Casey Commission connects with people we support

Certitude welcomed members of the Casey Commission team on Wednesday 20 August as part of a day of visits in Lambeth – one of London’s most innovative boroughs for community-based and mental health support.

The visit was part of the Commission’s national effort to explore how adult social care in England can be made better and fairer for everyone, including how a National Care Service might work. By gathering insights from people and organisations across the country, the Commission aims to shape a future where care is built around people’s needs, not just budgets. 

During their visit, the group spent time at Certitude’s Connect & Do, a vibrant, community programme led by people with lived experience. Offering a mix of activities including art, music, and gardening, it’s open to everyone in the local area and designed to help people connect, build friendships, and explore new interests. Lorna shared how she’s formed genuine friendships through the programme, and how learning new skills like sewing and embroidery has empowered her to teach and inspire others in the wider community.

They later met with people with learning disabilities to hear first-hand what life is like for then and how person-centred support helps them to live fulfilling, independent lives. People shared their personal stories, challenges, and aspirations, offering insight into what good support looks like and why it matters. Gabriel shared about his love for Brazilian music, while his mother highlighted the need for additional funding to further sustain community-run activities beyond Certitude’s support, activities that help people discover and pursue their interests.

As a partner of Living Well Network Alliance, the team also learned more about how we are delivering lasting change to Lambeth residents, from peer-led support through Solidarity in a Crisis, to short-term mental health support in supported housing. Andrew, who enjoys his independence, spoke about how cycling and football help him to stay active and support his wellbeing, made possible thanks to Certitude’s person-led support which is there whenever he needs it. 

Aisling Duffy, Certitude’s Chief Executive, said:

“As a leading not-for-profit social care provider in London, it was a privilege to welcome the Casey Commission team and share how we support people to live fulfilling lives in their communities. With over 35 years of experience and a strong presence in Lambeth, we have seen first-hand how person-centred, community-based support can transform lives. 

“We were proud to showcase our community programmes like Connect & Do and Solidarity in a Crisis which reflect our belief that social care is much more than just support – it is about people, connections, aspirations, and belonging. 

“We also talked about the pressures we face – the rising need for support, increasing costs, and a lack of consistent long-term funding is making it harder to deliver the high-quality support people deserve. Without investment and appropriate uplifts to rates, the pressure on our teams, the people we support, and their families/carers continues to grow.

“Most importantly, today was about people sharing their stories, hopes, and the kind of support that truly matters - they brought to life the realities behind the policies. We are hopeful that as the Commission begins it journey to identify a fairer, more sustainable system they will ensure that those who draw on support, and their families and loved ones, are at the heart of any change.” 

The visit was part of a wider effort by More Than a Provider, a group of six non-profit organisations to ensure that the voices of people are central to shaping the future of adult social care. Supporting people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and mental health needs, the partnership includes Certitude, Brandon Trust, Dimensions, Choice Support, MacIntyre, and United Response.

To find out more about the Casey Commission review visit: https://caseycommission.co.uk/