Planning For Your Future campaign shortlisted for major award

A pioneering Surrey County Council campaign supporting residents to plan for the later life they want has been shortlisted for a major public sector award. The campaign is run in partnership with Age UK Surrey and aims to equip people to make informed decisions at a time when they may need extra support.

The Planning for Your Future campaign has been named as a finalist in the Innovation in Children’s and Adults’ Services category at the MJ Awards, sometimes described as the ‘Oscars’ for local government.

A free event programme helps people learn about care and support options, costs of social care and how to stay independent for longer as they get older. Presentations run both online and in person, with regular sessions held in local communities. There’s also a dedicated phone number and an online hub full of useful information, including a handy checklist.

The response to the events has been overwhelmingly positive and engagement continues to grow. More than 2,700 people have now benefited from a Planning for Your Future presentation, either for themselves or on behalf of a relative who they support. Nine in ten of them would recommend attending to others.

Planning for Your Future aims to help those who will need to pay for care themselves or whose family members pay, and is a unique approach to addressing a national issue at a local level.

Research shows that 88 per cent of adults in Surrey are concerned about needing future support and 81 per cent of local people are moderately, or really, concerned, about how they’ll pay for it.

Each year, around 300 to 400 Surrey residents who are paying for their own care run out of money, putting them at risk of having to move to a new care home, or their families needing to contribute a top-up to cover the costs of the home. The proportion of people aged over 65 is forecast to grow by 19 per cent in the next decade.

The campaign aims to get people talking to loved ones and thinking ahead about care options, finances, Powers of Attorney and practical steps to stay independent at home, including equipment and technology. By starting conversations early, people can feel more in control of their future and avoid making rushed decisions in a crisis.

The campaign, which is continuing into the next financial year, is believed to be the first of its kind in the country and has already attracted regional attention. More than 400 people took part in events linked to a ‘Planning for Your Future Day’ on 11 March, including some in other local authorities.

The MJ Awards recognise individuals and programmes within local government which make a difference to the communities they serve. The winners will be announced in June.

Sinead Mooney, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “We’re delighted that our Planning for your Future campaign has been recognised for its proactive and groundbreaking approach to helping residents prepare for later life. Getting early information on support options and how the social care system works means people can have informed conversations with their families, helping them avoid the need to make decisions if a crisis occurs.

“I’d encourage anyone who’s thinking about later life for themselves or a loved one to explore the resources on offer through the campaign. We hope that even more residents will take the opportunity to join a local presentation and feel more confident about planning for a fulfilling and independent later life.”

Catherine Hodgson, Chief Executive Officer for Age UK Surrey added: “Age UK Surrey has been proud to work in such successful partnership with our colleagues at Surrey County Council on the delivery of the Planning for Your Future campaign.

“We know from the feedback and interaction we have had with older people, right across our county, that the campaign has had a significant impact on the way in which they have considered their potential care and support needs and ongoing independence. It has also, crucially, provided confidence and reassurance about starting vital conversations with loved ones.”

To find out more about Planning for Your Future, visit the online hub at www.ageuk.org.uk/surrey/planningforyourfuture, which has lots of useful resources and a calendar of local events.

Age UK Surrey’s dedicated Planning for Your Future phone number is 01483 446627, (text 07593 139560 for those who are hard of hearing), and the email contact is planningforyourfuture@ageuksurrey.org.uk.