Finding support for yourself
Do you feel your care needs are affecting your quality of life?
Whatever your age or ability there are things you can do to remain healthy, independent and safe.
Before contacting Adult Social Care why not explore what help is available in your local community. The Adult Social Care pages on your local authority’s website is a useful place to start. You’ll find activities, services and support groups delivered by local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations.
Sometimes trying something new or making small changes can make a big difference to your wellbeing.
If you can’t find anything to meet your needs then you may wish to reach out to your local authority’s Adult Social Care Service.
Contacting Adult Social Care
When you contact Adult Social Care for the first time, a friendly advisor will ensure you get the right help and support as quickly and easily as possible.
Whatever you tell them will be handled sensitively, with kindness and respect. The conversation will centre on what really matters to you, focussing on what support you need to remain active, independent safe and well.
The advisor will find out:
- what is important to you
- your strengths
- what you can do for yourself
- what help and support is around you
- where you have difficulties and
- what outcomes you want to achieve
The advisor will explore details such as whether you are contacting Adult Social Care for yourself, a family member or as a carer, the best way to introduce you to local opportunities and any equipment that could help you remain independent.
They will also discuss the next steps of the process, and any assistance you might need from advocacy services, an occupational therapist, interpreter or translator.