How local residents access adult care services is set to improve following the launch of a series of ‘Front Door’ workshops aimed at making it easier for people to take their first step to accessing the support they, or a loved one, need.
Run in conjunction with Involve Community Services, an organisation which supports the voluntary and community sector across the local area, the first workshop took place in early December with more planned in the coming months.
The project brings together a range of service users who have either accessed care services before or are just beginning on their journey, along with local voluntary and community organisations who are involved in signposting people towards support.
By involving people with lived experience of accessing adult social care, the Front Door project is a great opportunity for them to share their thoughts on what worked well and what they felt could have been better when they first tried to access services.
The groups are also able to discuss ideas and opportunities to help improve the process.
Some key themes that emerged from the workshop included the need to help people understand where they can go for help and what help is out there, and the need to address some of the misconceptions people may have about adult social care, including how it is portrayed in the media and the fear of the unknown.
“We’re committed to making sure residents are at the heart of our services,” said Cllr David Hare, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services.
“Co-production like this, where people have the opportunity to help shape and influence the services they receive, is a fantastic opportunity for us to improve what we do and how we do it.
“That first moment when someone approaches us to discuss their care needs is always going to be a time of uncertainty and stress. This is especially true when people don’t always know what support they need or what is on offer.
“By listening to the experiences of those who have gone through the process we believe we can make the experience a positive one, where people feel confident they will be heard and will be supported through these first steps.”
The Front Door project is also receiving national support and sponsorship from Improving Adult Care Together (IMPACT), a UK centre dedicated to enriching people’s lives by improving the care they receive.
By drawing on insights from research, lived experience of service users, and practical knowledge from providers, the council can support real changes to how people access care services within the borough.
Feedback from those attending the first workshop has been very positive with people feeling like the council really wants to listen to their thoughts and make changes.
Co-production is a great opportunity for people to help influence how the services they use are designed, commissioned and delivered and help share their thoughts. The next co-production focus is to improve Direct Payments, where residents receive a budget to coordinate and manage their own support rather than receive services organised by Adult Social Care.
If you have direct experience of health and care services and want to work as part of a team to help find shared solutions for the wider community, contact Hilary at getinvolved@wokingham.gov.uk.
