The renewal of a service which helps residents remain independent and stay living in their own communities has been approved by Cambridgeshire County Council’s Adults and Health committee today (Thursday 6 March.)
‘Community Navigators’, which has been running since 2012, provides personalised support to older people, residents aged 18 and over with disabilities, and their carers.
A dedicated team of staff and volunteers from Care Network, which currently runs the service on behalf of the council, connects individuals to services, activities, and interventions in their local communities.
The support provided includes:
- Informing people about, and referring them to, relevant activities and services.
- Helping people access information to answer questions and enable them to do things for themselves .
- Supporting people to access activities that enable them to remain independent, safe, and well.
- Reaching out to communities to engage with people who may be eligible for Adult Social Care services.
- Service users can choose to receive support either in the community, at home, or over the ’phone.
Over the last three years, Community Navigators has received nearly 9,000 referrals via the NHS, community and voluntary sector, and the county council’s adult social care service. At today’s committee meeting, members approved the recommissioning of the service via a two-year contract, due to start on 1 October 2025.
Councillor Richard Howitt, chair of the Adults and Health Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Cambridgeshire’s growing and ageing population is expected to increase demand for care and support in the coming years. With an anticipated 47% growth in the county’s over-80 population by 2031, especially in rural areas, this service plays a vital role in promoting independence, improving the health and wellbeing of those it supports, and delaying the need for long-term care from statutory services.
“The Community Navigators service offers a place-based, person-centred approach, signposting people to community-based services to prevent the escalation of health or care needs. Connecting people with their local communities also helps address feelings of loneliness and isolation, which we know from our most recent Quality of Life Survey affects nearly a third of our residents. This service continues to complement other place-based support and builds on the excellent work Care Together is delivering in localities across Cambridgeshire.
“Enabling people to enjoy healthy, safe and independent lives through timely support that is most suited to their needs is a key element of our vision to make Cambridgeshire Greener, Fairer and More Caring.”
Find out more about the Community Navigators: Community Navigators - Care Network
