Information on Loughborough

Transforming care through co-operation

Posted on 24/10/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Adult Social Care Service

23 October 2009

Transforming care through co-operation

People are being invited to a meeting to hear how they can join forces to organise their own care.

Leicestershire County Council wants to pilot a care co-operative in Oadby and Wigston, where people who receive direct payments to fund their own care can share their experiences, offer practical support to each other and develop a good quality, value for money care service.

People are invited to discuss the idea at South Leicestershire Community Opportunities, Long Street, Wigston,  between 6pm and 7.30pm on Thursday, 29th October.

Timothy Tavener, from the Co-operative and Social Enterprise Development Agency, will answer questions about setting up the venture.

David Sprason, Cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Health at Leicestershire County Council, said: “This is an innovative scheme which will increase independence and freedom for older and disabled people in Leicestershire.

“I am proud that Leicestershire is a part of this pilot and would encourage everyone with an interest to come to this meeting and find out more.”

Direct Payments enable people to buy their own services, which are often more flexible and suitable to their individual needs. These payments are now changing into Personal Budgets, which offer even more freedom and choice and pave the way for forming more co-operatives and other opportunities for people to work together.

The Oadby and Wigston area has been chosen to be part of a national pilot project, funded by the Department of Health and led by Co-operatives UK (better known as The Co-Operative). The project aims to build on existing informal support networks to develop formal Care Co-operatives that promote good practice and long term employment opportunities for people within the local area.

Anyone who receives a Direct Payment is welcome and family, friends and other formal and informal carers are all encouraged to come along. People from outside Oadby & Wigston are also welcome, as the long term plan is to set up these co-operatives throughout the county.

South Leicestershire Community Opportunities is located at 35 Long Street, Wigston, Leicester, LE18 2BP. A buffet will be provided at the meeting. Places at the meeting are limited, so for more information or to book a place call Mary Hill, Project Officer, on 07950 972 524, email: mary.hill@leics.gov.uk or visit:

http://www.leics.gov.uk/personalisation

http://www.leics.gov.uk/direct_payments_scheme

There is also a Care Co-Operative being set up in Melton, represented by several borough councillors.