Hampshire Now

Changing lives

Who can Supporting People help?

“I’m not sure where I’d be now if it wasn’t for the Supporting People programme.”

picture of couple outside their home

These are the words of Suzanne, 44, from Basingstoke. Suzanne has Downs Syndrome and after her mother was admitted to hospital Suzanne made the decision that she wanted to live independently.  Suzanne had lived on her own before, but this time things became really difficult: “I found it really hard – I wasn’t looking after myself properly, wasn’t in control of my money and I wasn’t able  to keep my home nice. I thought I would be told I had to live somewhere else. I didn’t want this.”

That’s when Suzanne was put in contact with Gordon Care, one of the providers under the County Council’s Supporting People programme. From this point forward things started to change. Suzanne was supported to claim benefits, which she had not been aware of and this helped sort out her finances. Her appearance and health improved as the result of this support with budgeting, menu planning, shopping and assisting her to maintain her home.

Today, Suzanne is confident and happy.  “I can look after myself and my money properly and do a lot more things now. I have completed a college course, have a part-time job and now have a new partner. I am much happier and am really pleased that I can still live in my own home.”

Suzanne is just one example of how the Supporting People programme can change lives. For more information about the Supporting People programme you can contact the team on 01962 826000, email supporting people or visit the supporting people webpages.

This year, through the Supporting People programme, over 16,000 people in Hampshire have been helped to maintain their independence at home.

Who can Supporting People help?

  • older people who need support to live at home

  • people with learning disabilities, mental health problems or physical disabilities

  • people escaping domestic violence

  • homeless people

  • people with substance misuse problems

  • people at risk of offending and young vulnerable people and teenage parents.