Published on
7 August 2026
Residents driving positive changes in social care across Wokingham Borough
Improved accessibility, stronger community support and more opportunities for residents to shape local services feature in a new annual update
Residents across Wokingham Borough are playing an active role in shaping the future of adult social care, helping influence local services, strengthen community connections and raise awareness of the support available in their communities, according to an annual Social Care Future update presented to Full Council on 23 July.
The update comes as the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care launches its Big Conversation on Care, a national engagement exercise gathering people's views and experiences to help shape the future of care across England.
The report highlights the difference resident involvement is already making locally, from improving accessibility and strengthening community support to helping shape services and the way adult social care is delivered across the borough.
Residents helping shape services
Residents have worked alongside the council and partners to influence how services are designed, what they should achieve and who is best placed to deliver them. Their experiences, ideas and feedback are helping ensure local decisions reflect what matters most to people.
People who draw on care and support are also helping shape who works in Adult Social Care. Through interview panels and recruitment activities, residents have helped appoint 17 members of staff so far.
More than 30 residents have worked in paid roles on projects alongside the council and partner organisations, helping redesign services, spaces and strategies across the system. Many more have helped shaped work by sharing their views in community conversations and surveys.
Making Wokingham Borough more inclusive
Launched this year, the Inclusive Design Group brings local people together to help improve accessibility across Wokingham Borough. Members share their real-world experiences at the planning and design stage, helping organisations identify barriers early and make practical improvements.
The group aims to help create communities where everyone feels welcome and included. The group is made up of twelve residents and three local projects have already benefited from their input.
Changes influenced by residents in previous years are also continuing to make a difference. Since improvements were made to disabled bus pass arrangements, approximately 61,000 additional journeys have been made, helping people travel to work, attend appointments and stay connected to their communities.
Safe Places and stronger communities
This year also saw the relaunch of the Safe Places scheme in partnership with Optalis Supported Employment Services. The scheme offers welcoming places where people can ask for help and support when out and about, helping them feel more confident and independent in their daily lives.
Since relaunching in May, 19 Safe Places have signed up across the borough, with new locations continuing to join the scheme.
The year also saw the launch of the Sparks Community Award. Through the award, residents help decide which community-led projects receive funding to bring the Social Care Future vision to life. In the first round, nine grassroot projects received support, with a second round of funding being awarded in September.
Changing the story of social care
A major focus during the year has been helping people better understand social care and the role it can play in helping people live the lives they want to lead. This has included taking part in the national Gloriously Ordinary Language programme, which is helping make communications clearer, kinder and more human. The learning is already influencing support plans, recruitment materials, letters, forms and public communications.
Daniel, who shared his views as part of the work, said: “Thoughtful language can restore dignity, give people a sense of control and build stronger relationships.”
As part of the Social Care Future work, real stories from local residents have helped bring social care to life. These stories have now been viewed more than 129,000 times, helping more people understand the role social care can play in supporting people to live the lives they want to lead.
Cllr David Hare, executive member for adult services and public health, said:
"Social care affects all our lives, yet too often people only think about it when they, or someone they love, need support.
"This update shows the difference that can be made when people use their personal experience of care and support to help shape what happens locally. Residents are helping improve accessibility, influence decisions, strengthen community support and make Wokingham Borough a more inclusive place to live.
"We are proud that our commitment to working alongside residents was recognised by the Care Quality Commission through its Outstanding rating for partnerships and community collaboration.
"There is still more to do, but the progress made over the past year demonstrates what can be achieved when residents, communities, partners and the council work together to create positive change."
The Social Care Future movement is a journey. While significant progress has been made, residents, community groups, partners and the council will continue working together to improve outcomes for people who draw on care and support and help create communities where everyone feels welcome, included and connected.
Want to get involved?
Nearly 1,600 people have already joined Wokingham's Social Care Future movement, helping shape positive change across the borough. Whether you draw on care and support yourself, care for someone else, work in your local community or simply want to help build more inclusive neighbourhoods, there are opportunities to get involved.
Find out more about Social Care Future and sign up to the supporters' newsletter to hear about upcoming projects, events and opportunities to help shape local change.
