Adult Strategy Annual Report 2024 – 2025

The people we support

We support people with or who may in the future develop care or support needs and their Carers. recognising the importance of their own wellbeing and resilience alongside those of the person they care for. Our aim at all points is to Keep people in their own homes, families, jobs & communities.

In 2024/25 we responded to over 11,000 new requests for support from advice and guidance to urgent temporary accommodation, safeguarding and support. The primary reason for people making contact is a breakdown in current circumstance in the community, developed urgent need for personal care and issues of mental capacity, and other cognitive requirements. We also support people to leave hospital in a timely manner.

We have on average about 2,300 people per year receiving longer term paid support, and a further 2,200 a year accessing temporary accommodation and needing housing related support. We also supported over 700 people to enable them to continue to care for loved ones and conducted 911 safeguarding enquiries.

The quality-of-care provision remains high with 82% of care homes and 95% of home care support being rated as good or outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) (April 2025).

Adults and Health, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Plan

An Adults and Health Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Plan has recently been developed to align with the council’s EDI Strategy, providing clear direction for the approach to equality, diversity, and inclusion across adults’ social care.

The plan outlines specific initiatives and actions that support the council’s overall EDI goals, ensuring that the needs of all individuals are addressed and that services are inclusive, fair, and accessible. Such as:

Workforce

Action: Utilise the results from the workforce SC- WRES (Workforce Race Equality Standard) submitted to Skills for Care to understand impacts of diversity in our workforce

Impact: To have a greater understanding of impacts of diversity on our workforce and take actions to improve

Leadership and organisational commitment

Action: Develop our approach to Allyship – ensure we have a joint understanding of what this will mean

Impact: There are a higher number of allies promoting those with protected characteristics to feel supported

Service design

Action: Ensure that social value and EDI are integrated within procurement and commissioning exercises. Provide focus on the positive impacts this has on people and communities

Impact: Commitment to Social Value Service design – utilise insight to inform (i.e. Housing LIN)

Community

Action: Expand and enhance lived experience groups, ensure we have a diverse workforce

Impact: We have a more diverse range of voices in coproduction, strategic direction and service design

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Key Achievements

We have signed up to Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard (SC-WRES) programme led by Skills for Care and are completing our first action plan which will improve the data we collate on our workforce. The data we have collated, and our analysis indicates our workforce is diverse, but we recognise there is more we could do to ensure our workforce more accurately reflects our communities. We have recognised that our approach could support the wider council, and we are working with colleagues in public health to explore how we could influence this.

We are undertaking the Diverse by Design programme, through which a self-assessment with our workforce is being undertaken, with open and honest conversations encouraged across the workforce in practice sessions and being standardised agenda item for team meetings.

Promoting Independence – Key Achievements

Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF)

The Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) project group is advancing the Shared Lives and unpaid carers projects. The procurement for a joint Shared Lives Service across three neighbouring councils is progressing, with North Lincolnshire Council leading the process and an anticipated service start date of October 2025. Shared Lives schemes provide personalised care in a family setting, which promotes community integration and reduces social isolation. These arrangements offer opportunities for skill development and independence.

Guide to Carer Breaks – Humber & North Yorkshire

The Guide to Carer Breaks – Humber & North Yorkshire was co-produced with unpaid carers to ensure their voices and experiences shaped the support they need. It’s designed to support carers of all ages—including young carers, parent carers, and those caring for adults—by offering early advice on planning breaks. The guide recognises that taking a break is essential for maintaining wellbeing, building resilience, and preventing burnout. It also supports practitioners in having meaningful conversations with carers about their options. Widely available on council websites, the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership site, Carer Support Centres, and through third-sector partners, the guide is helping carers feel seen, supported, and empowered early in their caring journey.

All Age Carers’ Strategy

The All Age Carers’ Strategy supports carers by raising awareness and improving support for carers of all ages. Through a targeted communications campaign delivered in partnership with stakeholders, more carers are being identified and connected to the help they need. Referrals to the commissioned Carers Support Service have increased by 25%, meaning more carers are accessing practical support, advice, and a listening ear. Collaboration with primary care has also led to a 37% rise in referrals, showing that carers are being better recognised within healthcare settings and supported earlier in their caring journey. This progress reflects a growing system-wide commitment to valuing carers and improving their wellbeing.

Changing Lives, Changing Futures

Changing Lives, Changing Futures is a person-centred approach designed to provide short to medium term support for adults of working age living with multiple needs and vulnerabilities. With our Changing Lives, Changing Futures partners guidance which explains the approach has been developed.

Salesforce pilot

The Salesforce pilot is currently in its early trial phase, with the aim of improving the consistency and quality of public information so that people can more easily access the right support at the right time. Importantly, the pilot also creates a new opportunity to gather real-time digital feedback from individuals using frontline channels like customer contact centres and community hubs. This insight will help shape more responsive and effective information, advice, and guidance. The transition to Salesforce forms is ongoing, laying the groundwork for a more connected and user-friendly experience for residents.

North Lincolnshire Care Act assessment tool

A new North Lincolnshire Care Act Assessment tool was co-developed with practitioners from across teams to create a more streamlined, person-centred, and strength-based approach. The tool promotes legal literacy and accountable decision-making, aligning with our practice model and the Adult Strategy. Piloted in summer 2024, practitioners shared positive feedback, noting the tool allows them to focus more on the person’s story and goals – “the assessment is much more focused on the person, who they are, and what they want to achieve” and “I can record in a more person-centred way.” Following the pilot, the tool contributed to improved practice assurance scores and better-quality recording. It was formally launched with the workforce in September 2024.

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP)

Work has been completed in aligning our approach to direct payments with Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) recommendations so that they work better for more people. We know that processes are robust and meet Care Act requirements (Internal Audit opinion of Oct 2022). A working group with Customer Finance and Adults and Health colleagues was established in September 2024 to gain a collective understanding of current position and how this can be enhanced in line with the eight TLAP priorities. Key themes such as information and guidance, communication and correspondence, direct payment monitoring (audit), and co-production have been central to our discussions. Looking ahead, we are committed to implementing these improvements to further empower individuals in managing their care and support.

Occupational Therapy (OT) service

To ensure people are supported in a timely way following transition of the service to the council, additional capacity has been secured through an external provider ‘The OT Practice’. Requests for support were transferred to the provider for prompt first contact and assessment, helping individuals maintain their independence and wellbeing. Alongside this, a comprehensive external review of the service has been completed to understand how well it’s meeting people’s needs. It’s led to clear recommendations, now built into a robust delivery plan with deadlines to ensure real improvements for those who use the service.

To ensure people get timely and effective support, we’ve strengthened our quality and performance oversight. This includes quicker handling of requests, a clear prioritisation process, and regular monitoring to respond swiftly to changes in demand. These improvements—along with better team oversight—have already led to a significantly reduced waiting list and faster responses for those who need our support.

Piece of Mind café

The Piece of Mind café at the Ironstone Centre delivered by NL MIND, opened in September 2024 and provides a springboard for people with care and support needs in seeking to enter or return to the workplace, particularly having experienced poor mental health.

To date, it has provided volunteering opportunities to 10 people, enabling them to build confidence and gain experience in a supportive environment. Notably, 187 hours of volunteering in the café have been completed. One volunteer has progressed into paid employment, while another has moved on to a different volunteering role. Three volunteers have enrolled on courses within the Recovery College, and four have successfully completed their Level 2 Food Hygiene

Collinson Court

A 16-apartment sheltered housing scheme for people over 55 in Riddings won a LABC regional award (Yorkshire) and were finalists for the national awards and shortlisted for a Greater Lincolnshire Property Development Award.

The scheme offers 100% initial nomination rights to the Local Authority and 50% rights on any relets. It has a local connection criterion for Riddings, ensuring it benefits local residents.

Ashby Haven Breaks

A new pilot launched in March 2025, offering a welcoming studio apartment for the person being cared for—providing their Carer with vital time to rest, attend planned hospital appointments, or take a break. This flexible respite option helps prevent Carer breakdown and supports people to remain connected to their community.

It promotes independence, reduces the need for more restrictive care settings, and helps build friendships, social networks, and a sense of belonging. The pilot enables the gathering of valuable insights on demand, access criteria, funding, and future potential to inform wider community-based support.

Embedding Integration – Key Achievements

Sycamore Lodge

In mid-December, North Lincolnshire Council and North Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) collaboratively commissioned Sycamore Lodge, a short stay transitionary care project, focused on short term recovery, with a reablement ethos.

The project provides up to ten placements for people being discharged from hospital to support their continued recovery, regaining confidence and independence, before returning home in a timely manner.

Development forums

As part of our commitment to building stronger partnerships in the care sector, we’ve developed a series of sector-led development forums designed to enhance collaboration, innovation, and improve outcomes for the people we support. These forums bring together care providers, system partners, and community voices to explore key topics that directly impact individuals’ health, independence, and wellbeing—such as Healthwatch, Meds Optimisation, Ongo Agency and the Happiness Programme. Rooted in our community-first approach and aligned with our Adult Strategy, the forums promote shared learning and have already led to new collaborations across North Lincolnshire that support people to stay connected to their homes, families, and communities.

To sustain and deepen this engagement, a 12-month programme of focused sessions has been developed, covering important areas such as dementia, restraint reduction, oral health, STOMP and CLDT, insulin administration, hydration, pet therapy, training, and more. These discussions are helping shape care that is more informed, compassionate, and person-centred.

Test of change project

The test of change project was introduced to provide more focused support for people moving into short stay placements after a hospital discharge, with dedicated staff solely supporting these individuals to return home as quickly and safely as possible. Early data shows a positive impact: both the number of people in short stay and their length of stay have decreased. Regular audits of individual journeys ensure that every transition from hospital to home is timely, well-coordinated, and tailored to each person’s needs – supporting recovery, independence, and continuity of care.

Occupational Therapy Week

Occupational Therapy Week took place from 4-10 November 2024, and is an annual event organised by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) to celebrate and raise awareness of the contributions of occupational therapy to health, wellbeing, and independence.

Our teams provided additional resources and awareness raising throughout the week. A video to provide insight to a Day in the life of an Occupational Therapist in Adult Social Care was also shared through Fred’s Story. Watch #LiveNotExist – Fred’s Story on YouTube here.

Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, our Neighbourhood Health Models and Scunthorpe North

Integrated Locality Working (ILW) is a key priority within the Community First Strategy. Central to this approach are Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs), which bring together health and care professionals to work collaboratively. In North Lincolnshire, INTs provide seamless, person-centred support that meets the full range of an individual’s health and care needs, regardless of age, family situation, or community context.

INTs are key drivers of integration in North Lincolnshire and are being developed across the five localities, using Population Health Management to identify strategic priorities and focus on proactive, person-centred, and preventative care. INT outcomes include:

• Greater efficiency and reduced duplication in community services through Place-based integration.
• Better alignment of services to meet the diverse needs of local communities.
• Joint investment of resources to prevent issues before they arise.
• Improved support through co-production with communities in the design and delivery of services.

INTs are being developed as part of an Integrated Neighbourhood Health model. A six-month, organisation development-supported programme is underway in Scunthorpe North, focused on building the culture, infrastructure, and processes to meet needs proactively, reactively, and in crisis. This model will be scaled across all five localities by 2026, aligning with both the Integrated Neighbourhood Health model and the Council’s operating model.

North Lincolnshire’s Population Health and Prevention Partnership (PH&PP) is emerging as the key Neighbourhood Health Partnership, supporting person-centred priorities like immunisation and community safety. Guided by a Population Health Management approach and mandated by the Place Partnership, the PH&PP Chair is leading a working group to deliver a workshop focused on developing a Neighbourhood Health approach—one that promotes equity, empowerment, community strengths, and active participation.

Next steps: Reducing health inequalities requires a jointly planned neighbourhood health model that builds on community strengths and transforms relationships between statutory services and local people. To drive change, health, care, statutory, and community partners must co-develop this model, supported by joint senior leadership through a Neighbourhood Health Partnership.

Safeguarding Adults Board

The Safeguarding Adults Board conference focused on tackling discriminatory abuse through integrated, inclusive practice. It emphasised cross-service collaboration, reflective approaches to inequality, and the importance of accessible communication. A key outcome was the promotion of Makaton, with co-produced resources shared and ongoing initiatives like a weekly sign and use in key agendas supporting continued workforce awareness and inclusion.

Complaints and compliments

Strengthening of intelligence around complaints and compliments is underway and teams being encouraged to capture and strengthen the collation of impact stories where there have been excellent outcomes for people. Additionally, the voice of people is being strengthened in triangulating against performance data and practice wisdom as detailed in the Assurance, Learning and Improvement Framework.

Continuing healthcare and Section 117 activity events

Engagement events were held during July ’24 for continuing healthcare and Section 117 activity with 82 organisations having attended. Key focus on financial challenges and deep dive into success of bringing activity closer to home for vulnerable patients. As part of our commitment to ensuring a diverse care sector to meet our local need our Complex Care Market Position Statement has now been published. Further engagement events will be held with the sector to improve providers understanding of the market opportunities to encourage provider collaboration and inform local commissioning.

Transforming the care sector – Key Achievements

All-Age Care at Home Recommissioning

The All-Age Care at Home Recommissioning has been jointly undertaken with NLICB, the tender launched at the end of March following the new Procurement Regulations, with final engagement sessions taking place throughout February 2025. Previous engagement with people in receipt of care and support led to the development of ‘I’ Statements regarding what is of most importance to them which have been incorporated within the specification, People with a Lived experience will be included on a peoples panel as part of the tender evaluation based on the “I” Statements. The aim is for Award to be made in August 2025, with implementation by October.

Test of change project

The Trusted Reviewer project continues to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives, with the role now formally embedded into the 2025 Care at Home Recommissioning. Trusted Reviewers bring a unique perspective, combining insight from both care providers and the local authority to ensure that the care and support truly reflect each person’s needs, preferences, and goals.

People are receiving timely reviews, and any changes to their support are actioned quickly, helping them stay safe, supported, and as independent as possible in their own homes. Additional training in minor adaptations and Train the Trainer Moving and Handling has equipped Trusted Reviewers to respond more holistically to people’s needs.

The impact is clear, as of May 2025, 836 reviews have been completed, each contributing to better-informed decisions and more personalised support. A dedicated dashboard helps monitor the role’s reach and effectiveness, ensuring continued quality and responsiveness across the system.

2024/25 Highlights

• In total 726 reviews were completed by a Trusted Reviewer.
• 58 people were identified as having increased independence resulting in a reduction of weekly care hours or alternative support sourced via a community first approach.
• 43 people were identified as requiring additional care and support, ensuring the right care, at the right time, preventing hospital admissions, use of short stay residential and enabling people to remain in their own homes.
• Practice Assurance reviews are conducted with positive results, providing greater oversight of the Trusted Reviewers impact for people.

International Recruitment Project Support Officer

A grant-funded International Recruitment Project Support Officer has been recruited to strengthen support for international recruits and displaced workers across Yorkshire and the Humber. This role plays a vital part in ensuring ethical, person-centred recruitment practices by educating care providers on CQC requirements and supporting the wellbeing of internationally recruited staff.

North Lincolnshire is actively contributing to the Humber-wide effort, working alongside East Riding (the Spoke lead) to shape best practice in international recruitment and local authority quality assurance. Focus areas include proactive approaches to market research, gathering intelligence, and providing meaningful pastoral support—helping international recruits feel welcomed, valued, and supported as they settle into new roles and communities.

This work aims to improve recruitment practices, reduce the risk of licence revocations, and ensure that the international workforce is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness—contributing to a stronger, more sustainable care sector across the region.

Care Home Olympics 2025

The Care Home Olympics 2025 brought joy, connection, and energy to 671 residents across 26 care homes in North Lincolnshire over an exciting 8-week period. Designed to boost physical and mental wellbeing, the event inspired residents to stay active and engaged through fun, team-based challenges. Participation doubled compared to 2024, with care home teams enthusiastically completing tasks, sharing scores, and sending in photos that captured their pride and enjoyment.

Throughout the event, care homes shared how much residents looked forward to the activities, with many planning to continue using the equipment regularly – demonstrating that the positive impact will last well beyond the 8 weeks. The Olympics not only encouraged movement and motivation but also strengthened social connection and lifted spirits.

The event ended with two celebratory closing ceremonies, where residents and staff came together to celebrate achievements, enjoy shared activities, and receive trophies, certificates, and special recognition awards – leaving lasting memories and a renewed sense of community.

The Happiness Programme

Technology: The Happiness Programme, an interactive light technology offering games and sensory experiences for people with dementia and limited dexterity, has been rolled out to 22care homes and 1 specialist care at home provider. Feedback has been extremely positive, with impacts being seen around improvement in social wellbeing and participation, cognitive wellbeing, physical wellbeing and reduction in distress and the use of PRN medication.

AutonoMe continues to garner interest and referrals from social care colleagues and is evidencing positive learning of independent living skills. One learner had expressed a desire to secure some volunteering work as a result of growing confidence from using the App. AutonoMe’s development co-ordinator worked with the individual to access their supported employment videos, and he has now been volunteering at a shop for over two months. The learner is incredibly proud of his achievement.

We have been asked to support Genie in developing their desktop app as a critical friend in order to address barriers which we have found in the embedding of the device. This will be in exchange for extension of the existing service until late summer 2025, at no cost.

You can watch videos on examples of the Happiness Programme for North Lincolnshire Council and the Greenacres Care Home Happiness Programme.

Enabling the Workforce – Key Achievements

Day in the Life videos

Featuring members of North Lincolnshire Council’s adult social care teams showcasing and celebrating their roles, have been shared on SharePoint, Team NL Live, and through Employability Resources via the Humber and North Yorkshire Career Hub. We will continue to showcase our varied roles through enhanced engagement with schools and colleges with further videos developed which coincided with National Apprenticeship Week in February 2025.

World Social Work Day

World Social Work Day was celebrated jointly with children’s social work on 18 March 2025, with the theme ‘Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing’ emphasising the importance of caring and respecting across generations to build strong communities, sustain the environment, and share wisdom for a better future. The day celebrated the achievements of social workers and raised awareness of the vital role they play providing an opportunity for staff to take time out for their wellbeing and celebrate the impact they have on people’s and families’ lives.

Career pathway website

The website is now live. NL Council took part in (University Campus North Lincolnshire (UCNL’s) induction week highlighting areas of work/job roles using the ‘day in the life of videos. In addition, Humber & North Yorkshire’s wellbeing app is promoted across the service. Additionally, Leadership Apprenticeship opportunities are offered across the workforce with discussions regularly taking place at the enabling the workforce forum.

Liquidlogic and ContrOCC

We’re making strong progress with the implementation of Liquidlogic and ContrOCC, our new adult case management and finance system, which goes live end of June 2025. An experienced Practice Lead has been recruited to support this work, with regular input from the Principal Social Worker and Lead Officer for Performance and Intelligence. Staff have been actively involved through webinars, discovery sessions and drop-ins—ensuring the system is shaped around their insight. These changes are designed to improve how we work, to enable our workforce to work more effectively and ultimately improving the experience for people with care and support needs and their Carers.

Adults & Health SharePoint

Adults & Health SharePoint site, our go to area for latest updates and news as well as hosting our knowledge base of key strategies, plans and policies. Development of the site has included a new CQC Local Authority Assessment of Adult Social Care page aimed to equip the workforce with comprehensive information and resources for inspection preparation and engagement. Additionally, SharePoint training is now part of the new starter induction sessions and is being widened across the workforce. Ongoing developments include a refreshed ‘policies and practice guidance’ section addressing staff feedback to enhance navigation and tailor content to specific teams.

Adults & Health Social Care Digital Plan

In summer 2024, the ‘What Good Looks Like (WGLL) for Digital’ work was completed, providing insights and recommendations to support the development of our Adults & Health Social Care Digital Plan. Informed by this and a recent workforce survey, the plan aligns with the Council’s Digital Plan and Adult Strategy. It focuses on using technology to improve services, outcomes, and efficiency, while building staff confidence and digital skills. The plan also promotes person-centred, data-driven services that meet changing needs. WGLL findings show NLC is performing well compared to other local authorities, especially in areas like digital foundations, population health, and safe practices. Regional ADASS forums are also attended to stay updated on digital developments. It would be a beneficial exercise to partake in a further WGLL feedback assessment if it is run again this year

Recognition Event

A joint workforce recognition annual event was held on 20 November 2024, to celebrate the completion of various professional qualifications, such as social work degrees and leadership and management qualifications across Adults & Health and Children and Families.

The event highlighted the importance of these qualifications in improving communication and support for families helping them thrive and achieve. The event was well received with colleagues saying how they enjoyed it and felt valued.

Workforce Roadshows

The roadshows in October 2024 were attended by over 500 colleagues, encouraged Collaboration, Communication, Commitment, Connection, and Celebration through a varied program of interactive sessions, key-note presentations, group exercises, workshops and cleverly designed stalls to showcase the support we (and partners) offer to keep people in their own homes, families, jobs & communities.

This also included an opportunity to discuss with colleagues and gain their views and understanding on the council and adults’ transformation journey. Discussions on tables were incredibly productive and generated innovative ideas and suggestions to take forwards. Throughout each day, attendees were encouraged to share acknowledgements for colleagues who have shown dedication which were shared at the close of each day with over 200 ‘shout outs’ across the 3 days received, celebrating colleagues from across Adults and Health and wider Council.

Adult Strategy Project Plan

Our impact on people’s lives

Rosie’s Story- Regaining Independence

Rosie lived independently in her home, enjoying spending time with family. At the age of 84 Rosie had a left leg amputation. When she left hospital, she went to Sir John Mason House for rehabilitation. Initially Rosie required the support of 2 carers with a hoist. With Rosie’s determination and the skills of the staff working with her, she made remarkable progress.

By the fourth week of her stay Rosie had progressed to using a banana board for transfers with support from one carer. Plans then begun for Rosie to return to her own home for her to continue her journey to regain independence. Rosie had support from Home First Community Support Team in her own home continuing the rehabilitation journey. Rosie began using her prosthetic leg during this time and she was able to live with a much greater level of independence.

For Rosie, the outcome was significant improvement in her ability to manage tasks independently within her own home environment following a huge change. Rosie was able to return to an independent and fulfilling life. The impact of this progress was a boost to Rosie’s overall wellbeing and quality of life, as she was able to regain much of her independence.

Sheryl’s Story – Moving into her own home

Sheryl lived happily in her family home with a very supportive family. Sheryl’s family became concerned regarding her future considering their age and health conditions and wanted to start planning for Sheryl’s future and where she should live. Sadly, her father passed away soon after we began working with the family.

Sheryl’s social worker spent time getting to know Sheryl, exploring what was important to her, and with the support of her mum and sister she was involved and engaged in her care and support planning to move into new accommodation. Together with Sheryl we began to explore what was important to her, which was that she remained close to her family so that they could visit her regularly. Sheryl was supported to find a flat in a new build complex on the same street as where she had grown up. Sheryl recognised the area, the shops and once the building works started, she was supported to follow its progress, passing it daily and referring to it as her new home. As the build was taking place, Sheryl’s new staff started to support her in her family home, building relationships prior to the move and new routines including going to activities that Sheryl enjoys. Sheryl documented this new change in her life using a photo album as a story book, adding new photos each week as her home became more personal to her.

Sheryl started to sleep over a few nights a week, gradually increasing this over time. Her social worker, carers and family worked together to ensure that her daytime routine remained the same as it did when she lived with her mum attending all the same activities. This gave familiar routine to Sheryl and her day while she adjusted lo her new living arrangements.

This transition took many months and wasn’t without challenge but for Sheryl this has been a success.

For Sheryl, the positive outcome is that she has successfully moved into her own accommodation with the same support she had whilst living in her family home. Sheryl has made her social worker a coffee in her new kitchen and continues to update her photo album.

The impact for Sheryl is that she is now living independently in her own community, her family are reassured that she is living well and has continued support to continue to access her community and the activities that are important to her.

Simon’s Story – Volunteering

Simon is a 21-year-old individual who has autism spectrum disorder anxiety and depression. Simon has been socially isolated due to poor mental health since being a teenager. They stopped attending senior school in year 10 due to bullying anxiety and periods of depression. They enrolled in college but withdrew as they struggled to continue their education due to overwhelming anxiety which they believe came from the trauma of their experience of secondary school.

Simon had been receiving support from our supported employment team and had shared they had goals to live Independently and support themselves financially. They also wanted to gain work experience but social interactions and sensory overload are challenges due to the nature of their condition. Simon stated that they did not know how to get into employment which was why they began to consider volunteering to gain work experience increase social interaction and build confidence.

In discussion with Simon we agreed that volunteering at the Piece of Mind café could be a good starting point for them given Simon’s aspirations. The first day was very challenging for Simon and was a mixture of excitement and trepidation but with support reassurance and familiarisation with the environment Simon decided to stay for their shift. Simon’s initial challenges were social Interaction and adjusting to a new routine, we developed strategies together to ensure success by putting in place clear expectations and routines and gradual social exposure. Simon now has a number of responsibilities In the café which include following simple recipes with support to make baked goods, stock taking/rotating greeting customers and managing the till and coffee machine.

The positive outcomes volunteering in the café for Simon are increased confidence, they are more comfortable interacting with customers and staff and positive reinforcement from staff has helped to build self esteem. They have improved and developed new skills including customer service and cash handling and have built relationships with staff and other volunteers developing a sense of belonging and pride in their work.

Simon’s volunteering involvement is proving a very positive and beneficial experience, highlighting their potential and with the right support the ability to thrive and build valuable skills which has a positive impact on mental health recovery.

People’s Voice

“The care workers help me to maintain my independence and I am able to say if I do not want something doing or want something doing differently.”

“The Performance Officer was extremely thorough and very complimentary around our professionalism, respectfulness and general demeanour. We want to note their valued help and for always being there to guide us and help us feel confident that we are CQC inspection ready. We wish to thank PDT for all of this and let them know what a great job they are doing.”

“This service has allowed my mum to remain independent and safe. The only other option we would have had would have been a care home which was not what my mum needed just yet.”

“The journey our residents are on, using the Happiness programme is positive, we have seen improved cognitive ability, smiling and engaging with others. Finding skills they have lost within their Dementia.”

“Really impressed, so professional. They certainly made sure I could do everything I needed to, to live on my own again.”

“We have permissions to be creative…and work individually testing out innovative solutions.”

“All the Home First workers are very upbeat; they make you feel you will be able to do things.”

“Victor House are a valued support and help for the police service, we have a safe place to bring people who need support.”

“My angels, Emma & Anna…they really helped me, encouraged me to learn to walk and to live life again.”

“It has been a pleasure working with North Lincs this year and without any doubt it is one of the most organised DoLS teams.”

“I appreciate active involvement of leadership in inductions and webinars, really helping to sharing information.”

“Amazing Roadshow, great to see what we do across the service. Thank you to those who supported and delivered thought provoking workshops.”

“The staff are all amazing, we are so happy and cannot believe the difference that has been made, it has been worth all the stress of facilitating the move and it was the best decision.”