Age Concern Pembrokeshire has developed a whole new approach to supporting vulnerable older people that is being admired and even copied throughout other parts of Wales.

The pioneering charity is developing a system that looks at the whole lifestyle and circumstances of an older person seeking help, as opposed to previously where it would simply deal with the particular issue raised by an older person.

Age Concern Pembrokeshire's chief officer, Jane Slade, explains how it works: "Fairly recently, an older lady came to us seeking information about care homes. However, after our initial consultation, it became clear that this lady did not really want to live in a care home, she was simply having trouble maintaining the physical condition of her property. In all other respects she was quite capable of living independently in her own home.

"We therefore provided the lady with a full benefits health check to make sure she was claiming all the benefits to which she was entitled and arranged for some adaptations to be carried out at the lady's home so she could continue living there with comfort and safety. In the past, the lady would simply have been given a leaflet on care homes and would quite probably be currently living in a setting wholly inappropriate to her needs and capabilities.

"We keep in regular touch with the lady through our Call Care System to make sure that she is safe and happy living in her own home."

The innovative system starts with a comprehensive assessment of the older person's personal situation so that the Age Concern Pembrokeshire team can decide whether the client has low, medium or high support needs. The team will then deliver a package of support to the older person and will actively seek to develop an ongoing relationship with them.

Such comprehensive support packages have meant that changes have had to be made to the team structures at Age Concern Pembrokeshire. The organisation has also developed its network of volunteers to help deliver the ambitious plans.

Praising the innovative approach, the chief officer from neighbouring Age Concern Sir Gar, Anne Dymock, said: "Following the success of the Pembrokeshire model, we are looking to replicate something similar in Carmarthenshire. Looking at the older person's needs as a whole and not just what they initially raise makes every sense and we will be looking closely at how our colleagues in Pembrokeshire deliver such an unique service."

Pembrokeshire's initiative has also been praised at a national level following a visit by Robert Taylor, who is the chief executive of the all-Wales body, Age Concern Cymru.

Mr. Taylor said: "This is a really innovative scheme for the voluntary sector that helps ensure that the older people of Pembrokeshire get an effective service that works for them. In many cases, an individual may come to Age Concern for help on one particular issue, but we know that, more often than not, this request masks a need for help in a whole range of other aspects of their lives."

For more information about the work of Age Concern Pembrokeshire, including opportunities for voluntary work, please contact: Karen Butler, Contact Centre manager, Age Concern Pembrokeshire, 37 Merlins Hill, Haverfordwest, tel. 01437 769972.