How people with social care needs spend their day is at the heart of a new programme being launched by Dorset Council this week.
The programme entitled ‘What does a good day look like?’ asks adults with social care needs and their carers; how they spend their day, what they enjoy doing, what’s important to them and whether anything is stopping them from achieving their goals and aspirations.
Day opportunities and support are available in many forms – through networks of family and friends, organisations, communities and through the council. People have the option to attend community-based centres, access voluntary groups and receive support from personal assistants, family members or friends.
The views that the council receive through the survey, focus groups, telephone line and group chats will help to ensure that its day opportunities offer is broad enough to meet a wide range of outcomes for individuals.
2000 carers and 1600 people who use Day Services are invited to contribute. However, the Better Days team are keen to hear from anyone who has an interest in day opportunities.
The survey was created by the council’s Better Days team, a programme which aims to improve the lives of local people, facilities and activities for those who may need support on a regular basis.
Cllr Simon Gibson, Lead member for Adult Social Care at Dorset Council says:
“Wherever possible, we want people in Dorset to live fulfilling, independent lives, so we’ve compiled a few questions which will prompt people to tell us about the opportunities they want.
“Once we have collated the feedback from local residents, we’ll be sharing the findings with stakeholders and the public and then we can work on new ways to ensure they have the right support, at the right time, in the right place.
“With informed feedback from residents and carers, individual support plans can be more tailored in the future and not necessarily what we think they might like. We want to enable people to be as independent as possible, where possible.
“We’d love to hear from as many local people as possible and hope residents and professionals can spare a few minutes from their day to help us to help them.”
Residents can complete the survey online or return a paper copy free of charge. The team also welcomes feedback by email, telephone and in group telephone chat sessions (see website for details).The questionnaire is available for anyone who is supported or who provides care in the Dorset Council area. It can be accessed on the council website or by calling 01305 228554 to request a paper version (during opening hours).
The consultation closes on 26 March 2021.
