14th June 2013
Simon Duffy and Kelly Hicks of the Centre for Welfare Reform have recently been thinking about how social work needs to get back to its roots and move away from some of the unhelpful patterns and adopt more positive models like LAC. Simon recently wrote the following blog which may be of interest
http://swscmedia.com/2013/06/stand-up-for-social-work-by-dr-simon-duffy/
12th June 2013 West Sussex Care and Support Summit
Great day in Worthing on 12th June exploring the possibilities of Local Area Coordination, ABCD and strength based action.
A big thank you to Philippa Thompson for the invitation and opportunity to hear what is happening in West Sussex. It was a great opportunity to start a conversation, explore ideas and share learning.
Some real passion and commitment to local communities in West Sussex – helping people to stay strong, building supportive communities and building partnerships.
Better Together!!
12th June 2013 What older people need is not choice, but companionship
“The government’s aim is to give older people a wide choice of care options, but what they really need is to be included in society”, says Alex Fox
Read the great blog by Alex Fox via the link below
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jun/11/older-people-need-choice-company?CMP=twt_gu
Choice is about much more than services. It’s about valued and supportive relationships, being in control, having confidence in the future, contribution, citizenship – It’s about having a LIFE!
Older people, like everyone else, have great gifts, skills, knowledge and experience to share as valued, contributing members of our communities.
4th June 2013 Community Catalysts Win European Innovation Fund Award
Sian Lockwood (Chief Executive at Community Catalysts) reports below on their success at the European innovation awards
“The competition aimed to tackle the issue of unemployment across the EU and invited entry from people with ‘new ideas on how to unlock fresh talent, skills, experience and insights …..to create new forms of work for tomorrow?’
There were 605 applications from 35 EU countries. 30 semi-finalists attended a mentoring workshop in Amsterdam and March, 10 finalists were invited to an awards event in Brussels……and one of the three winners was Community Catalysts CIC! José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission presented us with the prize of 20,000 euros together with a distinctive trophy.
Our winning proposal was to extend the reach and impact of their work with micro social care providers by establishing a managed network of business mentors throughout the UK via an on-line platform. The platform will connect talents in business and communities, creating jobs by helping people to use their creativity to set up sustainable, small-scale social care and health services. This in turn will create real and affordable choice for people who use care and support services in response to the personalisation agenda.”
May 2013 Derby City Mid Point Report
Huge congratulations to Neil, Simran and Rajeev for their great work as Local Area Coordinators in Derby City. Although still early days, they have
- taken time to get to know local people and communities well
- developed positive relationships, partnerships and understanding of the abundant resources and connections locally
- come alongside local people to find positive and practical ways of overcoming issues, building resilience
- helped support people to not need/divert from formal services, through local solutions
The mid point report shows some really powerful stories and very positive feedback from people who have come into contact with Neil, Simran and Rajeev.
They are helping people to stay strong, build supportive relationships, be part of and contribute to their local communities.
Local people are also having exciting conversations about how, together, they can build a positive vision for their communities and think of the range of ways they can get there.
Some of the stories from Derby City will appear in the forthcoming paper on Local Area Coordination.
May 2013 First Local Area Coordinators in Thurrock!
Following a community led recruitment process, Thurrock now has it’s first Local Area Coordinators ready to go!
A real collaboration between local people, voluntary sector organisations, Thurrock Council and statutory partners resulted in a highly interactive recruitment process.
We are really looking forward to now all working together to come alongside local people and communities to work together to build a positive vision for the future and support all people to be part of the journey
We’ll introduce you to the new LAC’s shortly
Where is the LAC Newsletter?
Sorry!! Yes, we are late with the LAC Newsletter.
We have been working on the new paper on Local Area Coordination stories, which will be published in the Summer by the Centre for Welfare Reform.
We hope to get the Newsletter out in the not too distant future – lots of stories to share about what’s happening nationally