17/08/2011 - Permalink

Help shape the future of adult social care in Shropshire

Related topics: Community / Health

People using adult social care services, family carers and organisations involved in supporting vulnerable people are invited to the latest in a series of consultation events to have their say on the future of adult social care.

Hosted by Shropshire Council, the event will be held at Bridgnorth Leisure Centre this Thursday 18 August 2011, from 1.30pm to 4pm, as part of ‘Live life: your way’ – the biggest and most comprehensive consultation the council has ever carried out on adult social care in the county.

Thursday’s event will be the third of six ‘Live life: your way’ public events across the county giving residents the opportunity to get involved throughout the summer.  The meetings include a presentation on the reasons behind the need to change and interactive workshops, which draw on the expertise and knowledge of the adult social care community, voluntary and community sector and residents.

Over 200 people have attended the events so far and many people who participated in the workshops told us that they thought the sessions were very inclusive and interactive, Participants also said they felt very involved and were being listened to, and that they were able to suggest ways in which they felt could help shape the future of adult social care.

Due to the popularity of the events an extra event has been organised in the evening to accommodate people who could not attend the day time sessions to be held on the 23rd August at The Lantern community centre in Shrewsbury.

Further public consultation events will take place at:

  • Bridgnorth Leisure Centre – 18 August – 1.30pm to 4pm
  • Whitchurch Leisure Centre – 22 August – 1.30pm to 4pm
  • The Lantern, Meadow Farm Drive – 23 August – 6.00pm to 8.30pm
  • Ludlow Food Centre – 24 August – 1.30pm to 4pm

Adult social care services have changed very little during the past 30 years, but the people we serve and the county we live in has changed greatly.  To be able to deliver the best care possible, it is no longer desirable to have a service where one size fits all, but a variety of tailored services, developed by the people who use them, their carers, supporters, families and friends.

Councillor Ann Hartley, Cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care, said:

“Live life: your way’ is Shropshire’s biggest consultation on adult social care and we really need everyone in Bridgnorth and the surrounding area to get involved to make this work.  Whether you or a loved one use adult social care services, or if you are a community or voluntary organisation supporting vulnerable people, we need you to come along to one of our public events to help shape the future of adult social care in Shropshire.  This is your chance to get involved to help create a new shared vision that fits the needs of Shropshire’s residents.”

Councillor Steve Charmley, Cabinet member for disabilities, added:

“We are changing the way adult social care services are developed and delivered and we need your help.  Every family depends on social services at some point in their lives.  This is why your views will be instrumental in the way adult social care will be delivered in the future.  This is your opportunity to share your views and experiences and to help us develop the best range of services for the people of our county.”

In addition to the public events, the council is talking to a variety of people from advocacy groups to partners, such as the NHS and those who access services on a day-to-day basis. This included more than 40 representatives from adult social care and health organisations across Shropshire taking part in a consultation event on Friday 22 July.

Feedback from all the events will be presented at the final ‘Live life: your way’ feedback event on 23 September 2011, at the Council Chamber, Shirehall, Shrewsbury, from 9.30am to 12 noon.

Anyone who is unable to make the public events but would still like to contribute has between now and 30 September to express their views.  To get in touch, you can call 0345 678 9005, email: livelifeyourway@shropshire.gov.uk, log on to our website at shropshire.gov.uk/livelifeyourway.nsf , go to the Facebook page , or follow us on twitter here.