A DEVON community mentoring pilot supporting people over 50 who have become socially isolated or excluded in some way, following bereavement for example, illness or disability, has achieved a national quality standard from the Cabinet Office.

A DEVON community mentoring pilot supporting people over 50 who have become socially isolated or excluded in some way, following bereavement for example, illness or disability, has achieved a national quality standard from the Cabinet Office.

The Time For Life projects, delivered by a partnership of Age Concern Devon, Upstream Healthy Living Centre and Westbank, on behalf of Devon County Council and the Department of Health, has received the endorsement for meeting key management and operational requirements described by the Government.

Councillor Stuart Barker, Devon County Council's Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services said:

"This is recognition of the fact that that people in Devon are getting an excellent service from our Time for Life mentoring team. Our residents' satisfaction with a service that assists and supports them at a vulnerable time in life has contributed to us achieving the Approved Provider Standard."

Community mentoring is a service that is helping people make new friends, explore different experiences and share skills.

Mentors work alongside individuals to build self confidence, raise self esteem and promote independence for as long as possible.

Time for Life mentoring schemes are operating across Devon, while in Exeter Link2 mentoring projects are run by Age Concern Exeter.

Sue Howell-Richardson, Time for Life Project Manager, said:

"Achieving this quality standard is excellent. It is further evidence that the support people are getting is of the highest quality. We are not complacent though and we will continue to look at how we can improve our services even more."

For more information about Time for Life, contact: 0845 296 7997 or email: info@timeforlife.org.uk

Or for more information about Link2, contact: 01392 202092 or email: reception@ageconcernexeter.org.uk

Information is also available at: www.mylifemychoiceindevon.org.uk

Or visit: www.devon.gov.uk and follow links from My Devon TV to Social Care and Health, to find a new video about Time For Life.