Work with individuals to build their social capital

The case studies in this section demonstrate a range of approaches aimed at building individuals' social capital through 1-2-1 working and co-production. In some instances, individuals' resources are linked together for a common purpose, and those of groups and community associations.

The connections between self-directed support and collective approaches to improve local well-being are often misunderstood or poorly developed. Self-directed support is sometimes incorrectly viewed as individualistic and even potentially undermining of collective approaches. This is not the case however.

Several members of the Building Community Capacity learning community are part of the In Communities programme which is offered by In Control (IC). IC have been undertaking research with their members on the outcomes of self-directed support, including on people's engagement with their communities. Both the overall research and that for individual local authorities appears to be showing a positive impact. The latest evaluation of the impact of the take up of personal budgets included in the In Control Phase three report notes that most people reported taking a more active role in their local community after receiving a personal budget (58%).

• Womankind Befriending Service - Bristol
  Womankindis a befriending service for women with mental health problems. The befriending service works in partnership with a local community mental health team. Volunteer Befrienders receive training...
• City of York Council: Community facilitators connecting disabled people with the community though adult and community education
  There is a tendency for people supporting adults with learning disabilities to look at educational courses as 'something to do' and not think about progression routes and pathways towards more active...
• City of York - The benefits of a person-centred approach
  This case study illustrates the multiple benefits of working in a person-centred way with one individual, enabling them to achieve their own goals.
• Shropshire: Working Together Group - Growing a network of support through a community café and social enterprise
  Working Together is a registered charity which was started by a group of parents and carers of children with learning disabilities in Ludow, Shropshire. They started the organisation in 2002 in order...
• Reading Older People's Partnership Board: Increasing preventative services for older people
  ReadingBorough Councilhas commissioned a range of services aimed at reducing demand for social care, reducing emergency hospital admissions, and improving older people's health and well-being. These...
• Croydon - Peer Led UserGroup for Adult Substance Misuse
  In 2004, Croydon Drug and Alcohol Action Team (Croydon DAAT) established a framework for service user involvement/participation across its adult substance misuse treatment and support system. The aim...
• Haringey - Neighbourhood Wellbeing Networks
  The project aims to deliver tangible/practical improvements for residents over 75, including improved case management of their health and social care needs, support to prevent falls, help to improve...
• Richmond - Richmond Independent Brokerage Service
  Richmond Independent Brokerage Service (RIBS) was established in 2008 as a response to the Self-Directed Support (SDS) agenda. The aim of the service was to develop and provide a cohesive advice, information...
• Nottingham - Asset-based Community Development
  The SupportNet project in the Beechdale and Bilborough areas of Nottingham is exploring how Self-Directed Support can develop when a local community (defined here as those who live and work in an area)...
• Tyze - Online networks for unpaid carers and people with long-term support needs
  Tyze is an online social network for unpaid carers (ie a family member caring for another family member) and people with long-term support needs. It is similar to social messaging sites like Facebook...
• Hampshire - Combining personalisation with community empowerment
  In East Hampshire a pilot combining personalisation with community empowerment focuses on a group of 35 people with a learning disability who meet weekly as 'Friends United'. The group is run and led...
• National Provider Programme and links to Building Community Capacity
  The PPF consortium is working with providers and commissioners to stimulate service developments within a range of provider and user led organisations to support the wider implementation of personalisation....
• Newcastle - Developing a Community Linkworker Model
  Joining the Dots is a system-wide intervention that aims to improve the ways in which people at risk of isolation access practical help and activities in their local community. The aim is to enable...
• Shropshire - Age Concern Help at Home scheme
  This project aims to enable older people (average age 86) to remain living independently in their own homes by providing practical and emotional support. Without this support, many people are isolated...
• Tower Hamlets - Look Ahead Housing and Care - Personalising block contracts in supported housing
  As part of its move towards personalised adult care services, Tower Hamlets worked with Look Ahead Housing and Care (LAHC) to assess whether care could be personalised in a supported housing service....
• York - Community Facilitators
  York has introduced Community Facilitators who are becoming instrumental in building community capacity across the city. Their role is to provide advice and information, undertake preventative work and...
• Harrow and Shop4support
  In a national first, Harrow Council and shop4support have entered into a partnership to build a web-based citizen portal which provides all people with support needs in Harrow with access to a local...
• Carers and Social Capital
  To some extent all initiatives designed to have the end result of carers being better supported in their caring role have the potential to increase supportive relationships, networks and contacts, as...