The Care Together programme ran for over three years and ended on 31 March 2026, having left a lasting positive impact on older adults and partners in communities across Cambridgeshire. Most of the new and innovative approaches to place-based support, promoting independence, health and wellbeing, have been incorporated into the new 'Business As Usual' model within Adult Social Care Commissioning. This includes our work with Care Micro-Enterprises and continued grant funding for community groups and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations who support adults.
The Care Together Vision
Keeping local people at the heart of everything we do, the council works with communities and partners to design and develop local services that enable our changing population to fulfil their wish to remain independent at home for as long as possible.
As a result:
- finding the right support in the local community is easy
- people remain active and age well, staying socially connected
- volunteers offer a hand e.g. with shopping and gardening
- there are more and better homecare and day opportunities, offering choice and flexibility for all
- council-funded homecare is more personalised and rewarding for everyone involved
- local people benefit from Care Together with better quality of life and a healthy, fair and sustainable Cambridgeshire
To achieve the above vision, we have dedicated place-based commissioners in each locality. The commissioners are building connections with local people and partners to co-design future services.
Our team is supporting the creation and growth of voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs). These will support older people to remain living independently for longer, in collaboration with Communities Service, Health professionals and other partners.
We are reshaping how we commission council-funded homecare to increase local supply. We are also introducing different types of providers into the home care market. For example, Care Micro Enterprises - to increase capacity and choice for all.
Care Micro-Enterprises
Care Micro-Enterprises are local people who are supported to set up their own small businesses. They provide their neighbours with personalised care and support amongst other services that support independence at home.
We offer training and guidance on running such a business. Benefits include:
- longer-lasting relationships between the care worker and their clients (lower turnover)
- opportunities to make a livelihood
- making a difference to people's lives in communities where employment opportunities are often limited
Find out more about Care Micro-Enterprises.
Contact us
Please contact us if you would like any further information.
