Dorset County Council and Dorset CCG are working together to refresh the support available to people within their local community.
Over a number of years, the council’s Partnership for People Programme (POPP) has worked with various community groups, setting up projects helping to reduce social isolation and promote wellbeing. This programme has been reviewed to make sure that the right support is available to people at the right time and in the right place.
From April, Dorset CCG is taking forward work to embed personalised care across the county. This will help people living with a long term health condition to make good decisions about their lifestyle choices in order to improve their health and wellbeing.
Through a personal conversation, a care and support plan will be co–produced with the person enabling people to be more in control of what support they need and when.
Working across a number of different public, voluntary and community services, the new service will start in spring 2019.
While the Dorset CCG new service is being finalised, ‘Dorset Wayfinders’ will continue to provide signposting to appropriate information, advice and services in local communities.
Help and Care has have been a delivery partner on the POPP programme for the past 12 years. Help and Care played an important part in delivering a successful service. Through the Wayfinders and Champions they have provided positive outcomes for numerous individuals and whole communities. Help and Care remain committed to supporting community development work. They are leading discussions with voluntary and community sector organisations about future collaboration.
Supporting people to stay healthy and independent is a key outcome for both the council and Dorset CCG. The role of our community development workers is being review and how they can work better with local health and well-being boards and the work done in libraries.