Developed in partnership with Housing 21, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, and Oxfordshire County Council, the Fern Meadows scheme provides 60 high‑quality, self‑contained homes – 45 for rent and 15 for shared ownership – purpose‑built for people aged 55 and over with care needs.

To date, 53 residents have already moved into Fern Meadows, with more set to benefit from the scheme in the coming months.

Residents of extra care housing schemes like those at Fern Meadows have their own front door and private apartment and live as independently as they want, while benefiting from a flexible, personalised care offer that adapts as their needs change.

The model forms a key part of the Oxfordshire Way – the council’s commitment to supporting people to live well and independently, close to their communities.

James Williams, a resident at Fern Meadows, said: “Moving into extra care housing has made a huge difference to my life. I’ve been able to keep my independence and my own front door, but with the reassurance that support is there whenever I need it.

“It’s taken away a lot of worry – not just for me, but for my family too.

“There’s a real sense of community here already, and it feels good to be somewhere that’s been designed to help people live well for longer.”

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Fern Meadows shows exactly what modern care looks like.

“People deserve independence, dignity and a real sense of community – and this is what extra care housing provides. It’s vibrant, social and designed around the person, not the other way around.

“We’re proud to open this new scheme in Faringdon and give local residents more choice in how they live their lives, with support available when they need it. This is the Oxfordshire Way in action.”

Fern Meadows includes a range of facilities to help residents stay active, connected and supported, including:

• A welcoming café/bistro and a hair salon open to the public
• Spacious residents’ lounge and activity room
• Communal gardens
• A guest suite for visiting family and friends
• Secure storage for mobility aids
• A dedicated on-site housing manager and independent care team
• Care staff on-site 24/7 to provide assistance when needed

The scheme has been created to offer a warm, accessible environment where people can enjoy peace of mind, companionship and a sense of belonging.

Darren Herbet, Deputy Head of Extra Care South at Housing 21 said: “Housing 21 is a leading provider of safe, high quality, and affordable homes for older people, empowering residents to live independently.

“We currently operate over 700 housing schemes, providing 24,000 homes across the country, and we continue to grow. As the UK’s population ages, we remain committed to developing more modern, accessible homes”.

“We are delighted that Fern Meadows is the newest addition to our expanding Extra Care portfolio. It has been designed to create a vibrant and inclusive environment that offers residents both privacy and independence.

“The scheme will serve as a community hub for Faringdon, offering opportunities for local people to connect, participate and benefit from the services and activities available”.

Extra care housing forms an important part of Oxfordshire County Council’s Oxfordshire Way approach to supporting people to live independently for as long as possible. It enables residents to enjoy the privacy of their own home, with reassurance that help is available day and night.

The scheme will primarily support people aged 55+ with care or health needs, though applications from others may be considered in exceptional circumstances. Families and carers are also encouraged to explore the scheme when planning for their loved ones’ future.

More information about Fern Meadows is available on Extra care housing | Oxfordshire County Council and the Live Well Oxfordshire website.

ENDS

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A group that provides opportunities for people with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities to experience the physical and social benefits of horse riding has received a special visit.

Councillor Mark Lygo, Chair of Oxfordshire County Council, last week (11 February) visited AIM RDA, the newest Riding for the Disabled Association group in Oxfordshire.

Founded in 2024 by a team of passionate volunteers, AIM RDA is the first new Riding for the Disabled Association group in several years and is already making a significant impact.

Benefits to members include improved balance, coordination, confidence, and wellbeing.

Oxfordshire County Council’s adult social care team works closely with local community organisations as part of the Oxfordshire Way – the council’s approach to helping people live well and independently within their communities.

By supporting initiatives that promote choice, independence and inclusion, we ensure that adults with learning disabilities can access activities that enrich their lives and reduce isolation.

Councillor Mark Lygo, Chair of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “It was inspiring to meet the volunteers and riders at AIM RDA and see the difference they are making firsthand.

“Watching the sessions in action really brought home how much confidence and joy these activities give to people.

“AIM RDA is not just about horse riding – it’s about creating a supportive community where everyone feels included, and I’m proud that Oxfordshire is leading the way in inclusive activities.”

Becci Hutchins, Co-Chair of AIM RDA, said: “We are always happy to share the fantastic work we do at Aim RDA, and it was great to welcome Mark to our sessions at Shrivenham Equestrian Centre.

“RDA provision is oversubscribed in most parts of the UK, so our mission to set up a thriving new group for the Oxfordshire area is incredibly important.

“Our name, “AIM”, stands for our ethos of “ability, independence, motivation” – all of which can be found in action in any of our inclusive riding sessions.”

AIM RDA accepts participants with a diagnosed disability from age eight, with no upper age limit – they welcome adults who are not always included in RDA provision. Riding sessions take place during evenings and weekends, and every application is assessed individually to ensure participants are placed in the most suitable session.

AIM RDA is currently welcoming applications from new riders. If you or someone you know could benefit from these sessions, please get in touch. Whether you’re looking for therapeutic riding at all levels for a broad scope of disabilities, or simply want to enjoy the companionship of horses as a volunteer, AIM RDA offers a safe, community-orientated environment.

AIM RDA has two locations: one in Shrivenham and another in Chilton Foliat.

For more information or to apply, visit: Join Us | AIM RDA.

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Falls are one of the leading causes of injury for older adults. South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) reports around 3,000 falls and frailty-related 999 calls every month. Falls among people aged 65 and over are estimated to cost the NHS more than £2.3 billion annually.

The good news is that many falls can be prevented through simple steps such as strength and balance exercises, home safety checks, and regular health reviews.

Running throughout winter and into spring, the campaign will share practical advice and signpost residents to local support services, including:

• Age UK Oxfordshire’s exercise and information programme, Stay Strong and Steady
• Active Oxfordshire’s Move Together initiative - a county-wide programme designed to help people, especially those with long-term health conditions, disabilities, or who are inactive, become more physically active and improve their wellbeing.
• Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Falls Prevention Service - offers a one-off multifactorial assessment to create a personalised risk management plan for reducing falls
• Home Improvement Agencies - help older, disabled, and vulnerable residents live safely and independently in their own homes. Grants and practical advice are available to help clients with repairing, maintaining or adapting their home:
• Oxford City Council
• Cherwell District Council
• South & Vale District Council
• West Oxfordshire District Council

Activities throughout the campaign will include community events, social media updates, leaflet drops at GP surgeries, and partnerships with local organisations.

This initiative is part of a broader, county-wide programme of work to prevent falls, reduce falls-related hospital admissions and promote independence. This programme is supported by local partners including Age UK Oxfordshire, district councils, Active Oxfordshire, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers, and Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB).

Cold weather brings additional hazards that can increase the risk of falls. Ice, snow, and wet surfaces make pavements and outdoor areas slippery, while shorter daylight hours can reduce visibility.

Residents are encouraged to take extra care when out and about, wear appropriate footwear with good grip, and allow extra time for journeys. Simple precautions, like clearing paths, using handrails, and planning routes, can make a big difference in staying safe during winter.

Cold indoor temperatures can also exacerbate arthritic symptoms, reducing strength and dexterity. This decline in physical function increases susceptibility to falls.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “A fall can have a devastating impact on someone’s life, but the good news is that most falls are preventable.

“By making small changes, like improving home safety and staying active, we can help people remain confident, independent, and safe. This campaign is about giving residents the tools and support they need to live well and reduce the risk of falls.

“But it’s not just about to ways to improve stability when individuals are already frail, it is about creating a society where people are able to live active lives, so they enter older age fit and healthy.

“This is why, as Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, I have very keenly supported active travel and public transport initiatives, and why, at a district level, I advocate strongly for better place making in new housing schemes. Only by encouraging active healthy lives can we prevent or lessen falls in old age.”

Paul Ringer, CEO at Age UK Oxfordshire said: “Falls can happen to anyone, and winter brings extra risks with slippery conditions and shorter daylight hours.

“But together, we can change that. Our goal is simple: to help people feel safe, confident and connected in their homes and communities. By sharing practical advice and working in partnership, we can reduce falls, support healthy ageing, and protect independence.

“This isn’t just about preventing accidents – it’s about giving people real choice and control over their lives, while easing pressure on vital services across Oxfordshire."

Residents and carers can find advice and resources on the Live Well Oxfordshire website, including exercise guides, home safety tips, and details of local classes.

For more information, please visit the Live Well Oxfordshire website.

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Teams from across the county’s hospitals, GP practices, adult social care, mental health services, ambulance services, community health services, and the voluntary and community sector are working together to keep services running smoothly, and ensure people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Winter brings additional challenges each year, including a rise in respiratory illnesses, flu and COVID-19, and worsening health conditions caused by colder weather.

Felicity Taylor-Drewe, Chief Operating Officer at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We know that winter is always a demanding time for our services, but the reality is that these pressures are now being felt all year-round. That’s why it’s so important that we continue to build on the strong partnership working that happens across Oxfordshire every day.

"Our Home First approach remains central – supporting people to stay well in their own homes, preventing unnecessary hospital admissions, and helping patients to return home safely and promptly when hospital care is no longer needed. Hospital is not always the best place for recovery, and we know that most people prefer to be cared for in or near their own homes wherever possible."

The public is also being urged to consider the most appropriate service for their needs. Emergency Departments should be reserved for life-threatening emergencies. For other health concerns, local pharmacies, GPs, Minor Injury Units, and NHS 111 online are all available to help.

Angie Fletcher, Deputy Chief Nurse at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Looking after your physical and mental health is more important than ever during the winter months. Our teams are continuing to support people through community physical health and mental health services – whether that’s via our eight community hospitals, mental health helpline, or in people’s homes through our district nursing and school health teams.

"We’re also reminding people that help for mental health is available 24/7 through the Oxfordshire NHS Mental Health Helpline, accessible via NHS 111 online, and through Oxfordshire Talking Therapies.”

Dr Ben Riley, GP and Chief Medical Officer at BOB ICB, added: “Staying well this winter starts with preparation.  Make sure you’re up-to-date with your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and also, if you’re eligible, a vaccination for a respiratory bug called RSV which can cause coughs and chest infections. If you live with a long-term condition such as diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure, please make sure you take your preventative medicines and attend your review appointments when they are due, so you are in the best shape to fight off any winter infections.”

If you do become unwell and are generally fit and healthy, many local pharmacies are now able to give you effective treatments without the need to see a GP, including treatments for common winter health conditions including earache, sinusitis, sore throat and straightforward urinary tract infections. Find out if your pharmacy offers these Pharmacy First services.

Health and social care partners are also working closely to support people outside of hospital settings.

Karen Fuller, Director of Adult Social Care at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Helping people regain independence quickly and avoid long-term care is at the heart of our Oxfordshire Way approach. Through our discharge to assess model, residents can return home from hospital sooner and with the right support in place.

“This benefits hospitals by reducing unnecessary stays, but more importantly, it means people are recovering in familiar surroundings and staying connected to their communities.

“It’s all part of the Oxfordshire Way: our vision for supporting residents to live well and independently for as long as possible. By working alongside local voluntary and community partners, we’re making personalised, close-to-home support possible.”

The South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) is also playing a vital role in the system-wide response to winter pressures.

Duncan Robertson, Chief Paramedic at SCAS, said: "Demand for 111 and 999 services always increases through winter. We’re asking people to help us, help everyone, by making the best use of the options available. Using 111 online , if you can, helps us answer the phones faster for those who need to call us.

“Our 999 teams are always available, but should only be used for life-threatening emergencies like serious road traffic accidents, strokes, and heart attacks. We really appreciate the public’s support in helping us prioritise the most urgent cases.”

Working together as Team Oxfordshire

All health and care organisations in Oxfordshire are committed to working together through this winter and beyond. By sharing information, resources, and expertise, ‘Team Oxfordshire’ is delivering joined-up care and supporting people to stay healthy and well this winter.

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Oxfordshire County Council’s adult social care service has been awarded a ‘good’ rating following a planned inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

The CQC report, published today, highlights the strength of the council’s Oxfordshire Way vision, which supports people to live well and independently within their own communities. The report also commends the council’s positive partnership working with the NHS and the voluntary and community sector, which is central to the strategy.

The council’s teams were praised for their person-centred approach, with a focus on building relationships and trust to better understand residents’ needs.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “I’m delighted to confirm our ‘good’ rating following the CQC inspection and congratulate everyone involved in achieving this positive outcome.

“The report highlights our clear vision for adult social care in Oxfordshire and the strong partnerships that help us to keep improving services for residents. This rating reflects a well-integrated service working at scale with NHS and social care partners.

“I also want to recognise the dedication of our care workers. Their commitment is absolutely central to this rating.”

CQC local authority assessments have been a statutory requirement for all councils with a responsibility for adult social care since April 2023, as part of the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place between Monday 13 and Friday 17 January 2025 and involved meetings and focus groups with members of the council’s adult social care team, councillors, external partners and people who draw on the service.

The report also highlighted several strengths in the council’s service, including:

• A well-managed transition process for young people moving into adulthood, with conversations described as “aspirational and ambitious”.
• Strong relationships with community and voluntary sector partners, enabling the council to better understand and plan for local needs.
• Marked improvements in safeguarding, with long-standing cases reduced from 286 to just 18 within a year.
• Effective reablement services, with 77% of people regaining full independence following support, demonstrating strong outcomes in helping residents recover after hospital discharge.

This latest rating follows the council’s children’s services also being graded ‘good’ by Ofsted in April 2024, reflecting Oxfordshire’s commitment to delivering high-quality support across all age groups.

Oxfordshire County Council remains firmly committed to strengthening adult social care. Findings from the recent CQC assessment will play a key role in shaping ongoing improvement plans.

To ensure services are responsive, inclusive, and continually improving, the council will continue working closely with partners, care providers, the voluntary and community sectors, and, most importantly, residents, their families, and carers.

Listen as Cllr Tim Bearder explains what makes adult social care in Oxfordshire so successful.

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A group that offers a welcoming space for people aged 60 and over to connect, learn and enjoy time together is going from strength to strength, thanks to support from Oxfordshire County Council’s Connected Communities Fund.

The Cutteslowe Seniors group was awarded £2,000 to provide twice monthly social activities and support services to older people in their communities. They meet at Cutteslowe Community Centre from 11am to 2pm on the second and fourth Friday of each month. These substantial midday gatherings foster meaningful connections and support emotional wellbeing.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Cutteslowe Seniors is a brilliant example of the Oxfordshire Way in action: supporting people to live happily and independently within their communities.

“These small grants can have a huge impact, and I’m delighted to see the difference they’re making.”

The group alternates between lively social sessions with guest speakers and activities, and outings to places of interest across the region.

A recent session featured a talk from a legal adviser on important later-life topics such as inheritance tax and powers of attorney. The event was followed by a shared lunch, served by two young volunteers from a local school, bringing a heartwarming intergenerational touch to the day.

Sylvia Barker, who coordinates the group, said: “We are so grateful - we simply couldn’t carry on without the fund.”

The group’s impact goes far beyond socialising. For many members, it’s a lifeline.

Maria, a regular attendee, said: “Everyone is so warm and welcoming. Sylvia does a fantastic job, and volunteer Linda is wonderful too. We come because we feel welcomed, we get to see friends, and the outings are a real highlight. I feel so much more comfortable being part of a group.”

The Connected Communities Fund is managed by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) and Community First Oxfordshire (CFO). Both organisations offer expert support to help community groups like Cutteslowe Seniors make the most of their funding.

Laura Price, CEO of OCVA, said: “Small amounts of funding can have a huge impact, giving more people more choice about how they can stay healthy, happy and connected across our county.”

Emily Lewis-Edwards, co-CEO of CFO, added: “The Connected Communities Fund is a great example of collaborative working at its best. These grants place trust in local groups to deliver real change.”

Anyone interested in joining Cutteslowe Seniors can contact Sylvia Barker at barkersylvia191@gmail.com.

More information about the support offered by OCVA and CFO can be found online, and through the Community First webpage.

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From 1 August 2025, we’re changing our supplier from NRS Healthcare to Millbrook Healthcare. Like NRS, Millbrook are a national provider and have previous experience of working in Oxfordshire. With our NHS partners we’re working closely with both providers to ensure as smooth a handover as possible.

Scams and fraud – Stay alert

Scams and fraud are the UK’s most common crime type, and unfortunately, there is a scam out there for everyone. With scams constantly evolving, it’s important to recognise the common hallmarks:

• They often come out of the blue (such as cold calls or unexpected messages).
• They create a sense of urgency, pushing you to act quickly.
• They use fear or intimidation, or promise a reward or prize.
• They encourage secrecy, discouraging you from speaking to others.

Our advice:
If it’s out of the blue, it’s not for you! Always STOP and take five – give yourself time to think, make a good decision, and talk to someone you trust. If you think you’ve been a victim of a scam, act quickly:

• Contact your bank or card provider.
• Report it.

We also encourage you to support the National Trading Standards Scams Team and become a Friend Against Scams. Learning how scams work and how to help victims can make a big difference.
 

The following FAQs provide guidance for residents, carers and professionals during this transition.

1.     I have daily living equipment from NRS. Do I need to give it back? 

No - you don’t need to return your equipment because of the change in provider. Please continue to use it.

2.     I am waiting for daily living equipment. Will I still get it? 

Our new supplier will be fulfilling existing orders. There may be a short delay during the transition period, so please bear with us if this happens. If you have any concerns, please talk to the person who ordered the equipment. 

3.     What should I do if I need to return daily living equipment?  

Please call 01865 536 425 to arrange for it to be collected.

4.     What should I do if my daily living equipment needs repairing? 

Please call 01865 536 425 to arrange for it to be repaired.

5.     What if I need new daily living equipment?  

If you’re assessed as needing bespoke equipment, your clinician will discuss this with you, including how long it might take and what options are available to support you in the meantime.  

6.     What should I do if I receive an automated maintenance text message from NRS?

We’re aware that some automated maintenance texts are still being sent by NRS in error. Please ignore these messages. NRS phone lines have been diverted to Millbrook, and most systems have transitioned. This issue has been raised and is being addressed.

7.     Will there be any changes to my care plan?  

No. We don’t anticipate any changes to care plans.  

8.     My family member is in hospital; will it affect their discharge? 

Through our new supplier, we’ll continue to provide equipment to support those being discharged from hospital. There may be a short delay during the transition period, but we’re working hard to keep this to an absolute minimum. 

9.     Can I buy my own daily living equipment? 

Yes, you can. Please contact the person who recommended your equipment, who will be able to give advice on what to purchase. You can also visit Live Well Oxfordshire.

10.     I have pendant alarm supplied by the council. Do I need to do anything? 

No – the monitoring and response service will continue in the normal way.  

11. What do I do if I need a repair to my pendant alarm?

Please call 01865 536 439 to arrange for it to be repaired.

12. What should I do if I receive any suspicious communications asking for payment?  

Please be aware that we will never contact you asking for bank details. Those delivering equipment will be in uniform, will have a badge and will contact you before arriving to clarify details.

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The Oxfordshire Care Co-op is a year long pilot, funded by Oxfordshire County Council and delivered in collaboration with a network of local partners, looking to identify any gaps in the local care market and design innovative solutions.

The community led programme is designed to test, develop and coproduce new models of care, broadening services that are currently available to make them more suitable for a wider range of people.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “We are pleased to be supporting this new pilot.

“The Oxfordshire Care Co-op is an exciting initiative that brings together a diverse network of partners to develop innovative solutions for our local care market.

“By involving care workers and those who receive care services in the decision making process, we are ensuring that the services we provide are better suited to more people who need them.”

The Oxfordshire Care Co-op brings together partners including African Families in the UK, Community Catalysts, Co-operative Futures, Oxford Community Action and Oxford Brookes University, and is supported by the community wealth-building initiative Owned by Oxford.

The Owned by Oxford initiative is designed to develop a business model which is owed and run by care workers and/or people who receive the services. Members make decisions together on things such as pay and working conditions and profits are reinvested into improving services or shared among members.

The pilot continues with a community led research phase where care providers and people who draw on care services are invited to take part in an upcoming workshop. Here participants will learn more about co-operative care, share their experiences and help identify the needs and priorities for people in Oxfordshire.

The next session will be taking place online on 21 July between 5.30pm and 7pm.

People who are unable to attend in person can sign up future opportunities to get involved.

You can find out more and register for the event online.

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But for Dawn and Anup, it’s not always so simple. Living with a learning disability can make certain events inaccessible or daunting to go to on their own.

That’s where My Life My Choice’s Gig Buddies programme makes a real difference. Set up with financial support from Oxfordshire County Council and now funded through the National Lottery, the scheme matches up people with learning disabilities with other people who enjoy the same things, to experience events together.

This Volunteers Week (2 - 8 June), My Life My Choice is looking for more people to join Gig Buddies, to enable people like Dawn and Anup, to get out and enjoy all that Oxfordshire has to offer.

Dawn is a Consultant with My Life My Choice and said: “I just think it’s good to go out and enjoy yourself. Because people with learning disabilities and autism don’t always get out very much. So, it’s really good that Gig Buddies can help them get out and socialise.

“It’s so easy to volunteer with Gig Buddies. We match up people who like the same things, from going to the cinema to ten pin bowling. It only takes a few hours a month, doing something you’d already be doing. Just instead of going by yourself, it’s more fun because you have someone to go with!”

My Life My Choice provides independent support for people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire. The charity offers guidance on self-advocacy, enabling people with learning disabilities to share their voice on important issues relating to them and the wider community.

The organisation is governed by people living with learning disabilities, resulting in programmes like Gig Buddies being developed, which make a genuine difference to their members’ lives.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "My Life My Choice empowers adults with learning disabilities to live happily and independently, giving them a platform to share their voice and achieve their ambitions.

“The Gig Buddies programme is the perfect example of our Oxfordshire Way in action, enabling people with additional needs to live life their way, being active members of their communities and reducing the need for more formal care.”

My Life My Choice is now looking for more people to join their Gig Buddies programme, to enjoy events and occasions with their members. More information about volunteering can be found on the charity’s webpages.

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In partnership with the charity Guide Dogs, Oxfordshire County Council’s sensory impairment team is delivering the sessions, bringing together people aged 14 to 25 years old from across the county, to learn things from meal preparation and budgeting to using specialist technology and how to self-advocate.

Jess Brown is the lead children’s worker from Oxfordshire County Council’s sensory impairment team and said: “Moving from childhood into adulthood can be a difficult time in anyone’s life. It’s a point where we’re learning more about ourselves and how we want to live our lives.

“For young people with vision impairment, this time of transition can be particularly challenging in a world that is designed for sighted people.

“These sessions are proving hugely valuable for the people taking part and it’s so lovely to see the steps they are taking to make new friends, learn new skills and generally grow in confidence.”

The first ‘get set for adulthood’ session took place in Bicester last month, focusing on kitchen safety. While team members from Guide Dogs and the sensory impairment team set the main targets, it was the young people who were given the power to develop the course, including incorporating how to use air fryers and how to cook on a budget.

The next session is taking place during the May half-term, where the young people will learn more about shopping and getting value for your money.

Loretta Knop, Habilitation Service Manager at Guide Dogs, said: “It is brilliant to be able to work collaboratively with Oxfordshire County Council to put on these sessions to enable the participants to develop essential life skills for adulthood.

“Having a vision impairment can make life a little trickier, but with support and the determination that these young people have shown, I can’t see anything holding them back!”

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “These sessions are a great example of our Oxfordshire Way in action, supporting people to live well and independently in their own community.

“By working together with organisations like Guide Dogs, we are empowering our young people to gain the skills they need to live life their way. This is never more important than when a young person moves into adulthood, and it’s brilliant to see these sessions making a difference to people’s lives.”

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Kym and Roger Garnett are much like any other Oxfordshire couple. They live on a quiet road in Banbury, in a spacious well kept house.

But for the last 27 years, the Garnetts have been part of Oxfordshire County Council’s Shared Lives programme, seeing them open their home to adults with additional care needs, offering them a place to stay and grow their independence.

And at a ceremony last night (Tuesday 29 April) at Frilford Heath Golf Club near Abingdon, Kym and Roger were given an award celebrating their long service by Oxfordshire County Council Chief Executive, Martin Reeves.

Martin said: “For almost three decades Kym and Roger have selflessly opened their home to offer adults with additional needs a place to live happily and independently.

“The difference they have made to the people they have shared their lives with should not be underestimated and it is a privilege to be able to celebrate their kindness and dedication with them.”

Roger and Kym became Shared Lives carers in June 1998. Roger had previously been employed as a support worker with the NHS learning disability team and has many years of experience supporting adults with additional needs, with a specialism for people with autism.

They are able to support up to three people at any one time, for long and short-term stays as well as providing accommodation for adults needing immediate support with little notice period.

Martin added: “Kym and Roger have been able to offer tailored support for people when they have needed it most. Whether that was a fixed place to stay to give someone the continuity they needed or a roof over their head when a person found themselves in immediate need, the Garnetts have opened their door and welcomed them in.”

Kym and Roger are both advanced first aiders and have significant support from the county council’s Shared Lives team, ensuring they have the latest guidance and training.

On receiving the award, Roger said: “Shared Lives is a very special programme. While there are some challenging times, we get just as much from the scheme as the people living with us.

“We learn from each other and laugh with each other and it is a real joy to see the people staying with us grow their independence.”

Roger and Kym have also been shortlisted for a long-term service award at next month’s Oxfordshire Care Awards. The event recognises excellence in the region’s care sector, with the ceremony taking place at Blenheim Palace on Tuesday 6 May.

Shared Lives plays an important role in the council’s Oxfordshire Way vision, by supporting people to live happily and independently withing their communities, reducing the need for more formal care.

Shared Lives carers come from all walks of life, from different backgrounds and live in all kinds of homes. You can earn up to £500 a week by supporting someone at home and fit it around your life and work commitments.

If you think you could support an adult with additional needs, you can find out more about the programme at oxfordshire.gov.uk/sharedlives or calling 01865 897971.

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A care team that provides a unique hybrid approach to supporting adults with additional needs has been nominated for a prestigious local award.

Oxfordshire County Council’s community partnership team provides traditional building-based activities from Mayott House in Abingdon while also delivering outreach support across the county, for adults identified as needing more one to one, personalised care.

They have now been nominated in the care team category at next month’s Oxfordshire Care Awards.

Bianca Moss is the Community Partnership Team Manager at Oxfordshire County Council and said: “We really are unique in our approach to providing care. Unlike more formal services, we are given the flexibility to offer a range of activities in different locations, that really make a difference to the people we support.”

The community partnership team was developed in response to the social distancing challenges of the COVID pandemic, when people were unable to visit community support services due to lockdown restrictions.

Instead of basing themselves from a council community support service building, the team instead worked with extra care housing providers, bpha, to provide a more traditional day care support in the form of a café for residents and visitors at Mayott House, Abingdon.

Alongside this, countywide outreach support can be offered to adults identified as most in need, including people with mental health concerns associated with loneliness and depression.

Bianca said: “We are the only team I’m aware of able to offer this holistic, individualised support, as well as our building-based care. Whether it’s bingo or knit and natter at Mayott House, supporting someone to attend a GP appointment or help decluttering their house, our small team has the autonomy to think differently and put the person they are supporting at the very heart of what they do.”

The community partnership team has now been recognised for its work by being shortlisted for the team of the year at the Oxfordshire Care Awards.

The prestigious awards recognise excellence in the local care sector and will take place at Blenheim Palace on Tuesday 6 May.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “Our community partnership team embodies our Oxfordshire Way approach to support people to live well and independently within their own communities.

“This is only made possible by the partnership we have formed with housing providers bpha, as well as by working with The Order of St John Care Team, who provide care and support at Mayott House.

“With their backing, our small and creative community partnership team can offer the flexibility needed to provide this unique, hybrid model of support for our residents.”

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Having served in the Royal Navy, the 62 year old from Goring was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes following a kidney transplant, which has left him partially sighted.

But with the support of Oxfordshire County Council’s sensory impairment team, Ray is determined to regain his independence and get back to what’s important for him.

Ray said: “At first it was just a bit of help with cooking. I like to prepare my own food, but I found things were getting really difficult as my eye sight deteriorated. I spoke to my social worker, Amy Bailey, who then put me in put me in touch with a specialist team from the council, and things started to get better from then on.”

Amy referred Ray to Kate Laybourne, a practice supervisor with the county council’s sensory impairment team. It provides a service to people in Oxfordshire who have hearing and sight loss, supporting them by understanding their goals and working with them to find the best ways to achieve them.

Kate said: “Ray’s had a challenging few months. When I first met him in February, he was struggling with his strength and balance and felt unable to leave his home. We were initially asked to provide support with his meal preparation, which we managed to solve quite quickly with some handy kitchen gadgets.

“We then began to look at his options for getting out and about safely. Ray uses a long cane but hadn’t practised this for some time due to his health, so we began to work together on learning a short walk, navigating this using his cane.”

For Ray, this was a huge step. Ray said: “I hadn’t left my home for a while. I can see contrast and recognise shapes, but it’s still easy to trip and fall. But with Kate with me, I was able to start to remember the route, picking out obstacles and getting home safely.”

It soon became clear that with some physio and additional support, Ray could become far more independent and enjoy life even more.

It was at this point that Kate called colleagues from the community therapy service, a provision arranged by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, that offers physiotherapy in people’s homes. Ray was taught a series of strengthening and balancing exercises and, given his military training, stuck rigidly to the schedule.

Kate said: “The next time I visited Ray, the difference was astonishing. He was noticeably stronger and more confident, and it was great to see the change in him.”

Ray now enjoys walking the circuit that he learnt with Kate with friends and family. He even has plans to walk the mile and a half into the town centre.

Ray said: “I’m really grateful for the support from the physios, as well as from Amy and Kate. We still have a long way to go, but I’m determined to keep going.”

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “This is a great example of different organisations from across health and social care, working together for the benefit of residents.

“At its centre is our Oxfordshire Way Vision, supporting people to live happily and independently within their own communities. I wish Ray every success as he continues to live life to the full.”

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But the 36 year old, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in her teens, is now thriving, working for Oxfordshire County Council’s in-house print company, County Print Finishers, which specialises in offering accessible employment to people who are experiencing a disability or long term health concern.

Jenny spent ten years after leaving secondary school in a mixture of part-time and full-time further education settings, including specialist colleges for people with autism.

She initially worked for the family’s MOT service business as a bookkeeper and a garage assistant. Jenny said: “No two days were the same at the garage. The business was going for 52 years before my dad and uncle retired and I lost my job. In the same year, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a really difficult time for me.”

After months of supporting her mother’s recovery, Jenny felt it was time to try and find a permanent job, but with funding being reduced from the charity that was supporting her, she was put in touch with Oxfordshire Employment to help her find the job she wanted.

Oxfordshire Employment is the county council’s service that works with people who have additional needs, understanding their individual skills and supporting them to find and maintain a job that’s right for them.

For Jenny, her stand out organisational skills, which she learnt during her time as a bookkeeper, and natural attention to detail were a clear advantage to any employer looking for reliable and hardworking staff.

And after receiving some interview training and support with her CV, Jenny was offered casual work with a party entertainment business, before earning a position at County Print Finishers in February 2020.

Having started in a part-time role, Jenny worked her way up in the company and is now a full-time grade five workforce associate, which is something she very much enjoys.

She said: “I have quite a lot of responsibility here. I look after a production line that does things like the relabelling of goods, making them ready to sell in shops. I make sure there aren’t any mistakes and keep the production line flowing. My aim is to one day be a supervisor.”

Jenny is an integral part of the County Print Finishers team, based in Osney Mead in Oxford. As well as making sure the production line operates smoothly, she’s recently gained her forklift truck licence and is working towards even more qualifications to help her continue to progress her career.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Jenny story of resilience and determination is truly inspiring. She has overcome a number of barriers to find and maintain full-time work and while Oxfordshire Employment has given her outstanding support, it’s Jenny’s hard work and aspirational attitude that’s really led to her success.

“She is a wonderful example of how people from a range of backgrounds, with unique skills and dedication, can bring value and diversity to Oxfordshire’s workforce.”

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The service is accessed by a GP referral and provides a one to one consultation with an adviser, who can help with memory strategies, explore lifestyle changes, advise on benefits and provide support with planning for the future.

The memory support service also supports anyone who already has a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or who is waiting to be seen at a memory clinic.

The programme is delivered by Dementia Oxfordshire, a service provided by Age UK Oxfordshire with funding support from Oxfordshire County Council. It already supports people living with dementia and their families across the county.

Peter Johnson, Head of Service for Dementia Oxfordshire, said: “We know how difficult it can be to access support if you are experiencing memory problems but don’t have a diagnosis of dementia. Our new service aims to change that – offering advice and providing useful information so that individuals and their families don’t feel they are on their own.

“To access the new service, anyone with concerns about their memory will need to be referred by their GP. A GP can advise on the causes of memory loss, help you decide what to do next, and refer to the memory support service if it is appropriate.”

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Noticing a change in your memory can be a very worrying time. This new service by Dementia Oxfordshire provides more immediate support, especially in that period between realising there might be a problem but before any diagnosis has been made.

“By being supported at an earlier stage, residents can be guided to practical support in their own communities, enabling them to live well and independently for longer.”

More information about the service can be found online.

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In partnership with Age UK Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West NHS Integrated Care Board, Oxfordshire County Council will be joining digital café sessions to offer support with online skills for people looking to find out more about organisations in their local area, through the Live Well Oxfordshire directory.

At the same events, the councils blue badge team will be available to offer face to face support for people to apply for disabled parking permits, complete the assessment and if approved, take payment and submit the badge for printing.  

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Our Oxfordshire Way vision looks to enable people to live well and independently within their own communities. A large part of that is supporting people to find groups in their local area to help people to feel connected and active.

“Our Live Well Oxfordshire digital guide is a brilliant resource. Residents can type in their postcode and discover what’s available in their local area. But we know not everyone is confident with using online services, so our teams are heading out into the community to support people to find out more.”

The council’s Live Well Oxfordshire champions will be on hand to help residents to use the directory. Alongside them will be community link workers for Age UK Oxfordshire, helping residents to tap into support in the local area as well as offering further advice on the services they provide.

For the first time, the council’s disabled parking team will also be heading into communities to help people apply for their own blue badge. The pilot programme is designed with independence in mind, by providing blue badges to residents who may need additional support to travel around the county.

Cllr Bearder continued: “Residents who have their own disabled parking badge can use it in any vehicle they are travelling in. From driving themselves, to being a passenger in a private vehicle or community bus, the badge gives them real flexibility and independence to choose the best solution for them.”

The in-person sessions are taking place at the same time as established digital cafes, run by the local NHS to support people to better understand and use the NHS App. They will be happening at:

• Westgate Library – Monday 3 March, 2pm to 4pm
• Cowley Library – Monday 17 March, 10am to 12 noon
• Faringdon White Horse Surgery - Thursday 20 March, 10am to 12 noon - (the blue badge team will not be attending this session).
• The Health Centre, Wantage – Friday 28 March, 10am to 11.30am – (the blue badge team will not be attending this session).

Residents hoping to apply for a blue badge will need to bring with them the following information:

• proof of identity
• proof of address
• any relevant medical documents
• £10 cash or a check book for the administration fee.

In addition to these sessions, Oxfordshire County Council is collaborating with other local authorities in the south east, to hold a ‘planning for your future’ awareness event.

The online webinar is taking place on Tuesday 11 March at 7pm and will be hosted by Surrey County Council and Age UK Surrey.

The free session is designed to help residents to understand what support is available and what to plan for in the future, at a time when some people may need a little more help. Information will be provided on options for local support, typical costs, staying independent, powers of attorney, support for carers and more. 

Oxfordshire residents can book their place on the webinar online on the Age UK Surrey website.

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Having previously worked in therapeutic childcare, helping young people connect with nature to support their mental health, Paula joined Oxfordshire County Council in 2013, before changing roles in 2016 to become a coordinator in the adult social care team.

Much like social workers and occupational therapists, the role involves working with people who need additional support, typically those with less complex needs. It’s a good way into a career in care as it provides the opportunity to work with residents and understand the work in adult social care.

The role gave Paula an insight into the world of occupational therapy and the part it plays in the council’s Oxfordshire Way vision to support people to live well and as independently as possible, within their own communities.

Paula said: “Occupational therapists optimise care support. We’re encouraged to think outside the box about the things that can be done to support people with tasks that are important to them. Everybody’s different and that’s what makes the job so special.”

But to become an occupational therapist and carry out the more technical elements of the role, Paula needed to retrain. At the time she was 51 years old and had bills to pay, making this no easy task.

This is where the council’s apprenticeship offer gave Paula the support she needed. Retaining her position and pay banding at Oxfordshire County Council, Paula was able to apply for a four year course at Coventry University to work towards her occupational therapy degree.

Funded by the council, it gave Paula the chance to balance studying, learning and on the job training in other organisations, while continuing her paid work with the council.

Five years later, Paula is now a fully qualified occupational therapist. She is involved in developing the latest research in the area through a professional colleague forum and is a moving and handling instructor supporting carers and family members to understand safer techniques to support the people they care for.

Paula said: “My line manager describes the apprenticeship as supercharging our team. We get the very best training alongside vital support from colleagues and mentors.

“It gives me the confidence that no matter what situation I come across in my job, that I have the training to come up with good, person-centred solutions. And if something is really complex, I have a dedicated team around me who will be able to help.”

Paula continued: “The apprenticeship not only gives our workforce strength in the diversity of skills we each bring to the sector, but also creates a wonderful spirit in the team. Everyone wants you to succeed and that makes for a brilliant working environment.”

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “Paula’s journey to becoming a qualified occupational therapist is testament to her hard work and determination.

“Her positivity and dedication has inspired other coordinators to continue their training through national apprenticeships, bolstering our service and providing the very best support for our residents. We are extremely lucky to have Paula in our team.”

At a meeting of Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview Scrutiny Committee on Thursday (30 January), senior leaders in the county’s health and social care system have reported a positive picture. The region’s discharge figures show that 150 people were supported to return home with additional care in the week of new year, thanks to Oxfordshire County Council’s discharge to assess programme.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “While most of us take some time off towards the end of the year, our hard working colleagues in health and social care are supporting people in hospital and community settings, enabling people to live well and as independently as possible.

“The last year has seen a positive shift in how the entire system is working, with more people being supported to head home after a hospital admission, reducing pressure on the hospitals and improving people’s chances of regaining their independence.

“To see this continuing to take effect over Christmas and new year is great news for health and social care partners and even better news for families who are able to start 2025 together.”

Significant changes have been taking place in Oxfordshire’s health and social care system during the last 12 months, with increased partnership working and a greater emphasis on supporting people to access services, and live more independently, at home.

This includes the council’s discharge to assess programme, which supports people home more quickly after a stay in hospital, by providing additional home care support before care and financial assessments have taken place. Prior to the launch of the programme, this was done on a hospital ward, adding to a person’s length of stay.

Oxfordshire County Council is now working with home care organisations through a dedicated framework to provide more than 34,000 hours of care in people’s homes each week, compared to 24,000 hours per week, five years ago.

Coupled with the Transfer of Care Hub, which has been embedded into Oxfordshire’s hospitals to help identify a person’s route out of hospital and back home at a much earlier stage, discharge to assess has enabled more than 7,000 people to be moved safely out of hospital with additional support during 2024. An increase of 23 per cent compared to the previous year.

Felicity Taylor-Drewe, Chief Operating Officer at Oxford University Hospitals, said: “This achievement is testament to the excellent partnership work across the health and social care system to get people home from hospital as quickly and safely as possible – not least at a time like Christmas, when so many people want to be in familiar surroundings or with their loved ones.

“Initiatives like our Transfer of Care Hub are a really important part of this. Since the hub was set up in January 2023, the number of people in hospital beds waiting to go home or into community care has reduced to less than 90 a day, from a peak of 135 in 2022, including a recent low of 59.

“We know that being at home can really help patients with their recovery and wellbeing. Not only that, but by getting those patients who are well enough to leave us back home, we are freeing up beds for those people who need urgent or emergency care.”

However, people are still advised to choose their healthcare services wisely, ensuring that urgent and emergency care is kept for those who genuinely need it.

Felicity added: “While we are working hard on getting people home from hospital, we also need people to be mindful and careful of their healthcare choices before coming to hospital.

“Emergency departments should be for genuine emergencies only. If you need medical care that isn’t urgent but are unsure of where to go, NHS 111 can help. They can point you in the right direction in terms of a local service, whether that be a minor injury unit, your local pharmacy, or your GP, making sure that you get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”

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At a meeting of Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet on Tuesday 21 January, councillors agreed to contribute £6.2 million each year, for the next ten years, into a pooled budget with health care partners, under plans to bring together existing mental health service contracts.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We work closely with partners in the NHS, sharing a pooled budget for a variety of services, which offer better results for residents and the best use of our combined finances.

“Mental health services are included in this fund and it’s only right that we should continue to commit our fair share to enable residents to access this vital support.

“The ten year duration of the contract reflects our dedication to long-term commitment of identifying gaps in services and ensuring the needs of the population are being met.”

While the county council will continue to financially contribute towards the pooled budget and leads the joint commissioning of services, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) will hold the contract and be responsible for developing it. BOB ICB will also work with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership, consolidating the current contracts into one new agreement. 

The new mental health care model has been designed with the support from people who already use the services, their families and people who work in Oxfordshire’s mental health sector.

By gaining the views of these ‘experts by experience’, it is hoped the new programme will offer greater benefits to people who may use Oxfordshire’s mental health services in the future.

The contract, which is due to start in April 2025, will support people to live well and independently for longer, focusing on a preventative approach where possible and building resilience and the choice of safe and effective care and support for individuals affected by poor mental health.

Rob Bale, Chief Operating Officer for Mental Health at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust which provides NHS mental health services in Oxfordshire, said: “We look forward to developing further our work with partners, and people with lived experience, across the county to develop services that are tailored to the needs of the citizens of Oxfordshire.”

Matthew Tait, Chief Delivery Officer at BOB ICB, said: “It’s great to have the backing of the county council. We will now continue to work with partners to develop the new contract which will bring significant benefits for the people of Oxfordshire.”

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The awards are hosted by the Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers (OACP) and are supported and recognised by Oxfordshire County Council.

And this year, the Oxfordshire Care Awards have a change of setting, with the ceremony taking place at The Orangery in Blenheim Palace on Tuesday 6 May. 

The event brings together the very best unpaid carers, members of the community and voluntary sector, and statutory and independent care providers.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “People who provide care for others should rightly be celebrated and the annual Oxfordshire Care Awards is one of the most important events in the calendar.

“From unpaid carers and those who work in the voluntary sector, to homecare providers and inspiration leaders in the sector, it is always an honour to be involved in this event and show the council’s support for carers in Oxfordshire.”

Eddy McDowall, CEO of Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers, said: “This event is about more than awards; it’s about gratitude, it’s our chance to recognise and thank the inspirational people and organisations who tirelessly support our communities.

“Whether it’s family run services, larger care providers, or individuals who consistently exceed expectations, these awards are a celebration of their unwavering dedication.”

This year’s categories include:

• Adult Social Care Student Award
• Newcomer to Care Award
• Care Home Worker Award
• Domiciliary Care Worker Award
• Overseas Recruitment Award
• Leadership Award
• Care Team Award
• Digital Achievement Award
• Specialist Care Award
• Volunteer / Unpaid Carer Award
• Oxfordshire Hero Award
• Long-Term Service Award.

More information about the awards, including different ways to put forward a nomination, can be found on online or by contacting Lisa Leah on 01235 248091 or emailing lisa.leah@oacp.org.uk.

Nominations must be received by 5pm Monday 3 March 2025.

The awards ceremony will take place at The Orangery at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, OX20 1PS, on Tuesday 6th May between 6.30pm and 9.30pm.

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At a meeting of Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet on Tuesday 17 December, councillors noted the improved experiences of patients since the roll-out of the health and social care system’s Discharge to Assess programme, by reducing hospital discharge delays and increasing chances of regaining independence once people are back home.

Discussions were also held around how these improvements have led to a reduction in need for short stay hub beds, which were previously used as a stop gap for patients between staying in hospital and going home, with a commitment to remodelling the service to support residents with the most complex needs.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Our Oxfordshire Way vision shows the importance we place on supporting people to live well and independently, within their own communities for as long as possible.

“This is particularly important after a hospital stay as people’s chances of regaining their independence are much higher if they return home more quickly.

“Our joint-system Discharge to Assess programme is reducing hospital stays and we are seeing 73 per cent of people regaining the levels of independence they had before being admitted.”

The policy was discussed after a motion passed at November’s full council, asking cabinet to fully consider the reasoning behind the reduction of short stay hub beds in Oxfordshire, specifically in Henley, where seven beds in a care home were repurposed for alternative use in December last year.

The motion also asked cabinet to clarify if there was any need for an official consultation to take place prior to the decision being made.

Cabinet heard that the decision to reduce short stay hub beds followed national guidance to support people home from hospital safely and quickly, but members acknowledged that while formal consultation was not required, better engagement should have taken place with Henley stakeholders and residents ahead of the decision.

They noted the work that council and NHS leaders have since undertaken to better communicate the decision this year.

Comments were also considered from the Minister of State for Health, Karin Smyth MP, who in response to a letter from Henley and Thame MP Freddie van Mierlo,  said: “local joint commissioners, the NHS Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board and Oxfordshire County Council are best placed to determine the needs of their local population,” and that the decision to repurpose the beds did not meet the threshold for further intervention.

Councillor Bearder continued: "Following a written question from the Henley and Thame MP Freddie van Mierlo, it is good that we have some clarity from the Minister of State for Health, Karin Symth.

“We were grateful for the opportunity to fully and publicly discuss our approach to supporting people to return home from hospital quickly and safely through Discharge to Assess and offer reassurance that the partnership programme is producing good outcomes for residents.

“While it is understandable that people would like to retain access to as many local services as possible, our need for short stay hub beds is reducing and as contracts begin to expire, we need to make sure we make the best use of the Oxfordshire pound to support residents, where possible, in the comfort of their own homes.

“This inevitably means fewer short stay hub beds are required, but for those people who ultimately need the facility, they will continue to be available in Oxfordshire.”

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Funded through Oxfordshire County Council, discharge support workers are an important part of Oxfordshire’s Discharge to Assess programme, supporting people to leave hospital more quickly to continue their recovery with additional care at home. 

“The great thing for us is there’s no time pressure. We can sit and talk with people for as long as needed”, said Rachel, who is based at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

“That first conversation can uncover any concerns a patient may have, which aren’t necessary medical, but can potentially be really easy to fix. This can range from people concerned that they hadn’t locked the door when they went into hospital to forgetting things like glasses and hearing aids. I’ve even gone into a person’s home to find their teeth!”

Discharge support workers are available to have bedside discussions with people who have been identified as potentially benefiting from additional support, often finding solutions to reduce people’s anxieties.

And it’s not just this practical in-patient support that’s offered by Age UK Oxfordshire that’s really making a difference. During the discharge process, they are also able to offer valuable help by ensuring patients have everything they need to go home.

Lynn explained: “For some people, they’re worried they won’t have any food in the house, so we can provide a care package of essentials for those first few days.

“Before going home, we can support people to consider how their home environment is organised to ensure a safe discharge, which can include checking the measurements of their rooms to see if equipment like a hospital bed will be able to fit. It’s often about providing that reassurance that everything will be ok once they’re home and that they won’t be forgotten about.”

This is where Lynn and Rachel’s role becomes even more crucial, as they also double up as community link workers, providing continued support to people once they’ve left hospital and returned home.

By having a face to face catch up in a person’s home, community link workers are able to tailor their support in a meaningful way, providing information about groups and activities operating in the local area, to help source more long-term support options.

This plays an important part of the county council’s Oxfordshire Way vision to support people to live well and as independently as possible in their own communities.

Rachel said: “We’re all embedded in different regions of Oxfordshire and when it’s clear a person would benefit from continued community support in their local area, we can put them in touch with groups and organisations on their doorstep.

“This could be anything from an Age UK Oxfordshire support group, all the way through to singing clubs and yoga sessions. As we can take the time to get to know people, we can really listen to what would offer them the most benefit.”

Age UK Oxfordshire’s team of support workers are an integral part of Oxfordshire’s Discharge to Assess programme, which also involves staff from Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, working together to identify the best way of supporting a patient to leave hospital safely and quickly.

The latest statistics show the programme has contributed to a reduced length of stay for patients in Oxfordshire, with people spending on average three fewer days in hospital than last year.

Reablement figures have also improved, with 73 per cent of people who head home through the Discharge to Assess programme regaining the levels of independence they experienced before going into hospital.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Oxfordshire’s health and social care teams are working closely together to support people to leave hospital quickly and safely, easing hospital flow and offering the best health outcomes for residents.

“While we rightly praise the doctors, nurses and social workers, who support people to be discharged from hospital to head back home, Age UK Oxfordshire’s discharge support workers and community link workers are a crucial and often unsung hero of the team.

“People like Lynn and Rachel spend time to really get to know patients and build up important relationships to reduce anxiety and offer reassurance around what the future steps of a hospital stay might involve. This includes the crucial role around discharge which is now enabling 23 per cent more people to leave hospital compared to last year.

“Community link workers are absolutely essential to keeping our hospitals flowing and supporting people to recover at home.”

Paul Ringer, Chief Executive Officer of Age UK Oxfordshire, said: "Our community link workers play a crucial role in the hospital discharge process by ensuring that older adults receive the necessary support and resources to transition smoothly back into their homes.

“The support they provide not only helps to reduce readmission rates but also enhances the overall wellbeing of older people when returning to their home and community.”

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Discharge to Assess is a system partnership programme, involving staff from Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Age UK Oxfordshire, working together to identify the best way of supporting a patient to leave hospital safely and quickly.

The latest figures demonstrate it has enabled 23 per cent more people to leave hospital compared to last year. In October, this amounted to 657 people going home from hospital through Discharge to Assess.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Nobody wants to stay in hospital for longer than necessary. Indeed, for some of our older residents, remaining in hospital for longer than necessary can have a huge negative impact on their ability to regain their independence.

“By working closely with health partners and organisations such as Age UK Oxfordshire, we’ve developed a service that supports people to leave hospital more quickly, enabling them to continue their recovery in familiar surroundings.

“It’s an important part of our Oxfordshire Way vision, to support people to live well and independently within their own communities.

“In the first year, statistics show Discharge to Assess is having a positive effect for our residents while freeing up hospital beds for those who need them most.”

The programme is based on national guidance and came into effect in November last year. It brings together experts in health and social care in Transfer of Care Hub meetings, which take place three times a day.

The team considers a plan for a patient to leave hospital, as well as any homecare support they might require, before they are well enough to go home, speeding up the discharge process.

By working with the person and their family, plans are then put in place to support them to leave hospital and return home as quickly as possible.

Tamsin Cater, Head of the Transfer of Care Hub at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This system is good news for all patients being admitted into hospital, and we’re really pleased with its progress. 

“The outcomes for people recovering in their own home are far better than staying in hospital unnecessarily, and we’ve been working hard with our health and social care partners to make this happen wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.”

Under the Discharge to Assess programme, people are offered short-term, immediate care on the day they get home through a council arranged care provider. This can range from a short care visit to short term overnight (live in) support.

This has significantly improved hospital flow, shortening the average length of stay in an acute hospital setting from eight days to five days. It has also reduced the need for as many short stay hub beds used by the system, as personalised support is now being arranged for people within their own homes.

For people returning home through Discharge to Assess, 73 per cent of people have gone on to reach full independence following a period of reablement.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “While it’s great to see the impact of Discharge to Assess on hospital flow, the real success is being seen in people’s homes.

“By supporting people back into a familiar environment, with all their home comforts, we can take a far more informed approach to the goals that someone wants to achieve. This enables more people than ever before to regain the levels of independence they had before going into hospital.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the difference the programme is making to people’s lives.”

Discharge to Assess forms part of the recently published Healthwatch Oxfordshire report, ‘People’s experiences of leaving hospital in Oxfordshire’, which praises the effective way that health and care professionals are working together to help more people to return home with the support they need.

The report identifies that many people had a positive experience of leaving hospital, and that the majority of people felt safe and happy to be home.

The document also includes some recommendations, including improvements around the continuity and quality of care experienced by patients, clearer communications for patients and carers, and better support and identification of unpaid carers.

The report goes on to recommend the continued close working relationship between health and social care partners to further improve the hospital discharge process.

Dan Leveson, Oxfordshire Place Director at Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, said: “It’s relatively early days for Discharge to Assess but we’re already seeing its benefits, helping people leave hospital more quickly, offering them an even better chance to regain their independence

“We recognise that improvements still need to be made to ensure everyone has a positive experience of being discharged from hospital.

“We thank Healthwatch Oxfordshire for the valuable insights we have gained from their report and look forward to continuing to work with health and social care partners to build on our early success.”

An executive summary of the Healthwatch Oxfordshire report, including responses from health and social care partners, can be found on the Healthwatch Oxfordshire website.

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The photo identification (ID) cards are being arranged through Carers Oxfordshire, a service provided by Action for Carers Oxfordshire with funding support from Oxfordshire County Council. They can help in a range of situations from collecting medication on someone else’s behalf to notifying the emergency services that someone depends on you.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Unpaid carers are a crucial part of our health and social care system and it’s only right that we look to support them wherever possible.

“Providing carers with a card, identifying their role in caring for another person, can significantly ease a person’s path to receiving the help they are entitled to, making everyday challenges less stressful.

“They also offer carers some reassurance that, should they need to receive emergency care themselves and are unable to communicate their caring role, the blue light services will be able to quickly see that another person relies on them and can take immediate steps to provide that additional support.”

The Carer ID cards are similar in size to a credit card, with a QR code which provides the phone number for the carer’s emergency contact and their GP surgery.

The cards can prove useful when a carer needs to accompany the person they support to medical appointments, when informing employers and teachers of an individual’s caring role, and when accessing social care support.

The ID cards can be particularly important if the person a carer supports is admitted to hospital. Once an unpaid carer is identified, where possible, hospital staff will make reasonable adjustments for the carer whilst the patient is on site, to allow them to maintain contact with the person they care for.

This can include access to the ward outside of the usual visiting hours, involvement in the patient’s care in hospital and being included in the discussions and consultations around that patient’s care, plans for their discharge and further support.

Additional support can also be provided to help alleviate the pressures on unpaid carers during a hospital admission, including ward staff working with catering teams to ensure that carers have something to eat and drink if they don’t have the time to look after themselves.

If the carer needs a hospital stay, the cards alert healthcare professionals that another person may require immediate support, sometimes at a different location. The QR code links to the details of an emergency contact number, helping hospital staff get in touch with a person who may be able to provide or arrange support while the primary carer receives hospital treatment.

The photo identification cards are an important part of the Oxfordshire all age unpaid carers strategy, which includes in its priorities an aim to better identify carers, to help them feel valued and to support them to live their lives to the full.

Juliet Cocks, Head of Service for Carers Oxfordshire, said: “Carer ID cards can help provide unpaid carers with that extra support that they are entitled to, often at a time when they need it most.

“While we have already provided a number of these cards to carers in Oxfordshire, we know there’s a significant amount of people who are undertaking a caring role but have not been formally identified.

“You are an unpaid carer if you have someone who relies on you to stay safe and well. They could be a neighbour, friend, family member or anyone else who cannot manage without your help.

“Unpaid carers don’t need to feel alone. These carers are doing something incredible, and we want them to feel noticed and supported. I’d urge anyone who thinks they may be an unpaid carer to reach out to us.”

Carer ID cards are available for free by applying through Carers Oxfordshire’s website.

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Staff from the county's hospitals, GP practices, social services, community health services, ambulance services, mental health services, and the voluntary sector are working together to provide safe, effective, and sustainable care for people across Oxfordshire.

Winter is a high pressure season for health and social care services, with the colder temperatures and harsher weather conditions leading to increased demands on GPs and emergency departments as flu season begins.

This means that health and social care staff working as 'Team Oxfordshire' is especially important.

Lisa Glynn, Interim Chief Operating Officer at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH), said: "Winter is the busiest season for health services – as temperatures drop, we see more respiratory illnesses like RSV and, of course, flu. After another busy year, the winter team's priority is to ensure that people who need medical treatment are able to access services to get the care they need.

"We all know that, more often than not, treatment closer to home is what’s best for patients – they can be looked after in a home setting, in familiar surroundings, and with their home comforts.

“As always, we’re working hard with our health and social care colleagues to get people safely home from hospital as quickly as possible, but also addressing the other end of the scale and preventing unnecessary hospital admissions.”

Emergency departments often see the highest demand in winter, and OUH colleagues have been working hard to improve performance this year.

Lisa added: "A variety of quality improvement initiatives in our emergency department have led to an improvement on our performance, but we still want people to remember that emergency departments are for genuine emergencies - if you need medical help but it's not urgent, then your local pharmacy, minor injuries unit, or GP will be best-placed to help you.

“If you are unsure where to go for help, contact NHS 111  who can provide advice and direct you to the best place for the care you need."

One of the best ways of keeping yourself and those around you well is to make sure you're up to date with your flu vaccination and COVID booster vaccination if you are in the groups these are recommended for.

Dr Ed Capo Bianco, an Oxfordshire GP, said: "It is important to keep yourself well this winter. Having a personal winter plan might include stocking up on the cold and flu medicines in your medicine cabinet at home, as well as thinking about other supplies that can help you manage if we have a cold snap.

“It is also important to make sure that if you do have a long-term condition like diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure, you take your prescribed medication and attend any review appointments that are due.

“If you do fall ill, you can get helpful advice from your local pharmacy or get in touch with 111 online or by phone. And don’t forget to download the NHS App, it has lots of advice on hundreds of conditions and can help you access health services.”

GP practices will contact those patients eligible for the free flu jab and COVID-19 booster to attend vaccination clinics which are taking place over the next few months in Oxfordshire.

More information on who is eligible for a free flu vaccination is available on the NHS website.

Alongside health care, Oxfordshire County Council’s social care team play an integral role in reducing hospital admissions, and supporting those who require a stay in hospital to get home as quickly as possible.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “Our Oxfordshire Way vision looks to support people to live well and independently within their own communities for as long as possible. This is achieved by working with partners in community and voluntary groups who, alongside us, are able to offer more personalised support closer to home.

“If a hospital admission is required, our discharge to assess model is helping to support more people to be discharged faster and safely with additional care arranged for their return home.

“This is not only good news for hospitals, reducing unnecessary stays, but crucially it’s great news for residents as people are regaining their independence faster and reducing their need for more formal long term care.”

The council’s Live Well Oxfordshire guide offers a wealth of information including details of community support groups, information for carers, and advice on staying independent and active in your local area.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides community physical health services and mental health services, including the county's out of hours GP service and minor injury units, Oxfordshire's community hospitals, the Oxfordshire NHS 24/7 mental health helpline, and health visiting and school nurse services.

Britta Klinck, Chief Nurse at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: "As we are moving towards the darkest and coldest part of the year, it’s important to think about preparing for winter, helping one another to support and look after our physical and mental health.

“If you, or someone you know, qualifies for vaccinations for flu or COVID it’s really important to take the opportunity. These vaccinations help to protect vulnerable people, so I am really keen as many people as possible get them.

"Oxford Health colleagues work hard to support people to stay healthy, live well, and thrive, whether that's providing clinical care at home or via our community hospitals, countywide district nursing teams, school nursing service, or help through our mental health teams.

"If you are an adult or young person struggling with your mental wellbeing, NHS help is at hand with the Oxfordshire NHS 24-hour mental health helpline via NHS 111 online. You can also look up Oxfordshire Talking Therapies online."

Last winter, South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) attended over 216,000 emergency 999 incidents, of which just over 73 per cent were for category one or category two emergencies – the highest category of calls for the most seriously ill or injured patients.

Mark Ainsworth, Executive Director of Operations at SCAS, said: “The arrival of winter and cold weather always sees increased pressure on NHS services across the board, and the ambulance service is no different.

“Cold weather exacerbates many pre-existing health conditions and can lead to more 999 calls and more patients having to spend time in hospital. We will always focus our ambulance teams on our most seriously ill and injured patients – the category one and category two emergencies.

“Whilst we aim to get to all other patients within two to three hours, there may be times this winter when that will not be possible, and those patients may experience much longer waits at peak periods.

“That’s why we continue to urge the public to only call 999 if you, or someone you’re with, is suffering a life threatening or serious emergency that requires immediate treatment and you are unable to get yourself to hospital or other treatment centre.

“If it’s not an emergency, people should use the NHS 111 service by going online at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111. Whether you use the online or telephone service, you just need to answer a few questions about your main symptoms to get the help and advice you need, including a call back from a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional if required.”

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West Vale Mobility has been developed by Shrivenham Parish Council, with funding support from Oxfordshire County Council’s community transport grants and section 106 contributions.

They have also received support from the council funded Community Catalyst programme, which helps to develop care and support opportunities in the local area.

The new service will help transport residents from Shrivenham, Bourton, Watchfield, Longcot and Ashbury to their local health and wellbeing services, including appointments at Elmtree GP surgery and clinics at Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Our Oxfordshire Way vision looks to support people to live well and independently within their own communities.

“While many Oxfordshire residents live in larger urban areas, which are well connected, our more rural areas are not always as well served.

“That’s where community transport plays a key role in filling the gaps where public transport isn’t as readily available.”

Run by a team of volunteers, West Vale Mobility will pick up its first scheduled passengers on Monday (14 October). The service is available to book a week in advance with a minimum fuel donation of £5 per journey. This compares to a minimum taxi fare of around £17 from Shrivenham to the hospital in Swindon.

Any resident in the parishes of Shrivenham, Bourton, Watchfield, Longcot and Ashbury can make use of the service, although priority is given to wheelchair users.

The programme has been made possible by £18,000 funding from the council’s community transport grants as well as an additional £32,000 from section 106 contributions, ringfenced for local transport provision.

The funding has enabled West Vale Mobility to purchase an adapted Renault Traffic van, designed to transport a passenger in their wheelchair as well as additional people who may be supporting them during their appointment.

If their wheelchair is not up to transport safety standards, West Vale Mobility can provide a wheelchair for the duration of the journey, with enough space to carry their personal mobility chair in the back. 

West Vale Mobility also benefited from support offered by Community Catalysts, a programme funded by Oxfordshire County Council that helps groups and individuals to establish care and support opportunities in the local area.

Anita Wingad, Community Enterprise Catalyst for Oxfordshire, said: “I feel so excited and pleased for the team that are about to launch the scheme. They have worked hard to get the right vehicle and all the processes in place for a quality service.

“Local residents who are struggling with transport to help their health and wellbeing will benefit immensely from the wonderful community spirit and drive that all involved have and continue to demonstrate.”

Ian Bailey is a trustee of West Vale Mobility and said: “It’s been a long road getting this project off the ground and we couldn’t have done it without the support of several local groups and organisations.

“First and Last Mile community transport helped with training our drivers, while Faringdon Community Transport offered advice on things like insurance and scheduling. We are sharing our offices with Sustainable Shrivenham who have given us support with the administrative side of the project.

“We’ve also been given ongoing guidance from Anita at Community Catalysts, connecting us with other volunteer organisations and offering support on policies, safeguarding, promotion and marketing.

“It really is a team effort and we’re looking forward to our programme making a real difference to our communities.”

Bookings are now being taken by emailing bookings.westvalemobility@gmail.com

Community transport is part of the voluntary sector and plays a key role in filling gaps in service where public transport is not available. It helps provide safe, accessible, cost-effective, flexible transport run by the community for the community in rural and urban areas.

Community transport can include car clubs, community minibuses, dial-a-ride, lift shares, taxi shares and voluntary car schemes.

More information is available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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Oxfordshire Employment is an important arm of the council’s adult social care services, giving adults who may have previously struggled to find a job the opportunity to gain vital work experience and support them to find and retain stable employment.

The good rating is a new standard awarded through the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF), which has been created to help drive continuous improvement across the sector.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "Oxfordshire Employment offers huge value for adults with additional needs, supporting them to live well and independently through meaningful employment opportunities.

“By securing and retaining a job, individuals gain a real sense of achievement, being part of a workforce and living as independently as possible. It’s great news that the service has been graded good under the new accreditation system and I look forward to it supporting even more people as it continues to grow.”

Oxfordshire County Council is one of the first organisations to go through the new assessment. The process involved two days of onsite audits and included the submission of more than 150 pieces of supportive evidence.

The assessors spoke with a range of customers, employers and partners, as well as county council staff.

Oxfordshire Employment plays an important part in the council’s Oxfordshire Way vision to support people to live well and independently, within their own communities for as long as possible.

It is also part of the council’s commitment to working with local businesses and partners for environmental, economic and social benefit. The programme adds significant social value while helping to diversify the local job market.

The council has been providing supported employment for almost 80 years.

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Occupational therapists from County Council’s adult social care team are working with experts from University College London (UCL) and the Oxford Robotics Institute (ORI), University of Oxford, on the innovative research which uses robots to take the place of a person being assessed, programmed to take on different life like characteristics and health concerns.

It's part of a five year partnership between Oxfordshire County Council's Innovation Service and ORI, helping to design the future of cutting edge technology in adult social care.  

The groundbreaking work will offer a greater understanding about the way different people experience being touched and manoeuvred, helping occupational therapists to develop their skills and improve assessments for residents.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Our occupational therapists play an important role in our Oxfordshire Way vision by supporting people to live well and independently within their own homes.

“We’ve had an opportunity to work with world renowned institutions, giving our occupational therapists access to innovative technology that gives them greater confidence in how they carry out their vital work and supports our residents to have a better experience during physical assessments.”

Occupational therapy is an important role within adult social care. Occupational therapists are often the first people to come into contact with residents who need additional support from the council to live well in their own homes.

Their varied and multi-skilled role enables them to make important initial assessments about how a person is experiencing physical and cognitive challenges. They can also recommend improvements within their homes to help support them to continue to live independently.

An important part of the assessment happens through physical interactions to assess a patient’s mobility and posture. Understanding more about the way their touch impacts the people they support can have significant benefits for both the resident and occupational therapist.

In addition to this, the research by UCL and ORI also aims to look at how touch can be used as an effective method of non-verbal communication, something known as ‘affective touch’, to soothe a patient or convey support. 

Nadia Berthouze, Professor in Affective Computing and Interaction at UCL, said: "We are adopting a user-centred approach in designing this innovative technology, collaborating closely with occupational therapists to ensure the solution is tailored to their needs and enhances training effectiveness."

Here comes the science

Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council through the Embodied Intelligence: From Sensing to Collaboration programme grant, experts at UCL and ORI have built a robot and accompanying software with an array of sensors, capable of recreating a patient’s physical health profile and behaviour, to provide standardised training platforms for the occupational therapists.

By capturing this occupational therapist-patient interaction in a more scientific way, the data provides a way of measuring and capturing nuanced, hard to describe interactions, with the goal of improving the occupational therapy training process overall.

The programme has been running for two years, from the initial objectives around further understanding the role of touch, to the most recent development of a mannequin-like robot. This can be programmed to simulate various medical conditions such as arthritis and dementia.

Perla Maiolino, Associate Professor of Engineering Science at the Oxford Robotics Institute, said: “The development of a robotic platform, capable of precisely capturing very gentle, as well as more forceful interactions, while providing a realistic feel and semblance, has required the use of state-of-the-art technology for sensing, actuation and control.

“The ability of the sensors to respond quickly to small touch, features challenging requirements of the application, which are crucial for correctly estimating contact area and, in future, performing gesture recognition.

“The ability to easily alter every control parameter, including sensitivity to pain in the sensorised areas, makes the robot a versatile and adaptable training tool for rapidly and accurately testing different scenarios, while also maintaining repeatability.”

The future

The robot mannequin, called Mona by the research team, is now ready to be used by occupational therapists as a training platform.

During this time, it will gather important information on the use of functional and affective touch, which will be analysed by the experts at UCL and the ORI to further develop the ability of the robots to accurately replicate patient’s real life conditions.

The ultimate scientific goal of the programme is to understand the more nuanced uses of the sense of touch, which is the first sense to develop in newborn babies, to create robots that can better collaborate with humans for a better, more-sustainable future.

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Oxfordshire County Council will relaunch its community capacity grants and connected communities fund for 2024/25 on Monday 16 September, with the overall pot now standing at £525,000.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Community groups in Oxfordshire are one of our most valuable assets that support people to live well and independently in their own community.

“On the surface, they offer an enjoyable hobby or place to get together and socialise. But underneath they’re providing day to day support for people who might otherwise suffer from isolation and poor health. The simple activity of going to these groups can make a huge difference for someone, enabling them to live happily and independently at home.

“We don’t underestimate the value of these groups. They are the lifeblood of our Oxfordshire Way vision and we want to make sure they are supported to continue to do their essential work.”

The funding is split into two areas. The connected communities fund offers groups faster access to grants of up to £5,000 and is administered by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action and Community First Oxfordshire.

The second is the larger community capacity grant fund that will consider applications from organisations looking for £5,000 to £20,000. Administered by Oxfordshire Community Foundation, this programme is for more established organisations to enable them to significantly enhance the work they do.

Due to the sizeable sums of money involved in the community capacity grants scheme and the high number of applicants, requests are subject to an assessment panel and generally have a lower chance of receiving funding compared to the connected communities fund.

Community groups may only apply for one grant. Simultaneous requests to both funds will not be accepted.

Connected communities fund

Last year, Charlbury community workshop received £2,750 through the connected communities fund, helping it to officially launch the centre and budget for its running costs for the next 12 months.

David Court, Chairman of Charlbury Community Workshop, said: “The money we received through the connected communities fund has had a massive impact on getting us to where we are now. We can operate safely and invite even more members of our community to come along and find out what we’re all about.”

 Last year, 62 groups benefited from the connected communities fund, each receiving a share of £175,000.

The application window for the connected communities fund will open on Monday 16 September and will remain open until all the money has been distributed.

Larger community capacity grants

Alternatively, organisations looking for more than £5,000 can apply to the larger community capacity grants fund, offering access to up to £20,000 of the total £341,250 pot.

Last year, 24 organisations received a share of £325,000 from the community capacity fund. Around 100 eligible organisations applied. Oxfordshire Community Foundation was able to find a further £83,000 from other generous donors to fund an additional six organisations.

Cholsey Volunteers received £12,500 from the council’s larger grants programme last year, enabling them to enhance their service for residents. This included the development of a community larder and food bank as well as a new Cholsey Welcome Space for villagers to meet and socialise.

Jane Tyndall, Development Officer with Cholsey Volunteers, said: “We are enormously grateful for the financial support we have received through the council’s community capacity grants.

“This has not just helped us to survive and grow but has enabled us to become what seems like a permanent fixture in the village and encouraged a huge number of ‘can do’ people to get involved. The village is a far richer place for it.”

The application process for these larger grants takes more time, with proposals being considered by a panel from Oxfordshire Community Foundation in November.

Details of the fund are now available, with organisations being asked to submit their application between Monday 16 September and Monday 14 October, when they will then be assessed. 

How to apply

Organisations looking to apply for up to £5,000 through the connected communities fund, alongside additional support from Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action and Community First Oxfordshire, can find more information online.

Groups hoping for an amount between £5,000 and £20,000 can apply online to Oxfordshire Community Foundation.

More details, including the specific criteria and tips for a successful application can be found at oxfordshire.gov.uk/CommunityCapacityGrant

Funded by Oxfordshire County Council and supported by partners including Cherwell District Council and Bicester Town Council, the project puts residents in touch with a local area coordinator who helps them to navigate the wealth of support available in the community, with a view to improving their wellbeing.

Tamsin Ireland is the new Local Area Coordinator for east Bicester and said: “Bicester has a number of amazing community and voluntary organisations, all having a hugely positive impact on their members and the people they support.

“But sometimes people struggle to know what’s available to them and how to get involved. That’s where local area coordinators come in. We take the time to really get to know people, learning more about them and empowering them to take control of their lives, make informed decisions, and build resilience.

“I would urge anyone in east Bicester who feels they would benefit from less formal, community-based support to get in touch. Together we can find something that’s right for them.”

Local people and organisations have been actively involved in the development of the programme, including the recruitment of the local area coordinator themselves, ensuring the selected person is well-suited.

A local area coordinator can meet anyone in their designated zone, which is kept deliberately small in size to enable more valuable interactions for the people involved. No referral is needed and there are no time limits or barriers to access the support.

They help people to identify and achieve their vision of a better life, often by exploring less formal solutions to any challenges or concerns they might be experiencing.

The local area coordinator can also support local groups and people who wish to start their own activities and help people get involved.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “There’s a huge range of community organisations in Oxfordshire that offer support in a variety of ways. From workshops to singing groups, there’s something for everyone and they are all valued members of our Oxfordshire Way partnership.

“But it’s sometimes difficult for people to identify exactly what’s out there and how to get involved, especially when they’re suffering from conditions such as anxiety and depression.

“Local area coordinators can help. By listening to residents and taking the time to really understand their situation, people like Tamsin can enable them to find the best solutions to the difficulties they might be facing.”

Tamsin Ireland is now available for a face to face introduction by contacting her by email at tamsin.ireland@oxfordshire.gov.uk or by calling 07745 208215

There are further plans for similar positions in Kidlington and Didcot later this year.

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Cholsey Volunteers received £12,500 from the council’s larger grants programme last year. Grants awarded are designed to support the adult social care Oxfordshire Way vision of enabling people to live happily and independently within their own communities, remaining fit and healthy for as long as possible.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "It’s great to see residents coming together to make use of this significant council funding, building community resilience and supporting each other.

“Due to the large sums of money made available through the community capacity grants, groups and organisations like the Cholsey Volunteers are able to make a considerable difference to the lives of people living in the local area.”

In contrast to the council’s smaller connected communities fund, which offers local groups quick access to funding of up to £5,000, the community capacity grants give organisations the opportunity to apply for up to £20,000.

The funding pot is administered by Oxfordshire Community Foundation and given the large sums of money involved, the application process is complex, involving an assessment panel to decide who is successful.

For Cholsey Volunteers, last year’s funding has enabled them to enhance their service for residents, including the development of a community larder and food bank as well as a new Cholsey Welcome Space for villagers to meet and socialise.

The grant has also enabled them to increase the amount of people they support, with their hospital driver service providing 100 more lifts in the last year. Their meal delivery service has also seen a 46 per cent increase in the number of people they support, sharing out 2,600 meals, 1,560 treat bags and 1,976 food boxes in the last year.

Jane Tyndall, Development Officer with Cholsey Volunteers, said: “We are enormously grateful for the financial support we have received through the council’s community capacity grants.

“This has not just helped us to survive and grow but has enabled us to become what seems like a permanent fixture in the village and encouraged a huge number of ‘can do’ people to get involved. The village is a far richer place for it.”

Find out more about Cholsey Volunteers, including how to get involved, on its website.

More information about the support offered by Oxfordshire Community Foundation can be found online.

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Tom’s life changed last year. After having a stroke, subsequent seizures led to him being diagnosed with vascular dementia. But since joining Abingdon CSS, Tom has been supported to achieve his life goals, including scaling a climbing wall at this summer’s J-Fest in Faringdon.

Tom joined the community support centre in July and said: “I’ve met up with a lot of new people and it feels like one big family, I feel welcome as soon as I get in the door. I enjoy the singing group and reminiscing about back in the day.”

Staff at Abingdon CSS are encouraged to think creatively about how they can support people who use the service, guided by the council’s Oxfordshire Way vision to enable residents to live happily and independently within their own communities.

One of Tom’s ambitions was to attend a music festival, so when the opportunity to go to the accessible J-Fest in Farringdon came up, the support service’s coordinator asked him if he wanted go and he immediately signed up.

As well as enjoying the live music, with the support of his family, Tom decided to tackle the climbing wall, making it all the way to the top. He is already looking forward to next year’s event!

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "Our community support centres are a vital service for adults with physical and learning disabilities, mental health concerns and older care needs including dementia.

"Our knowledgeable staff offer person-centred support, listening to the people who use the service, providing real benefits for them and their families. It’s great to hear the difference Abingdon CSS is making to Tom’s life.”

Tom’s wife and carer, Jan Furze, said: “Attending Abingdon CSS has given Tom some freedom from me and restarted his social life. It gives me peace of mind to know he is safe and being looked after. It gives us conversation for when he gets home and means I have some time for myself too.

“As well as attending J Fest, Tom also enjoyed a concert at Dorchester Abbey where I was very kindly welcomed alongside him. Tom enjoys chatting to the carers when they go out for tea and visit local garden centres. It’s lovely that the carers always ask how I am too. Having access to the centre really has made the world of difference to our lives.”

More information about Oxfordshire County Council’s seven community support centres can be found on the Live Well Oxfordshire website.

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The new community hub officially opened in April this year and supports the health and wellbeing of local residents by bringing them together to craft, recycle and repurpose second hand items, giving members a sense of belonging and purpose.

Last year’s council grant has enabled trustees and volunteers from Charlbury community workshop to officially launch the centre and budget for its running costs for the next 12 months.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "Charlbury community workshop is an excellent example of our Oxfordshire Way in action. The centre supports people to live happily and independently within their own communities, helping to prevent ill health brought on through loneliness and inactivity.

“These smaller grants provided through the council’s connected communities fund can have a massive impact when used in such a positive and innovative way and I congratulate the team in Charlbury for all that they have achieved.”

Since opening its doors in April, the workshop has been running three sessions per week for people looking to hone their skills in soft crafts, including fabrics, sewing and crochet, and hard crafts such as woodwork and bench repairs.

The financial stability secured following the successful grant application has enabled the trustees and members to plan for the future, with a focus of extending the workshop’s reach to even more people.

David Court, Chairman of Charlbury Community Workshop, said: “The money we received through the connected communities fund has had a massive impact on getting us to where we are now. We can operate safely and invite even more members of our community to come along and find out what we’re all about.”

While the funding has been provided by Oxfordshire County Council, the connected communities fund is managed by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) and Community First Oxfordshire.

OCVA and Community First are experts in the local community and voluntary sector and their grants plus programme not only administers the finances of the connected communities fund but also offers advice and support to help the money go as far as possible.

Laura Price, CEO of Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, said: “This accessible and flexible approach to funding activity has enabled us to offer bespoke support around the different needs of communities.

“Small amounts of funding can have a huge impact, giving more people more choice about how they can stay healthy, happy and connected across our county. It’s also great to build lasting relationships with groups who might come back to us for help with volunteer recruitment or training needs.”

Emily Lewis-Edwards, co-CEO of Community First Oxfordshire, said: “We thank Oxfordshire County Council for continuing to build the relationship with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, treating them as an equal partner and trusting their experience and knowledge to place small and accessible funds with community groups and organisations that make a real difference for people in their communities and neighbourhoods.”

“The connected communities fund is a great example of collaboration work at its best.”

Find out more about Charlbury community workshop, including how to get involved, on its website.

More information about the support offered by OCVA and Community First can be found online, and through the Community First webpage.

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The adult learning disability short break programme has been developed hand in hand with people who draw on the service, as well as their families and carers, through a process called coproduction. It will offer traditional building-based stays as well as more flexible community-based solutions.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Caring for loved ones can be extremely rewarding but it can also be tiring work. Short breaks is an important service commissioned by the council, offering adults with learning disabilities some additional support in a different environment while giving carers the chance to rest and recharge.

“By working with people who draw on the service, we’ve heard that our traditional building-based option isn’t right for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a more flexible, hybrid system, giving people the opportunity to choose what’s right for them”.

With the support of organisations including My Life, My Choice and Oxfordshire Family Support Network, the adults’ short breaks service has been completely redesigned, helping to put people with learning disabilities in control of their support options.

Building-based stays will still be available and by reducing the number of properties from four to three, the council can increase the outreach offer and flexibility of the service to more individuals. There will be refurbishments made to the three facilities, where the decisions around the future improvements, including the design and décor, will be made with the adults who use the service.

Running alongside this, a new option will be available offering support in line with the council’s Oxfordshire Way vision to support more people to live well and independently within their own communities.

By listening to the people and carers who use the short breaks service, the council has committed to further strengthening the relationships people have found closer to home, giving people access to services which provide the greatest value to them. This includes daytime and outreach support which can be delivered at home or in the community.

Gail Hanrahan, Programme Manager at Oxfordshire Family Support Network, said: “We are pleased to have been part of coproducing and codesigning the adult short breaks service, which we hope will offer greater choice and flexibility for the families we support and their loved ones.”

Oxfordshire County Council will begin the refurbishment of the building-based services shortly, with a view to having all the improvements made by spring 2025. Due to a reduction in the number of people using building-based stays, it will be possible to continue running this service from the additional buildings while the refurbishments are taking place.

The council will begin the process of inviting organisations to bid to provide the new services, with the contract due to start in April 2025. The current service will continue unchanged until that point.

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The health and social care connections roadshow will be hosted by the local NHS – led by Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) – in partnership with the county council, which is responsible for the provision of statutory adult social care services.

Working with partners including Age UK Oxfordshire, the Oxfordshire Play Association and Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action, the roadshow will visit a range of pre-existing community events, as well as smaller gatherings, to have conversations with people about their experience of health and care services in the county.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “The way that health and social care is being delivered in the county is changing. The council’s adult social care services and local NHS work as one ‘Team Oxfordshire’, helping to support more people to live as independently as possible, closer to home. It’s something we call the Oxfordshire Way.

“We’re committed to getting out and about this summer, visiting as many residents as possible, listening to their experiences and learning from them to help develop a system that’s fit for the future.”

As well as hearing from residents, senior leaders will be offering an insight into the future of health and social care, including talking through the newer services being delivered closer to home. These include:

• Discharge to Assess – a programme that supports people to return home from hospital as soon as they are medically fit to do so, including the provision of immediate support at home to help with a person’s continued recovery.
• Hospital at Home – providing clinical support, that was traditionally only available in a hospital setting, in a person’s home.
• Urgent Community Response – a combination of services providing urgent care at home rather than going to A&E.
• Integrated Neighbourhood Teams – bringing traditional services from primary and secondary care, including GPs, pharmacies and mental health services, together with social care providers and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, making sure there is coordinated, patient-centred care to support people safely at home.

Dan Leveson, Place Director for Oxfordshire at Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, said: “We know that change can be difficult, but we also know from our positive experience with engagement around Wantage Community Hospital, that taking the time to meet the public and listen to them makes a real difference.

“These community engagement events are a real priority for us this summer and I look forward to meeting as many people as possible to talk about health and social care.”

An up to date list of places where the health and social care connections roadshow is visiting can be found on the BOB ICB webpage.

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Funded by Oxfordshire County Council, with support from local partners including the city and district councils, local area coordinators are based in communities and are available to connect with residents, guiding them to find local resources that might make a difference to their lives.

Cheryl Huntbach (pictured) is the first Oxfordshire local area coordinator to take up their post, covering Chipping Norton. 

Cheryl said: “Oxfordshire has a wealth of amazing community and voluntary organisations, all having a huge positive impact on their members and people they support.

“But sometimes people struggle to know what’s available to them and how to get involved. That’s where local area coordinators come in. As we’re embedded in communities, we can take the time to really get to know people, learning more about them and helping them to find groups and organisations that are right for them.”

A local area coordinator is a community-based worker and can meet anyone for any reason through a simple introduction. No referral is needed and there are no time limits or barriers to access the support.

By working closely with people, families, carers, groups and local services, the local area coordinator will help people identify and achieve their vision of a better life, often by finding and planning less formal solutions to any challenges or concerns they might be experiencing.

The local area coordinator can also support local groups and people who wish to start their own activities and help people get involved.

Local people and organisations have been actively involved in the development of this approach and the recruitment of the local area coordinator themselves, ensuring the selected person is well-suited.

Oxfordshire’s programme is being rolled out gradually, with another local area coordinator starting in east Bicester next month, and further plans for positions in Kidlington and Didcot later this year.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “One of our key objectives is to support more people to live happy, independent lives within their own communities – it’s something we call The Oxfordshire Way.

“Local area coordinators can help us make this vision a reality. By walking side by side with people and listening to them to understand what might make a real difference, our local area coordinators can support residents to understand what’s available on their doorstep, tapping into the amazing resources in their area.

“By putting residents in the driving seat and giving them the power to find the best solutions to the difficulties they might be facing, we can help prevent more complex challenges from developing in the future.”

For residents living in Chipping Norton, Cheryl Huntbach is now available for a face to face introduction by contacting her by email at cheryl.huntbach@oxfordshire.gov.uk or by calling 07789088173.

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After 30 years, with retirement on the horizon, Sue was honoured at last week’s Oxfordshire Care Awards, winning the trophy for long service.

Sue joined Shared Lives back in 1993 alongside her late husband Tim. The scheme is run by Oxfordshire County Council and matches caring households with adults who have additional care needs, offering them a place to stay and grow their independence.

In that time, Sue has supported more than 30 people, welcoming them into her home and offering them any additional support that they might need.

Sue was nominated for the long service award by Kerry Coleman. Kerry works in Oxfordshire County Council’s Shared Lives team to support people involved in the programme.

Kerry said: “Sue has a big heart and encourages everyone who she supports to be as independent as they can be, but she knows when to step in and help when they need it.”

“Sue has dedicated just over 30 years of her life to being a Shared Lives carer and I feel she deserves the award as she has done such a fantastic job with great humour and grace.”

Sue and her family have featured in a number of campaigns encouraging other people to become Shared Lives carers. Her son and daughter in law, Sam and Abbie Clayton, are also part of the programme.

The scheme is an important part of the council’s Oxfordshire Way vision to support people to live well and independently within their own communities for as long as possible.

Sue said: “It’s been an interesting 30 years! I would recommend this to other people, and I often do. It’s kept me young! I would urge even more people to come forward and get involved.”

As Sue now takes a step back from the Shared Lives scheme and enjoys her retirement, Oxfordshire County Council is looking for more people to join the programme.

Shared Lives carers come from all walks of life, from different backgrounds and live in all kinds of homes. You can earn up to £500 a week by supporting someone at home and fit it around your life and work commitments.

If you think you could support an adult with additional needs, you can find out more about the programme at oxfordshire.gov.uk/sharedlives or calling 01865 897971

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People from the community and voluntary sector, statutory and independent care providers, as well as unpaid carers were recognised at the Oxfordshire Care Awards.

The awards are an annual event, organised by Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers (OACP) with support from Action for Carers Oxfordshire, Age UK Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire County Council.

Staff and volunteers working with Wallingford based care providers, Style Acre, took home five awards, including Gemma Elliot (pictured below) receiving the Front Line Leaders Award and Olwen Barlow winning the Volunteer Award for her work at Wantage Market Garden.

The Care Team Award was given to Daybreak Oxfordshire, a charity specialising in providing activities for people with dementia, while offering some well-deserved respite for carers.

Shared Lives carer, Sue Clayton received the Long Service Award for her dedication to the scheme run by Oxfordshire County Council that matches caring households with adults who have additional care needs, offering them a place to stay and grow their independence.

Alongside the awards themselves, to celebrate ten years of OACP, the day included an information event for nominees and guests to learn more about the county’s care sector. It also gave care providers the opportunity to network with other organisations to share their ideas and experiences.

Eddy McDowall, CEO of Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers, said: “It’s always a huge privilege to be involved in the Oxfordshire Care Awards. The awards give the whole community a chance to pause, focus and reflect, and thank the hard working people in our industry, celebrating those moments where people go above and beyond what’s expected.”

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Adult Social Care, said: “The Oxfordshire Care Awards are one of the highlights of the year. By celebrating the very best carers in Oxfordshire, we get the opportunity to really reflect on what our industry is all about – the people who are making a difference on a daily basis to other people’s lives. It’s been an honour to take part in the event and celebrate the achievements of Oxfordshire’s carers.”

Andrew Lane, Chair of Trustees for both Age UK Oxfordshire and Action for Carers Oxfordshire, said: “It has been a pleasure being part of the Oxfordshire Care Awards, celebrating the fantastic care provided by such wonderful people in Oxfordshire. It’s so important to recognise the contribution that care workers, volunteers and unpaid carers make to our local communities.”

The full list of winners and those highly commended are:

Newcomer to Care Award:

• Winner: Semukeliso Sithole - Countywide Caring Ltd
• Highly commended: Jo Adamson - Style Acre

The Care Home Worker Award

• Winner: Hannah Kirby - Launton Grange Care Home
• Highly commended: Esther Kariuki - Autism at Kingwood

The Unpaid Carer Award

• Winner: Karen Hynds
• Highly commended: Roger Ridler

The Volunteer Award

• Winner: Olwen Barlow - Style Acre
• Highly commended: Andy Willis - Banburyshire Advice Centre

The Frontline Leaders Award

• Winner: Gemma Elliot - Style Acre 
• Highly commended: Kam Gill - Walfinch Oxfordshire

The Home Care Worker Award

• Winner: Chris Woodley - Style Acre
• Highly commended: Caroline Sibanda - Oxford Private Care

International Recruitment Award

• Winner: Autism at Kingwood
• Highly commended: Stuart Martin - SureCare Oxfordshire

The Care Team Award

• Winner: Daybreak Oxfordshire
• Highly commended: Home Hospice Care Team (HHCT)

The Long‐Term Service Award

• Winner: Sue Clayton - Shared Live Scheme
• Highly commended: Katy Michalek - Mumby's Live-in Care

The Inspiration Award

• Winner: Maymessy Cookery School
• Highly commended: Shelley Ward - Godswell Park Care Home

Digital Social Care Hero Award

• Winner: Barbra Hayers - Trinity Carers Services Ltd
• Highly commended: Lorraine Green - The Chiltern Centre. 

Josie’s Award

• Winner: Lisa-Marie Betteridge - Style Acre
• Highly commended: Georgia Mace - PBS4 Ltd

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As part of Carers Week with the theme ‘putting carers on the map’, Oxfordshire County Council, together with Carers Oxfordshire, is highlighting the package of support available to carers, to help them continue to undertake the invaluable work they do.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “Unpaid carers contribute enormously to our health and social care system by providing personalised support to people close to them.

“However, because of the special relationship they might have – perhaps being a family member or close friend – they often don’t consider themselves as having a formal caring role and might be unaware of the range of support entitled to them.

“This Carers Week, I would encourage anyone who has an unpaid caring role in Oxfordshire to take a moment to stop and check what might be available to them, helping to support them to continue to do their vital role.”

There is financial, practical, and emotional support available to unpaid carers, much of which is provided by Carers Oxfordshire, a partnership between Action for Carers Oxfordshire and Rethink Mental Illness, with funding support from Oxfordshire County Council.

Carers Oxfordshire provides specialist support to help unpaid carers to find solutions that can make caring easier, including:

·       CarersLine – the team is available to listen and help Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.

·       Carer assessments – identifying any help unpaid carers may be eligible to receive.

·       Support groups – where carers can talk to others who may understand.

·       Carer ID – to prove carer status and access support and discounts.

·       Time for you – a range of offers to give unpaid carers time for themselves.

Unpaid carers, and those they care for, may also be entitled to a range of financial support, with many unpaid carers qualifying for carer’s allowance. There is a cap on benefits in some circumstances, so carers are advised to check the criteria first.

Carer’s allowance is a weekly payment of £81.90 for people who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone in receipt of certain benefits. They must also earn £151 or less a week, after tax, National Insurance and expenses. Carer’s allowance is a complex benefit that overlaps with some payments, such as the state pension. Claiming it can affect the benefits of the person being cared for if the person providing support does not live with them. In these circumstances, it’s important to get specific advice before applying. For information visit gov.uk/carers-allowance or call 0800 731 0297.

Juliet Cocks, Head of Service for Carers Oxfordshire, said: “You are an unpaid carer if you have someone who relies on you to stay safe and well. They could be a neighbour, friend, family member or anyone else who cannot manage without your help.

“At Carers Oxfordshire we’d love more people to come forward and identify themselves as unpaid carers so that we can let them know what is available and provide appropriate support.

“Unpaid carers don’t need to feel alone. These carers are doing something incredible, and we want them to feel noticed and supported. I’d urge anyone who thinks they may be an unpaid carer to reach out to us.”

More information about the support available to unpaid carers can be found on the Carers Oxfordshire website. 

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Dementia Oxfordshire, a service provided by Age UK Oxfordshire with funding support from Oxfordshire County Council, has worked with a group of experts by experience who are living with the condition, to devise post-diagnostic education sessions for people who have recently had a diagnosis of dementia.

Melissa Spearman, Dementia Oxfordshire’s education lead, said: “Being told you have dementia can be a really difficult time, and we wanted to show people that there are lots of ways to live well with dementia.

“One of the most important lessons we learned from our experts by experience was that people with a diagnosis need time to talk and sharing experiences is a vital step to feeing that you are not alone.

“We also use the expertise of people who are living with dementia, as well as the lived experience of their carers, to include practical examples of how to make life easier, whether that’s using simple memory prompts, rearranging the kitchen so everyday tasks are easier, or utilising technology to help.

“But perhaps even more importantly, we encourage people with a dementia diagnosis to recognise the fact that they are still the same person they were, to encourage them to stay as independent as possible and to talk openly about what they are going through.”

Glenn Fletcher, a longstanding member of the experts by experience group, was diagnosed with dementia four years ago. He delivers the post-diagnostic sessions alongside Dementia Oxfordshire’s advisers.

Glenn said: “The best advice I can give anyone who is living with dementia is don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s too easy to pull yourself down and think ‘I am not what I was’. Having dementia means you just have less capacity to do certain things. You will do things like before, but not quite the same. Peripheral elements may be missing but don’t be too frightened by that.”

Anyone in Oxfordshire with a recent diagnosis of dementia is welcome to attend an education session. They form an important part of the county council’s Oxfordshire Way vision, to support people to live well and independently within their own communities for as long as possible.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “Our partnership with Dementia Oxfordshire and Age UK Oxfordshire offers residents the best possible support, closer to home. The new sessions are delivered by people who have extensive experience of dementia and are well placed to give relevant, clear advice and support at a time when people need it most."

The sessions are taking place at various venues across the county and also online. Full details can be found on the Dementia Oxfordshire website.

The experts by experience group has also worked with the Dementia Oxfordshire team to produce a new booklet entitled ‘A Straightforward Guide to Dementia’ with lots of easily understandable advice and recommendations. The guide is given out free of charge at the education sessions and can be downloaded from the Dementia Oxfordshire website.

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Organised by Dementia Oxfordshire – a service provided by Age UK Oxfordshire with funding support from Oxfordshire County Council – the Bike and Banter sessions welcome adults who have been diagnosed with dementia before the age of 65, supporting them to stay active and independent on their bikes.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to deliver social care support closer to home, enabling people to live well and independently within their own communities. It’s something we call The Oxfordshire Way.

“Dementia Oxfordshire’s Bike and Banter event is a great example of this in action, offering practical support as well as an opportunity to come together and share experiences with other people going through similar things.”

As part of Dementia Action Week, Dementia Oxfordshire’s young onset dementia team welcomed 20 people from across the county to take part in a morning of pedal power at the Horspath Athletics and Sports Ground in Oxford.

Experts from CyclAbility, a not-for-profit community interest company, were also on hand to offer training to the group, helping the participants to stay safe on their bikes.

Young onset dementia adviser, Lisa Inglis, said: “When someone has a diagnosis of young onset dementia, they often think that they have to give up some of the things they really enjoy, but often that’s not the case.

“Cycling is such a big part of Oxford’s culture, and many of the people we support have enjoyed cycling for many years. CyclAbility’s expertise in making cycling safe and enjoyable in a managed environment is absolutely key, and we’re delighted to be working alongside them.”

For Oxford resident Des O’Sullivan, who regularly attends other activities organised by the young onset dementia team, it was a great opportunity to get back in the saddle and enjoy the fresh air.

Des said: “It was a great morning and thoroughly enjoyable!”

Bike and Banter is just one of many events run by the young onset dementia team at Dementia Oxfordshire. These include regular meet-ups in the pub, a walking group, outdoor games and an online support group for families.

Around 70,000 people nationally have a diagnosis of young onset dementia, defined as dementia that’s diagnosed in someone who is under 65.  As well as organising events, Dementia Oxfordshire’s young onset dementia advisers offer ongoing practical and emotional support and guidance not just about dementia, but also around financial and legal matters, employment, benefits and planning for the future.

More information about other events and the support available for people living with young onset dementia, can be found on the Dementia Oxfordshire website.

Find out more about CyclAbility online.

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Hosted by Oxfordshire County Council, the event recognises the people taking part in the local authority’s Oxfordshire Employment programme, that helps individuals with long-term health issues or a disability to find and retain work.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Corporate Director of Adult Social Care, said: “Our Oxfordshire Way vision looks to support people to live well and independently within their own communities and having a meaningful job can play a big part in this.

“Meaningful employment is something everyone should be able to achieve, but barriers can exist that can lead to people with additional needs feeling excluded from the workplace.

“While our Oxfordshire Employment programme helps to break down these barriers, it’s the skills and determination of the people looking for work that makes the real difference.

“I congratulate all the people who have been recognised and wish them all the success for the future.”

The awards are now into their tenth year and at last night’s ceremony, seven adults were celebrated for their achievements in finding and retaining employment. They included Wolff Skevos-Jones who was named County Print Finishers’ Employee of the Year, and Bradley Milsom who won the Oxfordshire Supported Intern of the Year award.

A special award was also presented to Michael Jackman (pictured on the left), who has been working for the council’s commercial print company, County Print Finishers, for 45 years.

Michael joined the workforce when it was called B&H Industries and has remained a key member of the team ever since. He currently leads the packing operations as well as being involved in the entire production system.

He was awarded his prize by Ruth Shepherd from the Department for Work and Pensions (pictured on the right), for a lifetime of commitment, achievement and for being an amazing advocate for the benefits of supported employment.

Michael said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time working at County Print Finishers. It’s more than just a job to me and I’m really proud to have received this award.”

Oxfordshire County Council has been providing supported employment for almost 80 years, giving adults who may have previously struggled to gain a job the opportunity to get vital work experience and support them to find and retain stable employment.

Oxfordshire Employment is the councils’ programme that offers this support and operates as a go-between to match people with potential employers, as well as providing additional support including preparation for job interviews and advice about ways to retain employment.

The programme works closely with the council’s commercial print company, County Print Finishers, which can help provide the first steps into paid employment.

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The awards are hosted by the Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers (OACP), Carers Oxfordshire and Age UK Oxfordshire, and are supported and recognised by Oxfordshire County Council.

The ceremony will take place on Monday 17 June, bringing together the very best unpaid carers, members of the community and voluntary sector, and statutory and independent care providers.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “The Oxfordshire Care Awards is one of the most important events of the year, giving us all the opportunity to celebrate the inspirational people who provide support to adults in our county.

“From unpaid carers and those who work in the voluntary sector, to homecare providers and inspirational leaders in the sector, it’s an honour to be involved in this event and show the council’s support for carers in Oxfordshire.”

Eddy McDowall, CEO of OACP, said: “These uplifting awards give us all the opportunity to say thank you to the inspirational people working hard in the community and care services across Oxfordshire every day.

“They celebrate local individuals, highly trained direct care givers, adult social care professionals, ancillary workers, family run care services, larger care groups and support organisations who together consistently go the extra mile for the people they support.”

This year’s categories include:

•        Newcomer to Care Award
•        The Care Home Worker Award
•        The Unpaid Carer Award
•        The Volunteer Award
•        The Frontline Leaders Award
•        The Home Care Worker Award
•        International Recruitment Award
•        The Care Team Award
•        The Long-Term Service Award
•        The Inspiration Award
•        Digital Social Care Hero Award
•        Josie’s Award – celebrates an individual who in some way is making an exceptional difference to dignity in care. 

More information about the awards, including different ways to put forward a nomination, can be found on online.

Nominations must be received by 5pm on Friday 26 April 2024.

The awards ceremony is taking place on Monday 17 June at the Voco Oxford Thames Hotel in Sandford-on-Thames.

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Oxfordshire County Council has invested £5 million into the Resonance Supported Homes Fund that has bought and refurbished the property, in partnership with housing provider, Golden Lane Housing.

The home is the first of five properties planned for Oxfordshire, providing person-centred housing for adults with additional needs, with four more due to open in Banbury, Bicester, Kidlington and Horspath later this year.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “This is a key part of our Oxfordshire Way vision, to support people to live well, within their own communities. Through working with partners, we are delivering a scheme that is making a real difference to adults with learning disabilities and autism, supporting them to live in their own home, with all the independence and happiness that brings.”

The six-bedroom property includes off street parking and has an enclosed back garden. It has had extensive refurbishment and includes adaptions to the kitchen and dining room to create a kitchen-diner and renovations to the garden to make it safe, accessible and manageable for all the tenants to maintain.

Four members of the new household moved in February and have been settling into their new surroundings. They have also been meeting staff from Midco Care, who will be supporting them on a daily basis. A fifth person is due to move in shortly.

Hannah, who’s 38, is one of the new tenants. Having previously lived in a shared supported housing scheme in Oxford, she’s now moved into the Witney home, which is closer to her mother and siblings.

Hannah said: “This house makes a whole lot of difference to my life at the moment. I was so happy to find it.”

The Resonance Supported Homes Fund was created in 2020 by social impact property fund manager, Resonance. It is designed to provide a solution to the acute housing shortage that leaves thousands of adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health problems struggling to access homes suitable for them that meet their needs.

The fund selects and buys the properties, which are located at the heart of local communities, so that residents are close to local amenities, such as shops and GP surgeries, good public transport and support services and networks, including friends and family.

Once purchased, each property is fully refurbished and refitted to a bespoke specification as well as having its energy efficiencies improved to help reduce tenants’ energy bills.

Daniel Brewer, CEO, Resonance, said: “Handing over this first property in Witney to Golden Lane Housing is a key milestone in the Resonance Supported Homes Fund’s ambition to provide the right housing for people with learning disabilities and autism in Oxfordshire.

“It was an absolute delight and privilege to meet some of the tenants that have recently moved into the beautiful new home that our fund has bought and refitted to meet their needs.

“Thanks to the investment from Oxfordshire County Council, and the fund’s partnership with expert housing partner, Golden Lane Housing, the fund is now making a difference to the lives of four people living in a home that is right for them, enabling them to live fulfilling lives with independence and choice.”

Once the property has been refurbished and adapted, it is transferred to a housing provider. In Oxfordshire, Golden Lane Housing has been chosen as a partner for the fund, offering specialist support to enable the new tenants to gain independence and enjoy a successful tenancy.

John Verge, CEO, Golden Lane Housing, said: “We are delighted to be working with Resonance and its Supported Homes Fund to provide quality homes that meet the need of individuals. Resonance has a long-proven ability in the housing sector of sourcing properties that are suitable for tenants and long-term operational partnerships with other housing associations.

“Golden Lane Housing has worked nationally for over 25 years providing specialist accommodation. The work Golden Lane Housing and the fund will be carrying out together, will ensure it contributes to addressing the great need for supported housing for people with learning disabilities and autistic people across Oxfordshire.”

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Oxfordshire County Council’s Shared Lives programme and Age UK Oxfordshire’s Homeshare project stand to benefit from the first round of funding from the Department for Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF).

In announcing the first round of funding, Helen Whately MP, Minister for Health and Social Care, visited Shared Lives carer, Sarah Rees, who has been part of the Oxfordshire County Council programme since 2020.

Based in Grove, Sarah offers a place to stay for adults with learning disabilities, mental health problems or other needs that make it harder for them to live on their own.

She welcomes adults into her home for short-term and emergency stays, as well as more long-term arrangements, supporting people to live as independently as possible within a family setting.

Sarah said: “Being part of Shared Lives has given me the chance to meet some incredible people.

“It’s important that people feel like they’re part of the family when they stay with us. This can be as easy as taking our dog, Hugo, for a walk in the park. That sense of normality can be just what people need to really put them at ease.

“Sometimes the support offered in more formal settings just doesn’t work for people. They just don’t seem to fit. But everyone fits in Shared Lives.”

During her visit, Helen Whately MP also met three people who regularly stay with Sarah and who benefit from the welcoming, family environment she offers.

Sammy, who has been staying on a more long-term basis, said: “Since living at Sarah’s house, it’s always been like a home to me. Sarah is the most incredible Shared Lives carer, she always does a perfect job, looking after people for however long they’re with her.

“I am always encouraged to be independent. I often cook and bake for the household. The relationship we all have with Sarah is really special – we even made her a cake for Mother’s Day!”

In addition to Shared Lives, Age UK Oxfordshire will also be supported to expand their Homeshare programme with funding from the ARF.

The pioneering housing project gives different generations the support they need to help each other. It pairs up older people who may be looking for some additional help or simply some company, with a person prepared to offer that help alongside an affordable place to stay.

Marian Pocock, Homeshare Oxfordshire’s Service Manager, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding from the ARF. It will give us the much-needed additional resource to be able to expand our Homeshare service across the county, bringing support and peace of mind to older people on the one hand, and a welcoming home to people seeking affordable accommodation on the other.”

As a service of Age UK Oxfordshire, Homeshare Oxfordshire is well placed to link participants into other services that the charity offers, such as advice and information, exercise classes and bereavement support groups.

Joan Williams is 92 years old and is a current householder with Homeshare Oxfordshire. Joan said: “Aušra coming to live with me has worked out very well. We just get on so well. She’s busy and I’m busy so we have our own lives and are not together a lot of the time, but we might watch something interesting on TV together, talk about the day, and we make each other laugh. We tease each other. Actually, I consider her my niece!

“It's very helpful to have help in the kitchen too and help with things like putting out the bins. My main problem is balance and it’s nice to know that someone else is around, and especially just to know there is someone in the house at night. As we both use WhatsApp, if Aušra’s in town I can ask her to get something – things like that are really helpful.”

The Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF)

The ARF is released in two rounds of funding, with another tranche due to be received in September 2024.

Oxfordshire County Council led on the consortium of local authorities included in the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West integrated care system and secured an initial £469,841 for the region.

From this combined pot, approximately £150,000 will fund the development of programmes in Oxfordshire that build on the council’s Oxfordshire Way vision to support people to live well and independently within their own communities.

Further funding has been identified for work to better support unpaid carers, as well as towards self-help and prevention activities, supporting people to live well without the need to call on more formal services.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Oxfordshire County Council coordinated the bid that has attracted significant funding to the south-east, enabling local authorities to add capacity to innovative social care programmes in the region.

“While any sort of funding is of course welcomed, it is important to emphasise that this is one-off funding for the year. With an ageing population with more complex care and support needs, it is crucial that central government refocuses its attention on social care reform, giving local authorities the tools to properly plan to support residents well into the future.

"On the steps on Downing Street in 2019 we were promised reform that would 'fix social care once and for all'. Five years on and three prime ministers later and we are still operating with sporadic funding through small pots of money hypothecated for centrally determined initiatives.

“This isn't fixing social care or empowering the teams that have an intimate understand of what works best in their community.

“I’m proud that here in Oxfordshire we are still creating innovative projects, managing our money to ensure good outcomes for residents. However, this is not sustainable long-term.”

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Following a £2.54 million investment from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Oxfordshire County Council’s award winning innovation service has developed the initiative, which includes the creation of a portal for care providers. The portal offers support around complex areas such as immigration and compliance.

The service has worked with care providers to better understand the challenges faced in overseas recruitment. The county council has now announced it will partner with Borderless, a technology company founded in 2022, to deliver and further develop the migration platform.

Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Oxfordshire County Council’s innovation service has a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions for the local care sector, working with providers to understand the real challenges they face.

“Overseas care workers are increasingly providing a vital service for many thousands of vulnerable people in the south-east. Our residents who they serve, the providers they work for and the adult social care departments that often fund their work have immense respect and gratitude for the incredible work they do.      

“But the amount of red tape involved in overseas recruitment is challenging. By offering greater support to help providers understand complex immigration rules, this new platform aims to make everything fast, low risk and low cost, enabling businesses to take back control and focus time on their core activities.

"We are determined to make this a great tool but also urge the government to think carefully about the impact on this fragile system of changing rules on International Certificates of Sponsorship; and the new requirements to demonstrate the volume of work and genuineness of vacancies, which is tying the hands of our providers to recruit responsibly.

"We would also welcome better checks and oversight of companies that might be using the system to exploit vulnerable overseas workers. Only by working with a unified sense of purpose will we be able to ensure the whole system is fit for purpose and delivers the best care for those that need it most.”

With the adult social care sector facing growing challenges around the complexity of international recruitment, the DHSC made £15m (£2.54m for the south-east) available over 2023 to 2024 to help support international recruitment within the adult social care sector in England.

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services in the south-east region secured funding from this pot and partnered with Oxfordshire County Council’s innovation service to design and create a portal, accessible to all care providers aimed at addressing the key priorities identified by them across the region. These included barriers around Home Office compliance, high upfront costs and long recruitment timelines. The council is now working with Borderless to further develop the platform.

Matthew Bond, CEO & Co-Founder at Borderless, said: “Borderless is delighted to be partnering with Oxfordshire County Council to deliver this ground breaking initiative. At Borderless – we believe in a world where borders are no longer barriers – anyone, anywhere should be able to move and work, seamlessly and safely, and that’s exactly the foresight we saw in the council’s tender.

“Hiring migrant workers doesn’t have to involve expensive intermediaries. It doesn’t have to mean bewildering Home Office bureaucracy. And it doesn’t have to take months on end.

“We look forward to jointly creating a platform that connects ambitious care workers across the globe with UK care providers, using technology to manage and streamline the entire sponsorship process.”

The recruitment platform is already backed by leading care organisations and associations and is fully compliant with regulatory bodies. Borderless is now working with more than 130 care providers across the UK – offering support with sponsor licence applications, as well as advice on immigration and compliance processes. 

The benefits for care professionals are also significant. Migrant workers can often face significant risks, from being charged extortionate fees to exploitative labour practices, which have resulted in a growing modern slavery crisis.

By providing safe and ethical pathways to the UK’s care industry, Borderless ensures workers are only employed by genuine businesses and are treated fairly throughout the process.

Oxfordshire County Council and Borderless will be offering a series of free introductory webinars for providers in the south-east that are interested in learning more about the benefits of the platform.

Registration for the webinars on 27 March, 23 April and 7 May can be found on Borderless’ website.

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Funded through the council’s Community Capacity Grants, OCF, who manage the fund, has managed to reach even more recipients this year by adding a further £24,997 from philanthropic donors in Oxfordshire.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Care, said: “While we provided the initial funding, our strong partnership with Oxfordshire Community Foundation has meant that our community capacity grants have provided the greatest possible benefits for residents.

“OCF has the skills and connections to identify where the funding is most needed as well as being able to tap into a resource from generous local donors, resulting in a further two groups receiving funding.”

Community capacity grants support the council’s adult social care Oxfordshire Way vision of enabling people to live happily and independently for as long as possible, within their own communities.

Applications were invited from local organisations with plans to develop community-led initiatives, aimed at supporting people to live independently, reducing isolation and loneliness, increasing positive mental health and enabling people to engage with physical exercise.

A total of £325,000 from the county council was distributed to 24 local charities. Grants ranged from £5,000 for the Lawrence Nursing Home team to develop sessions that enhanced people’s mental and physical health, to £20,000 to help community interest company, Cherwell Collective, to develop community assets and support mental wellbeing.

A further £24,997 has been awarded to two additional charitable organisations, My Vision Oxfordshire and Windrush Bike Project, through private donations.

Zoe Sprigings, CEO of Oxfordshire Community Foundation said: “We received 103 applications totalling £1.35 million. Whilst sadly not all could be funded, thanks to the generosity of donors who hold a donor-advised fund with OCF, we have been match-making to provide two further grants.

“We’re continuing to actively speak to our donors about funding an additional nine applications, making a difference to many more people’s lives than we otherwise would have been able to do.”

The difference it’s making 

In the previous round of funding, Children Heard and Seen received a grant of £7,000.  The organisation supports children, young people and their families who are impacted by parental imprisonment.

As a result of the grant, the charity was able to provide a weekend residential trip for Oxfordshire children and their families who have a parent in prison. This included music and film workshops giving the children an opportunity to channel the complex emotions around their parent's imprisonment through a creative outlet.

One parent said: “Ryan and I are so lucky to have come across this amazing charity. We were invited to join them on a lovely weekend away in the beautiful Oxford countryside. We've both made new friends for life. We were given the opportunity to feel safe and at ease around others who have had similar life experiences. No judgements. No stigmas. No awkward conversations. And to feel real empathy and understanding. The whole weekend from start to finish was amazing.”

National statistics report that 65 per cent of boys with a parent in prison go on to offend. However, by offering trauma-informed support, organisations such as Children Heard and Seen are breaking this cycle of offending and achieving better outcomes for families. Of more than one thousand children that the organisation has supported, only five have gone on to commit an offence.

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The new service is due to start in November this year, bringing together two separate programmes from Oxfordshire County Council’s public health and health, education and social care (HESC) teams, increasing the overall funding and broadening the potential reach of the programme.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “The link between financial hardship and health and wellbeing can be a vicious cycle. Poor health can lead to financial difficulties through reduced access to education and limiting employment opportunities. Living with the stress and anxiety of financial hardship can have a damaging impact on long-term health and wellbeing.

“By combining our resources and bringing financial and health advice resources together, we can offer even greater support to people living in Oxfordshire, enabling them to live well and independently within their own communities. Something we call the Oxfordshire Way.”

The new advice service merges the Oxfordshire Specialist Advice Service and the Benefits in Place programme and will provide free, independent and impartial advice to assist people with benefits, debt, budgeting and other financial and welfare issues. It will help to support people to maximise their income, enabling them to look after themselves in their own homes and communities.

This, in turn, aims to bring sustainable health benefits to residents, enabling them to spend more money on activities which support their wellbeing. There will also be an offer of training for people around money management and this will help to build confidence in people and more resilient communities.

Councillor Nathan Ley, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Inequalities and Community Safety, said: "While Oxfordshire could generally be considered a healthier part of the country than most others, we can’t ignore that some pronounced disparities remain, particularly with the gap in health outcomes between our wealthiest and most disadvantaged areas. It's clear that health and financial wellbeing are deeply interconnected: poor health can lead to financial strain, just as financial troubles can adversely affect health.

“This reality underscores the importance of our new and enhanced service. By offering this improved support, we're not just addressing a need, we're taking a significant step towards bridging these gaps at the root cause level. It represents a critical move in ensuring those most in need receive the comprehensive assistance necessary for both their financial and health wellbeing."

Data suggests that the amount of people who use the council's existing specialist advice services has increased by nine per cent on previous years and that more than half of those who have been in touch are aged 75 years or older.

Similarly, the complexity of the issues has increased, with 4,549 advice issues managed, an increase of ten percent in the last year.

The refreshed programme has been codesigned following engagement with people who have used the council’s advice services in the previous year. This involvement will continue prior to the launch of the new service, building in suggestions and possible improvements for residents.

As well as uniting the advice services, funds have been set aside to modernise the provision, including the possible use of artificial intelligence to help better signpost people to potential support available to them.

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The latest statistics show there are more than two thousand unfilled posts in the region’s adult social care sector. Raj Sahota works for Oxfordshire County Council and aims to reduce these vacancies by offering free, one to one, independent support for people considering a career in care.

Raj said: “Working in adult social care is so flexible and varied. There’s a job and career out there for everyone but it can sometimes seem difficult to pinpoint exactly what that is.”

“That’s where I come in. People can contact me, ask me any questions, and I can support them to find their ideal role.”

Oxfordshire County Council is working in partnership with Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers to showcase the variety of roles on offer through the joint Proud to Care Oxfordshire website.

As well as a job search tool, the resource includes an email support service for potential applicants, which Raj manages, helping to match people to available positions and support them through the application process.

Raj said: “We’re really trying to highlight the variety of fantastic career and job opportunities that are available within adult social care. It’s not all about personal care. There are jobs available in kitchens and maintenance, as well as administrative roles.”

“I can help by answering any questions as well as offering tailored support, including reworking CVs and giving advice on interview techniques.”

Over the coming weeks, Oxfordshire County Council will be releasing several “Ask Raj” videos on social media, sharing his hints and tips about ways into the care industry, as well as answering the frequently asked questions he receives, including: Do I need any qualifications? Do I need a car? And what qualities do I need for a career in care?

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “We have an aging population with increasingly complex health and care needs and we need a talented workforce to help support people, across a variety of roles.

“Raj offers a unique service, helping people who are just starting out in their careers in care and I would urge anyone considering joining the sector to get in touch with him to find out more.”

Raj can be contacted by email on p2capplicant.support@oxfordshire.gov.uk, after which, a follow up conversation can be arranged.

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The initiative is called Discharge to Assess (D2A) and it enables people who have had a stay in hospital to continue their recovery in the comfort of their own home, close to the communities that support them.

The national programme brings together hospital based teams from health, adult social care, therapy and reablement to plan a patient’s best route out of hospital, as well as provide a more joined up way to receive support once at home.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Adult Social Care, said: “By working with NHS colleagues we have significantly changed the way we offer support when a patient with additional needs leaves hospital.

“Our social care teams have restructured, working seven days a week to support discharges over the weekend. We’ve also significantly redesigned our care provider framework, ensuring that we have capacity in the system to support people on the same day that they return home from hospital.”

The programme is based on the recognition that people have better health outcomes when they are supported to live happily and independently within their own homes. A vision known locally as The Oxfordshire Way.

The latest weekly figures, reported to the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, show that of the 105 people in Oxfordshire who were medically fit to be discharged from hospital but were still considered as needing additional care support, 91 were enabled to return home to continue their recovery through the D2A pathway.

How it works:

In hospital

D2A brings together experts in health and social care in a twice-daily Transfer of Care Hub meeting. The team considers which patients are medically fit to leave hospital and return home but who may need some additional social care support once they get there.

Plans are then put in place, in collaboration with the patient and their family, to enable them to leave hospital and return home as quickly as possible.

Returning home

Under the programme, instead of remaining in hospital or being moved to a short stay hub bed to wait for long-term support to be arranged, people are offered short-term, immediate care on the day they get home through a council arranged care provider. This can range from a drop in visit to overnight (live in) support.

Alongside the care provider, a patient who has been discharged home with additional support needs will also be allocated a council social worker or occupational therapist. They can make any quick modifications to a person’s home, supporting them to recover safely in a familiar environment. This can include provision of equipment, installation of assistive technology and other minor adaptations.

They will also be assigned a council link worker who will liaise with the care providers, social workers and the patient, to make sure the process is operating smoothly.

Long-term support

Within 72 hours of returning home, people then receive an assessment to make sure they get the right type of ongoing support, tailored to their individual circumstances.

Where it is thought that someone has the potential of regaining their independence, they may be invited onto the Home First reablement programme that offers non chargeable short-term support to help people find their feet.

For some people, a more long-term care package might be needed. The council link worker will be able to offer advice about this in the comfort of a patient’s home, including having discussions about any potential ongoing care costs, to enable them to make decisions that are right for them.  

Dan Leveson, Place Director for Oxfordshire at Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, said: “This is a significant change in the way people are supported to leave hospital and it’s great to see the initial few weeks are working well.

“By enabling more people to recover from a stay in hospital in their own homes, rather than diverting them to a short stay hub bed or convalescing in a care home, we are supporting people in Oxfordshire to regain their independence more quickly and return to their everyday lives.

"I would like to thank the hard working staff in our local health and social care teams for their commitment to this new programme and look forward to seeing further positive results in the future.”

To support the roll out of the programme, Oxfordshire County Council has significantly increased the amount of homecare hours being provided each week by more than 7.5 per cent to 31,095 hours. This is up from 28,885 hours per week last spring and 27,888 in the autumn of 2022.

Due to the success of the programme and based on evidence from the initial pilot last summer, Oxfordshire County Council has been able to reduce the number of short stay hub beds in the region, which were originally commissioned to alleviate pressure on hospital discharges.

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