Read our guest blog post from Helen Allen, Operations Manager at
Community Catalysts.
When asked to write a chapter for the publication 'Making Health
and Social Care Personal and Local: Moving from Mass
Production to Co-Production' it didn't take long to showcase some
examples from micro providers that would hit the mark. Community
Catalysts is a Community Interest Company supporting the
development of sustainable local enterprises delivering services
that people can buy to live their lives. We believe that people in
communities have many untapped gifts and skills and with help can
use those to provide real choice of small scale, local,
personalised and high quality social care and health services (in
the broadest sense) for local people looking for support and
services. These 'micro-entrepreneurs' may use services themselves,
care for a loved one or have previously worked in social care. Some
have no previous 'social care' experience but have a passion or an
interest that they want to introduce to people in their community -
some of whom happen to have some support needs. Services may be
delivered on a voluntary basis, as part of a cooperative or as a
small social enterprise or business. In all cases, because of their
size they are more likely to be responsive to individual or quirky
requirements and co-created, co-designed and co-produced.
Co-production isn't a word that would trip off the tongue of the
average micro provider but it seemed that they were putting it into
practice (more importantly) in three slightly different ways:
INSIGHT For Carers- Harnessing the power of informal
networks
INSIGHT for Carers Service, known as INSIGHT is an independent,
not-for profit organisation for carers, run predominantly by carers
in Dudley. The project was set up in 2009 by Marc Carter who
had a vision of creating a hub for carers in Dudley as he is
passionate about empowering carers and people who use
services. As a carer himself of two autistic children, Marc
believed that the needs of carers were being ignored and that
bureaucracy stood in the way of genuine people who wanted to air
their views, issues and concerns.
INSIGHT works hard to meet the needs of carers, developing and
delivering the services that they want, rather than those people
think they need while at the same time reducing isolation and
empowering carers to lead fulfilling lives.
In addition The INSIGHT project provides volunteering opportunities
for people with learning and physical disabilities, mental ill
health or disaffected young adults who are struggling to obtain
employment. Their aim is to help people to increase their
confidence, gain the necessary skills to obtain employment and
achieve a sense of fulfilment.
Funky Fitness and Fun - Creating ways for people to shape
the service
Micro-provider Carita Smith set up her enterprise in Oldham in 2008
with the aim of using her own interests, skills and experience to
provide a safe, secure and fun environment where adults with a
learning disability, physical disability or mental ill health can
meet and take part in a range of activities to enhance their
overall wellbeing.
The service runs on two days each week at a local community
centre. Members tell Carita about what type of physical
exercise that they would like to engage with in forthcoming weeks
and she commissions it on their behalf - hence tai chi, dancing,
aerobics, cheerleading, Elvis dancing, have all been included in
the weekly sessions.
The sessions bring custom to the café within the community centre
which is run as a social enterprise, as it provides a healthy range
of food options for the members. Bringing people together has
further opened doors for some members, who have now gained
voluntary work at the café and are undertaking qualifications to
further their chances of employment in the future.
A recent development includes the "Funky Fitness Fun Team". This
consists of four members with a learning disability delivering
fitness sessions to the wider community alongside Carita, for
example at sheltered housing. All members feel valued by having
this great opportunity and new links are being forged with the
older residents.
Pulp Friction CIC- Equal partners in the design and
delivery of the service.
Pulp Friction is a Nottinghamshire-based enterprise that works with
young adults with learning disabilities to develop their social,
independent and work-readiness skills. They provide opportunities
and individual support for people to run pedal-powered smoothie
bars at different community events.
Jill Carter and her daughter Jessie, who has learning disabilities
set up the enterprise when Jessie could not find meaningful
employment in the local area like many of her non-disabled friends
- of real importance for both parties.
After seeing a smoothie bike at a local festival and speaking to a
few of Jessie's friends who loved the idea, Jill provided support
to put an application into the Youth Opportunity Fund for £1800 to
buy a smoothie bike for themselves. They were successful in
their bid and the Pulp Friction Smoothie Bar project was
born!
They launched their Community Interest Company in June 2011 and in
November of that year Jill won the Nottingham social entrepreneur
of the year and Jessie the Nottingham young social entrepreneur of
the year.
People like Jessie and Marc are often pigeon-holed as 'service
user' or 'carer'. But they should be seen as the people they are -
people with great gifts and assets that they want to and can use
for other people and their community. Their entrepreneurial spirit
should be recognised and valued for the good work that they
undertake and the effect they can have within their local
neighbourhoods, co-producing local solutions for people.
Helen Allen, Community Catalysts
Last Updated : 11 July 2012. Page Author: Laura Bimpson.
