A SOMERSET charity that helps people over 55 find the care they need to live independent lives and remain in their own homes has been recognised with a special award.
Wincanton Cares supports people in the BA9 postcode area – including the town and surrounding areas – and aims to ensure people receive the right care for them and their needs.
Now, the group’s work has been recognised at the South West Integrated Personalised Care Awards – winning the prestigious Connecting People Award.
During the presentation event, Wincanton Cares was described as a “truly inspiring example of what community power can achieve”, and a “model of community-led personalised care – a north star for what true connection looks like”.
Judges identified how the work of Wincanton Cares has changed lives, helping develop how adult social care officers think about services to support older people and those with disabilities.
“Wincanton Cares began in the aftermath of the pandemic, at a time when navigating health and care felt overwhelming for many,” the award citation said.
“Instead of accepting this as inevitable, a small group of local residents stepped forward with a simple belief: that the community itself could bridge the gaps.
“Built from lived experience rather than policy, Wincanton Cares offers support that is local, relational, and deeply human.”
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The judges praised the “extraordinary impact” the charity had prompted, with 10 volunteer befrienders providing ongoing support to around 25 unpaid carers, a monthly newsletter reaching 500 residents, keeping people connected and informed, and growing the number of caring micro-providers from six to 35.
“They have built an information hub, a responsive website, and a steering group that ensures the community leads every decision,” the citation aded.
“Every action, every connection, every solution comes directly from what local people say they need.
“Wincanton Cares has become a model of community-led personalised care — a north star for what true connection looks like. It has changed lives and is now changing how commissioners think about commissioning itself.”
For more details on the Wincanton Cares charity, log on to www.wincantoncares.org.
Jacky King celebrating the awards for Wincanton Cares
Go on Wincanton Cares – this is well deserved for strengthening local communities, through the people in need, the care system, local providers of care and person centred care. Fantastic and well deserved.
Thank you for supporting vulnerable people in your area the help you give entitles them to stay living in their own homes and within the community. Everyone should be given their own choice where at all possible.