New Strategy to Help People Live Better Lives
A new adult social care strategy has been approved for South Tyneside to help people live better lives.
The Living Better Lives strategy has been developed following extensive consultation and has been co-produced with people who need care and support, local partners and people working in social care.
The approach is part of the 'Our Council' change programme which seeks to ensure people have their say on services in South Tyneside.
Shaun Armour, a commissioning officer with the NHS Integrated Care Board, who also supports Equal People, a group delivered by Your Voice Counts, was one of those to get involved.
He said: "Part of my involvement was making sure the documents were easy to understand and accessible. I also supported people from Equal People to make sure they got their opinions heard."
As part of the new approach towards giving residents more say on services in South Tyneside, co-production training was offered.
Peter Gardiner, who also got involved in the development of the strategy said: "The co-production training was great. It was all about coming together to have an equal voice to make things better in South Tyneside."
The new five-year strategy highlights six key objectives based on local and national priorities and local people's views of what must change to match their vision of living a better life. This includes: prevention and early intervention, helping people to stay well and independent as long as possible by encouraging people to lead healthier lifestyles and making the most of their own strengths and resources; supporting people to remain in control as to how they receive their care and support to help them achieve the best outcomes; keeping people at risk of harm and abuse safe; working in partnership to improve health and care as well as working with communities and having a sustainable and skilled workforce.
Councillor Anne Hetherington, Lead Member for Adults, Health and Independence, said: "We want people in South Tyneside to live in the place they call home with the people and things that they love, in communities where people look out for one another, doing things that matter to them.
"Thanks to the input from people who use our services, we are now in a strong position to work together to enable more people to realise their vision of what living better lives means."
Resident Suzanne Dummer said: "I got involved because its important that people with disabilities, hidden or unhidden, have a better life in that they shouldn't have to worry about the little things. As a physically disabled person, it can be difficult for me just to get through doors or get to a toilet that will accommodate my wheelchair. By sharing my experiences I hope to be able to change things for the better for other people."
To view the strategy visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/adultsocialcarestrategy