A new approach to helping the vulnerable in and around Sudbury

A 'person centred' approach

Vulnerable people who live in and around Sudbury (including villages such as Lavenham, Long Melford, Chilton, Acton, the Waldingfields and Monks Eleigh) will be benefiting shortly from the introduction of ‘Local Area Co-ordination’.

It is hoped that the new scheme will create a much more joined up approach to helping people access the services that they need. The improved way of operating should both reduce demand for public services and provide a more ‘tailor made’ approach for individuals.

It is believed that at present people find accessing the services that they need complicated and confusing. To try to make life easier two local area coordinators are now being recruited to work with the elderly and other vulnerable people, together with their families, in finding the right service solutions for them.  The co-ordinators will help people to access the right information.  They will listen to their preferences and help them to choose the right options.  They will help to find new ways of doing things which may mean that public service provision is not actually necessary.  They will help people who feel isolated or lonely to build up social networks and community support systems.

This is a new way of doing things which has had significant success in other parts of the country. The new posts for the Sudbury area are being advertised currently here, and the job descriptions give a good idea of what is involved.

If you would like further information about this new way of doing things please contact me.