Redcar and Cleveland Adult Social Care Groups and Services Mapping
Download (PDF 346.03 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Redcar & Cleveland needed to provide context into the work carried out to review and expand the current mapping information about groups and services that support people who use adult social care throughout Redcar and Cleveland.
Key findings
Information quickly goes out of date.
There is no one reliable source of information on groups and services, with limited information for people who are digitally excluded.
Information is often duplicated.
There is a disparity between services and groups dependent on where you live. Redcar appears to dominate in the support groups available. Specifically, villages in East Cleveland are lacking in groups locally, with Loftus, Skelton, and Brotton having more on offer. Access to these groups is difficult for local people not living in the villages as transport is limited.
Most groups and services run during the week. Whilst there are some examples of weekend activities this is not equivalent to what is available during the week. It is noted that for people accessing adult social care times like this not being covered might mean people, especially carers, may struggle and reach crisis having no respite.
There are a significant number of craft and social groups. These groups do not necessarily always appeal to a wide demographic.
There is a lack of group support for those with specific long-term conditions locally, this includes cancer and sensory loss. Unlike neighbouring Middlesbrough, where there is a well established monthly sensory loss group through Middlesbrough Council and Public Health, and the Deaf Centre in. The Deaf Empowering Network has also recently introduced coffee morning dates in Middlesbrough.
Older people and those with a family are most likely to find support and activity groups in Redcar and Cleveland. There is a lack of specific support for people aged approximately 30 to 55 years.
Support groups supporting mental health, homelessness, and ethnic minorities, including those seeking asylum, and recovery from drugs and alcohol misuse, are scarce in Redcar and Cleveland. And there were no support groups for LGBTQ+ people.