Residents Driving Positive Changes In Social Care Across Wokingham Borough
Residents across Wokingham Borough are playing an active role in shaping the future of adult social care, helping influence local services, strengthen community connections and raise awareness of the support available in their communities, according to an annual Social Care Future update.
The update comes as the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care launches its Big Conversation on Care, a national engagement exercise gathering people’s views and experiences to help shape the future of care across England.
The report highlights the difference resident involvement is already making locally, from improving accessibility and strengthening community support to helping shape services and the way adult social care is delivered across the borough.
Residents have worked alongside the council and partners to influence how services are designed, what they should achieve and who is best placed to deliver them. Their experiences, ideas and feedback are helping ensure local decisions reflect what matters most to people.
People who draw on care and support are also helping shape who works in Adult Social Care. Through interview panels and recruitment activities, residents have helped appoint 17 members of staff so far.
More than 30 residents have worked in paid roles on projects alongside the council and partner organisations, helping redesign services, spaces and strategies across the system. Many more have helped shaped work by sharing their views in community conversations and surveys.
Launched this year, the Inclusive Design Group brings local people together to help improve accessibility across Wokingham Borough. Members share their real-world experiences at the planning and design stage, helping organisations identify barriers early and make practical improvements.
The group aims to help create communities where everyone feels welcome and included. The group is made up of twelve residents and three local projects have already benefited from their input.
Changes influenced by residents in previous years are also continuing to make a difference. Since improvements were made to disabled bus pass arrangements, approximately 61,000 additional journeys have been made, helping people travel to work, attend appointments and stay connected to their communities.
A major focus during the year has been helping people better understand social care and the role it can play in helping people live the lives they want to lead. This has included taking part in the national Gloriously Ordinary Language programme, which is helping make communications clearer, kinder and more human. The learning is already influencing support plans, recruitment materials, letters, forms and public communications.
Cllr David Hare, executive member for adult services and public health, said: “Social care affects all our lives, yet too often people only think about it when they, or someone they love, need support.
“This update shows the difference that can be made when people use their personal experience of care and support to help shape what happens locally. Residents are helping improve accessibility, influence decisions, strengthen community support and make Wokingham Borough a more inclusive place to live.
“We are proud that our commitment to working alongside residents was recognised by the Care Quality Commission through its Outstanding rating for partnerships and community collaboration.
“There is still more to do, but the progress made over the past year demonstrates what can be achieved when residents, communities, partners and the council work together to create positive change.”
