Well, what a year it’s been for all of us. I’m delighted that TLAP has been able to work with the government and partners to ensure people with lived experience could make a tangible difference to guidance during the pandemic. As a partnership, we’ve never felt more relevant. In 2021 we’ll be reflecting on our achievements over the last ten years and hopes for the future. In the meantime, we wish you all a peaceful Christmas and healthy new year.

Caroline Speirs, Head of TLAP

“Nine years ago, I woke up one morning to discover that I was unable to walk.  Since then I have had to negotiate my own ladder and come to terms with the fact that my life has changed forever”. Jennifer Pearl blogs with passion and humour about her journey to improved wellbeing.

“For me, working with the TLAP partnership can sometimes feel like an emotional roller coaster ride. When things get rocky, we don’t have the equivalent of marriage guidance.” 

Enjoy Clenton’s reflections in his latest blog on what it’s like to be part of TLAP.

"I am a ‘veteran carer’ - 55 years’ experiences, good and bad! Now, in the tenth month of the COVID19 pandemic, I am not sure that I am on the winning side of the war..." catch up with Dame Philippa in her article for TLAP and a further account about her son Simon's experiences, first published in the Telegraph My son has learning disabilities and I live in fear I will get Covid and won’t be able to look after him  (Please note this article is behind a paywall so some readers will have restriced access).

TLAP is committed to making sure that personalisation works for all. So, the uncomfortable truth that Covid is having a disproportion effect on people form BAME communities accessing care and support is something we are investigating. Help us by contributing your case stories.

Social Impact Bonds are a form of commissioning where third-party investors provide up-front capital to organisations to deliver services that focus on community strengths and use co-production. Read Professor Chris Fox et al work on this topic. Please download the pdf.

The pandemic has presented some particular challenges for people living with multiple long-term conditions. The taskforce findings are intended to support people working in the health and care sector to find new ways of thinking and working. 

In the wake of Covid there’s been a sharp rise in digital mental health services, and while it’s been beneficial, many have lost out. The Association of Mental Health Providers offer practical steps to service providers to close the gap on digital exclusion.

The NHS want to hear what you think of their vision for a more responsive and effective care system that will bring together NHS organisations, local councils and frontline professionals from April 2021.

If you want to learn about community-led housing for all ages and how it works, take a look at A CollaborAGE Directory – Championing Communities by our partner Housing LIN

Commissioner Stephen Bahooshy discusses why Covid should not be used as reason to not co-produce with first hand insights on how to do it safely and effectively. This article first appeared in Public Sector Executive. 

Join Professor Catherine Needham, University of Birmingham and others for an online seminar where the care act 2014 duty to ‘shape’ markets will be discussed.

Join Alex Fox, Shared Lives Plus, Matthew Taylor, The RSA and others discuss how to create more asset-based charities with real impact.

"This is one of the most important developments in social care". Prof John Bolton. There is much talk of asset-based approaches. Community Circles are making them happen in practice! Join a one-day online course with follow up support to find out more. Please download the pdf.

Social care future has begun an important narrative around framing and the difference it can make to perceptions of social care, so it was with interest that we selected the following article from the King’s Fund as our Good Read for this edition of the newsletter.

Please forward your contributions for the Good Read section to info@tlap.org.uk