The Bolton Supporting People programme was inspected in February 2006 by the Audit Commission. We were assessed as providing an Excellent Service with Excellent Prospects for Improvement.

Our programme was also selected by Communities and Local Government as Regional Champions, along with Torbay, for Service User Involvement 2007/2008.

The Government department, headed by Secretary of State Ruth Kelly, has awarded Regional Champion status to just 10 local authorities, covering nine subject areas.

We pay for housing related support via support organisations, such as Anchor Housing, Bolton at Home, BASE, Mencap and Making Space, as well as a variety of others.

Since forming in 2003, the scheme has built up a strong network of people benefiting from the service, who in turn have helped other people in the same situation.

We have developed and enhanced our service user involvement by forming the Community Expert Panel, which includes representatives from all client groups who help to improve the services on offer.

The group meets every four to six weeks and work includes creative and arts-based projects, such as role-play and drama.

Please click here for further details on the development of service user involvement in Bolton.