WELCOME!!!
Welcome back after the Summer break. I hope everyone managed to find some time to relax and recharge the batteries.
Much has been happening over the past few months in Local Area Coordination in England and Wales, so I thought it would be good to share some recent information, as well as look forward to what is happening towards the end of the year.
1. Stories, Stories, Stories
We have been steadily collecting stories from across Local Area Coordination areas for inclusion in the (delayed!) forthcoming publication.
There have been great stories around
- supporting people to build supportive personal relationships
- local, low cost/no cost non service solutions to challenges
- a great Garden Share Scheme in Cumbria
- a men’s group in Gloucestershire
- supporting contribution and citizenship,
- increasing choice and control
We are currently finalising the editing and hope to share the stories soon.
Over the next couple of pages are other developments over the past few months
2. Local Area Coordination is Expanding in Derby and Thurrock!
It’s great to see that Local Area Coordination is now growing in both Derby and Thurrock councils.
Kate, Rachel and Sue joined the team earlier this year, with plans for a further 3 Local Area Coordinators now in the pipeline.
In Derby, there are 4 new Local Area Coordinators about to start – very exciting.
3. Recruiting in Walsall
Laura Terry is working with local people in Walsall to find their first 2 Local Area Coordinators. It’s been really great to meet people and start thinking about what would
4. New Conversations and Developments
It’s really exciting to be starting the design and development of Local Area Coordination in Swansea, Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot across Western Bay in South Wales and also with Peterborough Council on the east coast of England.
The Peterborough developments is also in partnership with Community Catalysts, looking at the possibilities of Local Area Coordination and micro enterprise and local innovation together nurturing inclusion, contribution, relationships and local solutions. Watch this space.
You can find out more about Community Catalysts at http://www.communitycatalysts.co.uk
5. 17th August 2014 LEHC Workshop
It was great to be invited to the LEHC event in London with Neil Woodhead and Brian Frisby to share information and conversations about Local Area Coordination. We also met colleagues from other areas – potential partnerships and collaboration in the future.
Shared learning, mutual support and a focus on gifts, strengths and innovative solutions is valuable for us all!