Community Catalysts

Our impact report 2025-26 provides you with a summary of how we deliver better outcomes for people, increase choice of care and support, create diverse care markets and offer social and economic value. Includes video intro from @alexfoxshared.bsky.social www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/publications...

We’ve published a report which shows the positive impact that Family and Group Conferencing for Adults (FGC) can have for people, wider networks and systems. The research was led by Professor Jerry Tew at the University of Birmingham https://loom.ly/B5jMkDo

Family Group Conferencing for adults - our new network putting people and families at the heart of care planning. @nicksinclair.bsky.social with Hartlepool’s Carole Keay-Bolton on stage at the ADASS northern curiosity event Better outcomes, more independence and an average of £1,500 saving

Are you a commissioner, director or manager in health and social care who wants to learn about community-led approaches that are making a difference to people across the UK? Get along to our free, one-hour session on 26 November to hear more https://loom.ly/FWIZkmQ

Choice and control are fundamental to the future of adult social care. But how do we make them a reality for more people? We're delighted to be contributing to a partnership event tomorrow in Manchester - Relight the fire of choice and control in the Northwest - that will explore this question.

How can the system support us? This is one of the questions that self-advocates and self-advocacy groups will be answering next week in the first of 5 panel sessions. Take away real insights and share what matters to you. Book your free place 👇 tinyurl.com/54x9k659

An independent evaluation of our community micro-enterprise project in Cardiff shows the significant potential of community-led approaches in social care. Impact includes increased choice for people, employment opportunities, and social and economic value www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/publications...

Tomorrow we're celebrating the relational and strengths-based approach that is Local Area Coordination. In London, our National Gathering will bring together Network members to discuss 'Local Area Coordination of the future' . It will be a fun and informal day, to connect, learn and plan together.

Over the last six months, we’ve been working alongside Lancashire County Council to design and develop a new community micro-enterprise programme that will help local people use their skills, passions and experience to support others in their communities https://loom.ly/n19b9RA

The King's Fund has today published ‘Direct Payments: Creating the conditions for choice and control’. TLAP supported this research by convening a reference group of people who draw on care and support, organisations and networks. Read our statement: thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk/news/new-rep...

Countless attempts to get social care reform over the line over the past quarter century have failed. All of them have missed a vital dimension: a new social settlement. Can this time be different? neilcrowther2.substack.com/p/settling-s...

Glynn wasn't getting out much and was becoming isolated in his life. Penny, the Local Area Coordinator, spent time with Glynn, understanding his needs and aspirations. She helped him find support that led to a growth in confidence and Glynn having control over his life again https://loom.ly/f_pUpGI

We all want to live in homes that we love, in neighbourhoods that feel safe and strong. When our local places prosper, we can all live well and thrive. We've been celebrating what can be achieved working in partnership with housing and other local providers https://loom.ly/fqVqBqY

Baroness Louise Casey will be joining us at NCASC this November as a keynote speaker. Don't miss the opportunity to hear from her and other amazing speakers. Book your tickets and see the full programme here: ncasc.info/booking/

If you're keen to rethink how you do neighbourhood health and want to do it alongside those on a similar journey, submit your interest and we'll have a chat with you. Further information https://loom.ly/B9E9wI4

@skillsforcare.bsky.social and Ipsos have launched the Adult Social Care survey 2026. Whatever role you have in adult social care, have your say and shape the future of the sector http://Ipsos.uk/ASCWorkforceSurvey

To continue the debate sparked by ‘Putting the Neighbourhood Back into Neighbourhood Health’, @cormacrussell.bsky.social & @lisamcnally.bsky.social have developed a series of guides to help explore and influence the direction of neighbourhood health approaches. 👉 www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...

It's really important that people's voices, particularly quieter voices, are heard when designing services with and for people in local areas. PlaceShapers, a network of housing associations, is acutely aware of this. Their blog features our Big Conversation approach https://loom.ly/q3FatWkn

Veronica’s mum went from feeling isolated and anxious about losing her independence to living a richer, safer and more connected life, thanks to a trio of community micro‑enterprises https://loom.ly/SKTGAwc @alexfoxshared.bsky.social

The 10-Year Health Plan recommitted to the continued expansion of Personal Health Budgets (PHBs), to support the delivery of personalised care that helps people live good lives. Our work and partnerships support this ambition. More on this www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/our-work/per...

Are you looking to build confidence in Direct Payments?💡 Welcome to our Understanding Direct Payments learning series, which has been created for people working in adult social care. 📩 thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk/our-hubs/cho...

William used to be a learner with MacIntyre No Limits. Now he’s helping others with learning disabilities find opportunities. He recently helped lead an employment workshop for local businesses, sharing his experience and helping employers see what’s possible. https://ow.ly/VfHa50ZBqLz

✍️Soup or salad? It’s time to rethink health and care integration. Former ADASS President, @jessmcp.bsky.social, argues that we need to turn the question around: Read the full blog for her insights: www.adass.org.uk/soup-or-salad-its-time-to-rethink-health-and-care-integration/

Family and Group Conferencing is more associated with children's services, but we've embarked on a project to extend its reach in adult social care. Read a Community Care article on it https://loom.ly/xyNhgR4 Thanks to @mithransamuel.bsky.social for featuring.

Choice and control in social care is about people having real power to make decisions about their own lives. Explore TLAP’s Choice and Control Hub to learn about the core concepts behind choice and control and to access practical guidance and tools: thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk/our-hubs/cho...

Gary lives alone and was struggling to connect to others in his community. He was put in touch with Jackie, the Local Area Coordinator in South Tyneside. Jackie spent time with Gary and was able to help him get connected to his community so he was less isolated https://loom.ly/AeZfm9s

While government is moving its 'Big Conversation' on care forward, we've been running our own for some years. At the heart of ours is partnership with local councils and orgs to support people in local areas shape what their support looks like in those areas https://loom.ly/SxXNIQw

After losing her partner suddenly, Mary found herself living alone. She was also dealing with long‑term health conditions and a growing fear that she might not even be able to stay where she was. She then met Sam, her Local Area Coordinator, and things changed... https://loom.ly/Olxwa4o

It's not always clear how employment status should apply to Personal Assistants who provide care and support to people. That's why TLAP launched 'Personal Assistant employment status: A guide to support good practice'. The guide explores how employment status principles apply in practice.

Michael Cole, the Commissioning Manager for Micro-provision in Lancashire, gained a lot from the space and new connections that our New Social Leaders programme offered him. If you're keen to think about new ways of working and meet others who share your values, get in touch https://loom.ly/B9E9wI4

What works well in terms of community-centred support for people experiencing housing instability and homelessness? We believe putting people before processes is the way to approach it. Read some stories that evidence it https://loom.ly/s1D6jCc

Community micro-enterprise development results in more choice of support and activities for people in their local community. And importantly, we ensure the small enterprises and businesses that are created are high-quality, safe, legal and sustainable. Read more https://loom.ly/-97v5kE

How do we bring more creative, caring people into the support provider market in a way that feels safe to families and professionals? With partners we work to achieve this. Helen shares her thoughts on employment status and getting it right for people https://loom.ly/QwSKNE0

A video recording of this @housinglin.bsky.social webinar is now available! Really pleased to contribute to it on community-led housing projects 👇 #HAPPiHour

In Suffolk, community micro-enterprise development is resulting in diverse, personalised support that is tailored to the person's needs. Flourish2Thrive, HandS Help and Support, Claire's Care and Lia's Art for Wellbeing are just four that are changing people's lives everyday!

Co-production starts long before strategy meetings. It begins in everyday conversations where people feel heard, understood and able to share what matters to them. For #CoProWeek2026 this blog explores why relational co-production is at the heart of good social care buff.ly/fvJo2OR

When people of all places, identities, and experiences are true partners in designing it, care and support works better for everyone, especially those the system is failing. Together, let's raise expectations for what care and support can be and who gets to shape it. #CoProWeek2026

We know the importance of hearing people's voices where they are, for good collaboration, coproduction and strategic planning. Debbie John tells us more about the Big Conversation approach which supports this #CoProWeek www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/2026/05/05/h...

We're looking forward to contributing to a @housinglin.bsky.social webinar next Tuesday! @nicksinclair.bsky.social and Andy Cooke will talk about how a micro-enterprise helped revive a forgotten space 👉https://loom.ly/ok7s9to

Partnership working is key to helping people live good lives. In a blog, Zoe Miller, Programme Catalyst, shares her experiences and insights on the potential benefits and possibilities of partnerships with housing providers to help people and neighbourhoods thrive https://loom.ly/zPkWBUU

For #LonelinessAwarenessWeek, our President @philholmes.bsky.social discusses why tackling loneliness should be a central goal of adult social care reform. Read his blog: www.adass.org.uk/loneliness-is-everyones-business-and-adult-social-care-has-a-vital-role-to-play/.

Tracy and Katie had a vision to help people live a good life and with the support of Community Catalysts Suffolk set up Room to Breathe, a community micro-enterprise offering specialist, non judgemental decluttering and organising support https://loom.ly/nUpBCAQ

In two years, community micro-enterprise development in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster, has seen the creation of a diverse network of care and support. Bhupinder Kaur, Community Enterprise Catalyst, celebrates the impact of the project https://loom.ly/cbqFNe4

Want to learn about and apply practical tools and strategies to enhance neighbourhood and place-based health initiatives? And build a strong peer support network around it? Join our New Social Leaders programme www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/our-work/new...

Fabia Cerra launched her community micro-enterprise to support people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and older residents to live independently and stay connected to their communities. Great piece about Fabia's story in This is Oxfordshire 👉 https://loom.ly/BfF7vAs

Well done @flamencowithmaika.bsky.social !!! 🥳

Bath & North East Somerset Council had the commitment and confidence to invest in a clear vision for reshaping local care and support. Working in partnership with the council we made that vision happen, giving people more choice and control over their care https://loom.ly/-97v5kE

Flourish2Thrive is a specialist community micro-enterprise helping people live fulfilling, independent lives in their own homes and community in Suffolk. With our support, this enterprise is now changing the lives of people in the local area https://loom.ly/Yho5Ods

Community recruitment is just one of Local Area Coordination's many unique design features. Cheryl, the LAC Team Manager in Oxfordshire has seen the value of the process. In her words it is 'meaningful coproduction that shows the voice of the community really matters'. #LACWeek2026

Our Big Conversations are all about hearing people where they are and turning what is heard into insight and action plans for change. Debbie John, Programme Catalyst, tells us more about what makes Big Conversations unique, focusing on our work in Bromley. Read her blog https://loom.ly/SxXNIQw