Needs Analysis 2022 FLIP - Manual / Resource - Page 7
DEPRIVATION
5. Support in the community for the vulnerable,
elderly, and isolated
A range of high-ranking indicators demonstrate the
need for more support to protect and help those who
are vulnerable, elderly, and isolated or lonely. This
includes those who are isolated through long term
illness (ranked second highest in the county),19 those
who live alone but may not be lonely, elderly people who
have reported loneliness (third highest in the county),20
and those facing the highest level of doorstep crime,
fraud and scams. Additionally the number of pension
credit claimants add to the picture of vulnerability.21
mental health are 310 per 100,000
Kent at 14.1 per 100,000
273
253
185
188
Maidstone
50
98
Porchlight is Kent’s largest charity for
homeless and vulnerable people. They exist
to help people who have nowhere to go and
no-one to turn to. Some are living on the
streets, others need their support to prevent
or resolve issues that could put them at risk of
homelessness.
Tunbridge Wells
Sevenoaks
Tonbridge & Malling
Ashford
Dartford
Gravesham
Dover
Medway
0
84
69
100
107
119
145
152
150
Canterbury
236
200
CASE STUDY
Young people (those aged 16 to 24 years) have been
particularly affected by the pandemic. This suggests
that more young people are staying in education and not
looking for work, which is supported by the record
economic inactivity rate of young people in full-time
education.
250
Folkestone & Hythe
4. Removing barriers and providing opportunities to
employment
Following a pre-pandemic period of employment growth
and low unemployment since March 2020, employment
has generally been decreasing and unemployment
increasing in Canterbury. In May 2021 the overall
unemployment was 4.6%.18
300
Swale
3. Support in the community for children, young
people, and adults with learning difficulties
Canterbury ranks highest for learning disabilities in all
age groups, emphasising the need for good care and
opportunities in the community for these individuals.17
There is also a need for increased promotion to reduce
stigma. Covid-19 restrictions saw a traumatic loss of
routine, activities and contact with family and carers
that was hard to understand and to cope with.
A rank of 1 on the table below, is the most deprived. There
are 333 local authorities in England.
34
Canterbury has a high student population and results
from three different surveys conducted during
November 2020 concluded that more than half of
students report that their wellbeing and mental health
had worsened because of the pandemic.16
Canterbury ranks 9th in the Index of Multiple Deprivation
across Kent.
Thanet
support to prevent suicide which is top ranked in Kent at
14.1 per 100,000 and is a rising trend.14 Canterbury is
ranked second for prevalence of serious mental health
and will benefit from more maintenance and recovery
support, so that people can live better with their
conditions and recover well after treatment.15
Tamara was made homeless after losing her
job. With nowhere to turn, she was forced to sleep
rough.
“Sleeping rough was terrifying. I was cold,
frightened and ashamed. I would walk all night
because it felt safer than sleeping. I tried really
hard to escape the situation. I didn’t drink or take
drugs, but most people looked straight through
me. It felt like my situation would go on forever. It
was soul destroying.”
As well as finding Tamara a place to stay to get
back on her feet, the team at Porchlight gave her
the emotional support to overcome the trauma of
homelessness.
“Porchlight has changed my life. I feel like I belong
in the community again, my confidence is back and
I can walk around with my head held high.”
NEEDS ANALYSIS
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