Live life: your way – Shrewsbury residents – we need you to help shape the future of adult social care in Shropshire

An additional event has been organised tomorrow evening (Tuesday 23 August 2011)  from 6pm to 8.30pm, at The Lantern in Shrewsbury, 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. 

People using adult social care services, family carers and organisations involved in supporting vulnerable people are invited to the latest in the series of consultation events to have their say on the future of adult social care.  Due to the popularity of these events, the additional workshop is being set up to accommodate people who cannot attend the daytime sessions.

Hosted by Shropshire Council, Tuesday’s event will be the fourth 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 250 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.

Further public consultation events will take place at: 

• Ludlow Food Centre – 24 August 2011 – 1.30pm to 4pm
• Feedback Event – Council Chamber, Shirehall, Shrewsbury – 23 September 2011 – 9.30am to 12noon

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 Shrewsbury 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, 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.”

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 12noon. 

Anyone who is unable to make the public events but would still like to contribute has between now and 30 September 2011 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.      

Additional information

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 2011. 

Live life:your way events have already been held at The Lantern and Shrewsbury Town FC, The Marches School in Oswestry, Bridgnorth Leisure Centre and Whitchurch Leisure Centre. 

We are asking people to get involved over the next three months throughout the summer. We are also holding a series of events across Shropshire, giving people the opportunity to share their views and experiences, helping us develop the best range of services for the people of our county.