WIVELISCOMBE has seen substantial growth in its care and volunteer sector.

The small Somerset town, which is affectionately known as 'Wivey' to locals, has brought in more than £1.4 million in unclaimed benefits and seen its community care workforce expand from three to 35 since 2018.

Local people responded to the crisis in care by creating a 'connector scheme' called Wivey Cares, which signposted people who need help to self-employed carers.

The carers, known as 'micro-providers', help residents with everything from personal care to providing company and conversation.

David Patterson, a retired social worker, founded the scheme. He said: “Wivey is a rural town, and the conventional model of care at home just doesn’t work here for this reason.

“We believed that there must be people who lived locally who could meet the need for care, which would support the work of government agencies, reducing the cost of services provided and helping people live independently in their homes for longer. 

“So just over five years ago we held public meetings and pitched the idea, and our proposals were enthusiastically received by the town.” 

“We've come a long way since those early days – not only have we helped local people become self-employed carers or volunteers, we've also helped people get their ideas off the ground, helping them to develop dementia groups and food and growing projects locally.

"At any one time we believe we are supporting between 120 and 140 clients to stay in their own homes, keeping them close to friends and family.

“This has resulted in nearly £1.4m of previously unclaimed benefits being received by Wivey residents, creating jobs, and stimulating our local economy.” 

Cllr Heather Shearer, Somerset County Council’s executive member for Adult Social Care, said: “In Somerset, we are absolutely committed to giving people choice and control over the care they receive. 

“Whether this is through a wide range of regulated care providers, or via local micro-providers and volunteers. 

 “We also offer choice and flexibility in the way people pay for their care – whether this is by funded care, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, or Direct Payments.

“The Wivey Cares scheme is a great example of the power of our communities."

People who are interested in setting up their own local care scheme can contact communityenterprise@somerset.gov.uk.