SOMERSET County Council is changing the way it delivers Adult Social Care to help the most vulnerable in the area.

The Gazette went along to one of the Adult Social Care's new 'drop-in' sessions in Nether Stowey to find out more.

Chris Denovan, team manager for Adult Social Care in the West Somerset and West Sedgemoor area said that since the organisation had re-evaluated its strategy for delivering services there had been marked improvements.

"My team has been working with the community over the past six months to improve our knowledge of what social care services are available," Mrs Denovan said.

"We have held community events in Nether Stowey and West Somerset to bring together voluntary organisations, providers and health and social care staff to share information in order to support people and find solutions.

"We have built up a database of the information and have created an electronic map which includes information which organisations are available, what services they offer and what areas they cover.

"This information is available to all sorts of organisations so we can create a smooth network of Adult Social Care - GPs have access so if someone has a problem the doctor is unable to deal with, they can point them in the right direction of who to talk to," Mrs Denovan said.

Another part of SCC's new approach is to try and support people so that they can remain independent for as long as possible by helping them to help themselves.

"So what we have been doing is changing the conversations we have with people and rather than focus solely on their difficulties and problems we are taking a 'strength-based approach'," Mrs Denovan said.

"This means staff are now focusing on the things people can do for themselves and then finding who can provide the best support where it is needed.

"Just having a positive mindset going into a conversation about Adult Social Care can make a big difference. We have already seen positives outcomes. It is making a huge difference."

Mrs Denovan said that people can still the Somerset Direct Call Centre for urgent referrals but if it is something that is less time sensitive then we want people should head in for the monthly drop-ins.

The new drop-ins are being held at: n Nether Stowey Church Centre on the second Tuesday of every month between 1pm and 4pm.

n Beckett House in Williton on the first Tuesday of every month between 10am and 1pm.

n The Sanctuary in Watchet on the last Tuesday of every month between 10am and 1pm.

n The Parks in Minehead on the first Friday of every month between 10 and 1pm.

"Now we just need to get the word out there. The Citizens Advice Bureau, Bridgwater District Credit Union and representatives specialising in sensory loss are all here and we want there to be a welcoming atmosphere with tea and cake for people coming in," Mrs Denovan said.