Think Local Act Personal
We’re a network of people and organisations working to make health and social care more personalised, so that everybody can live life their way. thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk
- "Underfunded, short-term care does not save money." This is what Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE had to say when he was asked the question "In 2026, how do we make the economics of care fair for everyone?" (page 30) buff.ly/aPZ8O0L
- Our partner @scie.org.uk has published a new report, Towards a National Care Service: raising national standards of care, which looks at how national standards could improve adult social care across England. Find out more buff.ly/ElH98qq
- We're delighted to be sponsoring 'Commissioning for the Future of Social Care', a one-day national conference bringing together senior commissioners, providers, system leaders, and innovators who are reshaping how adult social care is designed, commissioned, and delivered.
- The event tackles one of the most urgent challenges in social care today: how to build trust-based, neighbourhood-focused care systems that are both person-centred and financially sustainable.
- Delegates will hear directly from councils, providers, and people with lived experience who are demonstrating that values-led, relationship-based approaches deliver stronger outcomes and better value for money.
- It’s a day for real learning, honest conversations, and practical collaboration shaping what the next phase of reform should look like. Learn more and sign up at: buff.ly/GldLOPL
- The Government has launched a new Independent Disability Advisory Panel, bringing together ten people with lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions to help shape national health and disability policy. Find out more buff.ly/9ts3uQT
- With the new Disability Advisory Panel and the Timms Review, both including people with lived experience, more policy decisions will be shaped by the people they affect. Is the message getting through that lived experience is essential to making policy work? What do you think?
- Direct payments can be life-changing — especially when traditional services don’t reflect people’s cultures, identities or lived realities. This blog shares lived experience of how direct payments enable dignity, choice and truly culturally competent support:
- This is what people living with dementia told us when we asked them what matters to their wellbeing. At the heart of all of us lies the fundamental human desire to keep doing the things that give life meaning. Yet current UK policy still centres on the disease, not the person.
- We’re proud to share a hopeful vision for care and support that promotes the wellbeing of people living with dementia through community development, social innovation, and personalised support. As well as practical actions to make this vision a reality. 👇 buff.ly/jrjeHcf
- The Government has launched a new Disability Advisory Panel, bringing together 10 people with lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions to shape national health and disability policy. Among those appointed is Isaac Samuels OBE, Co-Chair of TLAP's Board.
- Making It Real was created to be woven into the everyday life around people’s care and support. By using Making It Real as a golden thread for regulation, the Care Quality Commission is sending a clear message: quality oversight must start with what matters to people.
- Our upcoming webinar builds on this work, focusing on how Direct Payments can support people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities. 📅 Unlocking the power of Direct Payments for the global majority 🕛 27 Jan | 12–1pm Book now: buff.ly/HpFV7aZ
- What does good leadership feel like to you? We’ve been exploring what it really means for care and support to be well-led. One message came through loud and clear: Leadership doesn’t sit at the top, it belongs to all of us. Fiona Flowers shares her thoughts on leadership buff.ly/ZMv10sV
- Here are 5 top tips for bringing lived experience into commissioning spaces, from Isaac Samuels OBE: 1. Show up as yourself because real honesty is what changes the room. 2. Invest in relationships because co-production only works when trust grows.
- 3. Give space for emotions because lived experience is never neutral. 4. Offer real influence not just a seat at the table. 5. Keep learning because co-production is always evolving and so are we. More insights from Isaac buff.ly/5Pym6Nf
- Making It Real is a set of co-produced statements that describe what good care and support looks like. They're aligned to the Care Act, and built in to the Care Quality Commission's Assessment Framework. You can use Making It Real to spark ideas that improve lives. See how at makingitreal.org.uk
- As we set priorities for 2026, lots of us will talk about co-production. But a harder question is: where are we on the ladder towards it? This new year, let’s explore further along the ladder. Because co-production isn’t a short-term project, it’s a long-term relationship.
- What do we mean when we say “global majority” – and why does it matter? The term is often used to describe people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities, while also recognising that globally, these communities are not a minority at all.
- For many, it offers a more accurate and empowering way to talk about race and power. At the same time, the term isn’t perfect. It can risk flattening very different experiences and identities into a single label – which is why nuance and lived experience matter.
- In our upcoming webinar, we’ll explore how Direct Payments can better support people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities, through culturally appropriate, person-led approaches shaped by real stories and real lives.
- 📅 Unlocking the power of Direct Payments for the global majority 🕛 27 January | 12–1pm Book at: buff.ly/HpFV7aZ
- Unlocking the power of Direct Payments for the global majority 📅 27 Jan Explore how Direct Payments can better support people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities through culturally appropriate, strengths-based approaches rooted in real experience: buff.ly/HpFV7aZ
- We're challenging everyday terms that get in the way of a person-centred approach to care and support, where people are recognised as equal citizens and have choice and control over the care they draw on to live the life they want. Explore our Language Hub to learn more buff.ly/kG5dhlq
- Do you believe that everyone should have the care and support they need to live well and do more of what matters to them? If so, we'd love to connect. Sign up to our mailing list to get the latest insights, updates, and practical resources, so you can stay informed and inspired: buff.ly/yvntWLn
- Earlier this year we posted our 2024-2025 highlights. From co-producing ethical AI principles to shaping new leadership visions, we’ve been busy working across organisations, roles, and borders to build a more personalised, inclusive and ethical future for health and social care. buff.ly/ntBURGu
- As the year draws to a close, we want to say a big thank you to everyone we’ve worked with – partners, colleagues and friends. Your commitment to choice, control and person-centred support continues to inspire us, and we’re grateful to be working alongside you. Season’s greetings from all of us.
- For many people, the way health and social care works can make it hard for them to live the life they want. But change is possible. We see it when people are listened to, and when care and support is shaped around real lives, not rigid systems.
- As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back. Together with our partners, we’ve kept pushing for personalised care and support that helps people live the life they choose, not the life that fits a system.
- These photos are just a snapshot of the conversations, collaborations and moments that shaped our year. Thank you to everyone who shared their time, experience and energy with us. Here’s to carrying this learning forward, and to another year of striving for better, together.
- What does good care and support look like? People who draw on care and support and those who work in it came together to co-produce 86 statements that answer this question. See how you can bring Making It Real to life at www.makingitreal.org.uk #MakingItReal
- Who do you follow on Bluesky for thoughtful takes on adult social care?
- How can changing the way we communicate about adult social care help people truly understand it, and back the changes we all want to see? If you’ve ever wondered “How do I explain this so that people will connect with it” then these resources are for you.
- Isaac Samuels OBE's share their 5 top tips for bringing lived experience into commissioning spaces buff.ly/qQ8IKW7
- These are some of the questions that are encouraged with person-centred thinking in social care. We’ve brought together a pack of simple tools designed to help people take more control over their care and support, and to help others understand what really matters to them. Have a look bit.ly/4iL8QPg
- There are no losers in co-production.
- Reflections from Jennifer Pearl on attending NCASC show how the right care and support enables people with lived experience to contribute, share expertise, and shape the future of social care. It’s a reminder: if we value co-production, access must be built in, not an afterthought. buff.ly/KdPcgho
- Our Understanding Direct Payments video series is now available for local authorities and care organisations to embed in their own e-learning platforms. 📩 Request the video files here: buff.ly/E1fndmR
- The future of adult social care relies on public understanding. So how can we shifting the way we talk to build understanding and strengthen support for investment and reform? If you want to communicate about social care in a way that connects, these resources will help: bit.ly/3KINLs5
- NCAG member Jennifer Pearl shares her reflections on what it really takes to be in the room, and why good care and support is the difference between being able to contribute and being excluded. buff.ly/KdPcgho
- We’re sharing a short blog from Kate Sibthorp, reflecting on the life of Jim Thomas and the work they co-produced together to show what good care and support looks like for the workforce and for people who draw on care and support. buff.ly/xS2gg1v
- Jim Thomas was a long-standing friend, ally, and partner, who shaped much of the work we care about today. Jim passed away on 9 November 2025, and his loss is felt deeply. He brought heart, clarity, and conviction, always reminding us that people and relationships come first.
- Paula: “Because I’m disabled, I get risk assessed for things other people just go and do.” Direct Payments are supposed to mean freedom and choice. But are they perceived as too risky to champion? Join our webinar, Tue 16 Dec: 🔗 buff.ly/EcfP0ce
- And that's it for another year at #NCASC25. We’re ending the week full of hope for the future of adult social care. Better lives for people who draw on care and support? Let's make it real.
- We're starting day three from the big stage. Rich Amos and Kate Jopling are talking Adult Social Care Reform #NCASC25
- It's the third and final day of #NCASC25 What a week it's been! Full of energy, ideas, and people who want to make things better. We're wrapping up the week with one final session: 🟣 Explore all-age neighbourhood care, closer to home, joined-up services (11:50–12:35, Solent Hall)
- #NCASC25 continues, and so does our mission for real co-production to be at the heart of real change, so more people can live their life their way.
- Reflecting on day 1 of #NCASC25, we’re reminded why our mission matters. Thank you to everyone who presented, took part in discussions, and shared experiences. You set the tone for a hopeful and people-focused conference. Now it’s time to take that energy and curiosity into day 2!
- Day 2 #NCASC25, here we go! Today, the sessions we'll be part of are: 🟣Aligning change agendas in adult social care reform 🟣Fair Pay Agreement in adult social care 🟣Plenary session with the Minister of State for Care 🟣The shifting community vs detention threshold Full schedule 👉
