HALTON council has launched an innovative ‘Community Connectors’ plan to tackle loneliness and isolation.

The new team is  designed to help to connect the community and help residents avoid crisis.

Community Connectors will meet with groups and individuals and signpost them to services which may be able to help, as well as offering expert advice on a variety of issues.

They will also match vulnerable and socially isolated people, who have been identified by GPs and other health and social care professionals, with a Community Connector to improve confidence, inclusion and independence.

The team of two has a variety of projects planned for Runcorn and Widnes over the coming months, including a successful ‘Meet and Greet’ that took place last Monday.

Council officers Maddie Powell and Vicky Waller have an excellent local knowledge including social groups, support services and charities.

This helps them to provide guidance for individuals in the community to get the help and support they need quickly and close to home.

The pair will will provide support that’s built around and helps people recognise what they want to do, and how we the team help them to achieve this.

Halton Borough Council’s executive board member for health and wellbeing, Cllr Marie Wright, said: “They will work alongside the community to help people build skills and conquer those things that have been standing in people’s way

“The team is currently working as a 12-month pilot and its work will be focused in building up community connections in Runcorn electoral wards, Halton Lea and Grange, and Widnes electoral Wards, Kingsway and Appleton.”

The scheme, which is only available to people over 18. follows similar projects in Sefton and Blackpool.

More information can be found by contacting the team on on 0151 5116869 or community.connectors@halton.gov.uk .