C.L.A.R.E. in Practice

Drawing on the skills already available within communities, it aims to empower individuals to shape and manage their own support and care.

It is hoped that this holistic approach will foster independence, reduce the likeliness of early reliance on statutory services and utilise the skills, expertise and neighbourliness of the local community and wider voluntary and community sector, to respond to the practical needs of the individual.

C.L.A.R.E.’s  Creative Caring Communities project is a community led initiative that aims to build the capacity of local people to support vulnerable adults to live independently in caring and responsive communities, delivering better outcomes for the individual and reducing the pressure and early reliance on adult health and social care services.

The initiative is already operational in a pilot capacity in Mount Vernon estate in Belfast, with the plan to develop a sustainable and scalable community model that will be extended along the Shore Road and into Inner North Belfast.

The C.L.A.R.E. project is a timely initiative in response to current challenges faced by adult health and social care services and it provides a unique opportunity for statutory services to work in partnership with the community sector to maximise skills and resources and achieve better outcomes for vulnerable adults and older people.

Laura Feeney, Programme Manager, C.L.A.R.E., said: “There is an increasing recognition that those with care and support needs generally want to live independent, socially inclusive lives with the opportunity to design their own care and support in a way that best meets their needs rather than trying to fit themselves into existing services.

"We work closely with health trust, to engage with those most vulnerable to design and implement a holistic living plan utilising a self-assessment approach that will achieve a better quality of life, better health and well-being outcomes and empower individuals to have ownership and greater control over the care and support services they receive".

The project already underway in Mount Vernon has the potential to play a significant role in the transformation of how future adult health and social care services are delivered complimenting the Transforming Your Care – Vision to Action review across a number of key emerging themes, desired outcomes and principles underpinning the Transforming Your Care approach.

Ms Feeney added: “This project will support individuals to identify the services, resources and practical aids they require, signpost and align them to appropriate resources and provide assistance with practical support to engage in wider services through skilled community champion volunteers.

This seamless model of delivery will ensure vulnerable individuals have information and access to the right support at the right time, remove potential barriers to engagement and effectively enable them to maintain their independence, prevent deterioration in health outcomes and improve health and well-being".

Building Change Trust will keep up to date with the C.L.A.R.E. pilot project in Mount Vernon estate. Keep an eye on our blog for the latest news.