Vision Aims to Help People Live Better Lives

A draft strategy setting out how South Tyneside Council and its partners will help people to live healthy and happy lives has been strongly supported by residents.

The Living Better Lives five-year vision has been co-produced with local people and focuses on the three core principles of people, places and partnership, with almost 90 per cent of respondents agreeing strongly with the approach.

The strategy aims to support people to maintain their independence for as long as possible by preventing and delaying their need for care. Drawing on the area's strong sense of community spirit, services will help people to live safe and well in their own homes while keeping them well connected to their communities.

Councillor Anne Hetherington, Lead Member for Independence and Wellbeing, said: "We want to build upon people's strengths and assets; to support their independence and enable them to live a better life in the neighbourhoods and communities they call home.

"We have made already made progress in this and other areas in recent years but this vision seeks to build on these achievements while responding to the new challenges that lie ahead."

The strategy also recognises the importance of people being in control of their care and support and highlights the importance of self-care while addressing the root causes of health inequality such as housing and unemployment..

While the vast majority of feedback on the strategy was overwhelmingly positive, a report to Cabinet recommends that the strategy should be revised still further to take into account people's views. In particular, those who access adult social care, carers, staff who work in the sector and the Council's partners such as the NHS and the voluntary sector will be asked to work with the Council on the final strategy,

A final version of the strategy will be presented to Cabinet in September.