Enterprise and community intervention at a micro level

Helen Allen

Community Catalysts

A social enterprise and CIC established in 2010

Works across the UK in partnership with local councils, health trusts, community groups and provider organisations

Believe passionately in social innovation

Nurtures what works; challenges what doesn’t and finds real, workable alternatives

Harnesses the talents and imaginations of people and communities

Aims to make sure that people wherever they live have a real choice of great services and supports

The vision

Real choice

Real control

Real contribution

for people who need care and support to enable them

to live real lives

The reality?

Control doesn’t automatically result in choice

If: There are no services to choose from There is nothing new to choose from (only what

was always available) Control and choice is made so complex,

confusing, unattractive or scary that people would rather ‘get what they’re given’

There is no information about the choices available

Information isn’t accessible or relevant

Community micro-enterprise

Local people providing support and opportunities to other local people

Very small scale (5 or fewer workers paid or unpaid) Are independent of any larger organisation Can be run by anyone including people who use services,

their families or other community members, May be established enterprises, businesses or groups

with a care or support focus May be established enterprises looking to diversify their

offer to people with care and support needs May simply be people with a good idea for something

new

What do micro providers offer people who need support and services?

Personal and tailored Co-produced Flexible and responsive to change Choice of services that help people to live their lives Meet health and social care needs and support the well

being and prevention agenda Help people to link to their community and build social

capital Help people to make their money go further Local people helping other local people.....locally

Community Catalysts and micro providers

We have developed a way to work with local partners to:FindEngageSupport Connect

Local people already running something in their area or those with a great new idea

We have worked with 40 councils and communities across the UK

Local

Community Catalyst

Access to guidance and

policies Advice on premises

Brokering interface with the Council

Signposting to experts

Shaping of enterprise idea

Marketing

Dealing with complaints

Help with tenders and

contracts

Information on personalisation

Feedback on written work

Peer connections

and networks

Help with finance and

funding issues

Worcestershire Micro-enterprise Development Project

Partnership - Worcestershire County Council and Community Catalysts

Aim to create choice for people with a personal budget or own funds

70 community micro- providers now offering services and supports to the people of Worcestershire. Used by over 900 people

100 job and 175 volunteer opportunities Positive outcomes and feedback

Well being and prevention

Stories

Green Shoes Arts

Girl Friday

Shed Therpay

The Jam Club

Why do community micro- providers need support?

• The way in which services are supported, regulated and commissioned has forced many good community micro -services to close or for new and emerging providers to enter the market

• Families and frontline staff don’t know the new options exist or are risk adverse and stick with the traditional services

• Existing organisations rarely work together, understand the world of care, or have the specialised knowledge to provide the necessary tailored support

University of Birmingham research 2013- 2015

Community micro- enterprises: Offer more personalised services Help people to do the things they value and enjoy with

their time Are more innovative: more flexible and offer support to

potentially marginalised communities Offer better value for money “the ability to offer more personalised and valued

care without a high price tag”

For further information

Contact

Helen Allen

helen.allen@communitycatalysts.co.uk

www.communitycatalysts.co.uk

Follow us on twitter @CommCats