The Isle of Wight is set to benefit from Rally Round, a free digital network which enables family members, friends, carers and communities to create and organise support for themselves or someone they care about.
Rally Round allows users to create a secure online network of people they know and trust to help out with day to day tasks. Users can add tasks to a ‘to do list’ around an individual’s personal needs and lend a hand by agreeing to do specific tasks on the list.
It is ideal for people with busy lives and is a safe and easy way to bring people and communities together to support those in need. It was designed to help frail older people and their family carers, however it can also be used in a variety of other ways from co-ordinating volunteers to arranging the school run.
Rally Round has several helpful features including letting the group know when tasks have been completed and enables users to set up notifications for email or text alerts to ensure nothing slips through the net. It also allows users to share important information such as local pharmacy locations or favourite foods and uses the same technology used by banks to ensure information shared remains secure.
Supported by the voluntary sector Isle Help partnership and local care system as part of the new model of care on the Island, it is hoped that Rally Round will become a practical tool for many Islanders.
Elizabeth Martin, Manager, Carers Isle of Wight:
“We work with carers all year round and as a voluntary organisation, we often hear first-hand of struggles faced by carers and those who need helping out with their day to day needs. Whether it’s doing the shopping, mowing the lawn or attending a doctor’s appointment. When a group of people come together to help out, they not only provide more care and support for the individual but are also part of a wider group helping to share the load.”
Jo Dare, Chief Executive Officer at Age UK Isle of Wight:
“So much can be achieved when communities rally around an individual to help them when they are in need, whether they are a family member, friend or neighbour. Rally Round allows for those day to day tasks to happen in a co-ordinated way where everyone has the opportunity to provide support, and to be kept in the loop. We believe that Rally Round will enable our Good Neighbours scheme to help even more people but will also help families and friends to help themselves”.
Anyone living on the Isle of Wight can set up a network on Rally Round using the step by step guidance accessible online at: www.rallyroundme.com/iow
