 Link Line:

• employed 10 staff and had 15 regular volunteers

• operated across the whole of the City of Wolverhampton

• had established partnerships and support with statutory agencies; voluntary organisations and community groups.

• Link Line membership experienced extraordinary growth to over 2500

Link Line today