NEW - Local area coordinators - help in the community
What is Local Area Co-ordination?
In Thurrock, Local Area Coordination (LAC) offers support to adults aged 18 and over who are experiencing vulnerability due to various factors. This service focuses on enhancing well-being and fostering community connections, rather than providing formal social care or health services.
The service aims to support individuals in leading fulfilling lives by connecting them with local resources and community networks. The individual must live in Thurrock to receive Local Area Co-ordination support. Rather than offering formal care, they ask individuals what a good life looks like to them and guide them in finding local support to achieve it.
What is the aim?
The aspiration is to support individuals and their families in a practical way to improve their mental, social and physical wellbeing. Local Area Co-ordination focus is to support individuals and their families to build their social networks, to create confidence and empower people to take control and have their independence.
Local Area Co-ordination looks at the “whole person”, it also includes exploring support with finance, benefits as well as housing.
Local Area Co-ordination will walk alongside an individual to move towards their vision of a good life and to prevent, reduce and delay the need for formal services wherever possible.
Who does Local Area Co-ordination support?
Initially the team supported people who may have felt vulnerable due to age, frailty disability or mental health needs. However, the offer of Local Area Co-ordination support has broadened since 2013 and now accessible to adults facing challenges such as:
- Feelings of isolation or loneliness
- Depression
- Physical disabilities
- Sensory needs
- Learning difficulties
- Age and frailty
- Complex mental health issues
- Carers
- Local Area Co-ordination supports people who have fallen through the gaps in services, this could be due to engagement challenges or due to their needs being acute and sitting just outside of service criteria.
- Individuals who have been marginalised
Local Area Co-ordination believes in making every contact count and will always explore a conversation and look to provide support if there is a want and a need.