The Dolphin Society

The Dolphin Society's activities can be grouped into three main areas:

FIRE HAZARDS     

More than 50% of all deaths from domestic fires are of people aged over 60. With this in mind, The Dolphin Society embarked on a programme in 1997 to improve the level of safety for the elderly in Bristol. Over the last three years the Society has bought more than 7,000 smoke alarms.

These have been fitted by volunteers as part of a scheme organised and supervised by Avon Fire Brigade. The alarms have been supplied at a favourable rate by Coleman Ltd, a local company based in Portishead, but with a national reputation for high quality smoke alarms. They provide an alarm that can be tested by shining a torch on to the sensor. This means that an older person can test the battery without having to climb on chairs or ladders. The volunteers are willing to replace the batteries if no-one else is available to do this. An alarm is fitted on each floor of the building and for those who are hard of hearing, a more sophisticated system is installed. This comprises a flashing light and a vibrating pad placed under the pillow.

Many of the volunteers who install the alarms are trained to spot fire hazards in an older person's home and they can provide appropriate advice, for example, on how to get help to repair dangerous wiring.

The smoke alarm programme received a "Building a Better Bristol" award in 1998 and is set to continue for several more years, with a goal of 40,000 units. The programme has received national recognition and is a model other cities are now copying.

           SECURITY     

One of many examples of the Care & Repair van in use is that of Mrs Windsor who lives in Bedminster. She contacted the organisation when her husband, who is in his 80's, fell down the steps to their garden. The tradesman fitted a rail adjacent to the steps charging them only for the cost of the materials.While he was there, he noticed that their security was completely inadequate and fitted new locks to both the front and back doors, making them feel far more secure in their own home. The cost of the security materials was met by The Dolphin Society.Last year the Society funded over 100 cases such as this, providing great peace of mind to some of the most isolated and vulnerable members of our community.

  One of the major concerns for many older people is a sense of insecurity in their own homes. The Dolphin Society is helping to reduce fear and uncertainty in their lives by funding the purchase of door and window locks, security lighting and entry phone systems. This is aimed at older people on low incomes who have been burgled or are vulnerable because of inadequate security measures. The fitting is carried out by Bristol Care & Repair, a charitable organisation dedicated to the support of older people living in their own homes. To celebrate its 250th anniversary, the Dolphin Society has purchased a van for the organisation to carry out its good work. The van is used by a multi-skilled tradesman whose costs are borne mainly by Bristol City Council. The Dolphin Society has funded the van and will continue to fund the cost of materials.      

 A LIFELINE - for People Living Alone     

For 12 years the Dolphin Society has provided Tunstall Lifelines to older and impoverished people in Bristol. The idea is simple and highly effective: the Tunstall Lifeline is worn as a pendant around the neck so that emergency assistance can be called at any time.

Miss Smith, aged 85, finally got in touch with The Dolphin Society following an incident at her home. It was a particularly hot Saturday and Miss Smith had decided to take a bath. It was 9am and she reasoned that the effort a bath took would be better dealt with when she had more strength in the morning. After bathing, she tried to get out of the bath but found that the rubber mat she used to prevent her from slipping had worn too thin and she couldn't get out.

Her immediate neighbour is stone deaf and her good friend on the other side was away for the weekend, so no amount of shouting did any good. She kept the hot water topped up as long as possible, but eventually had to let it out.

Forty eight hours later, on the following Monday morning when the friend had returned from his weekend away, he noticed that her milk bottles had been left on the doorstep. He had a key and was able to get in and found Miss Smith still in the bath and hallucinating through discomfort and lack of food.

It was as a result of this distressing incident that Miss Smith decided she needed help and contacted the Dolphin Society, which provided her with a Tunstall Lifeline and showed her how it worked. Miss Smith provided the names and telephone numbers of two neighbours who were prepared to act as key holders and contact points in the event of an emergency.

This is typical of many stories. The Lifeline provides an immeasurable improvement in the quality of life of older people living alone, allowing them to live independent lives knowing that they can call for help at any moment. The Dolphin Society has purchased over 1000 of these Lifelines and pays their annual monitoring costs. Tunstall Lifeline Ltd has supplied the units at a reduced rate and provides 24 hour coverage from its control centre.

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