About us
What is Care Network?
Care Network supports vulnerable people to live independently by providing access to affordable, quality assured, day-to-day services. Care Network was launched in March 2003, and has now met more than 6,850 service requests, meeting the needs of over 4300 vulnerable people.
Who are Care Network’s Customers?
Care Network supports vulnerable adults of all ages and their carers who live in Blackburn with Darwen. Customers include many older people, people with a physical disability or learning disability, and people with a mental health problem. Care Network supports people to live independently and encourages social inclusion through the provision of quallity assured services.
Why Care Network?
Quality Assurance is an important part of Care Network services and we continuously monitor service requests from customers and will locate or develop new services as a need becomes apparent.The services are quality assured and affordable, so people are able to use the services in the confidence that the best of service from a reliable provider.
Care Network does not itself provide services, but identifies the gaps in the market, and seeks to fill them by supporting the expansion of existing provision, or the development of new services where services would not otherwise be developed. In the process, Care Network ensures that quality standards and affordability criteria are met. Partner organizations have responded to meet the priority needs, frequently setting up not-for-profit social enterprise.
Lower frequency requests for services are often met by developing Care Network ‘Approved Providers’, usually private businesses which have been approached and have passed the Quality Assurance standards. Builders, decorators, aerial fitters, mobile hairdressers and locksmiths are amongst the approved providers.
Care Network responds to need. Since March 2003, all requests for services have been recorded by the Helpdesk. The most frequently requested services are as follows:
| Service: |
|
Provided by: |
| Home Maintenance and Repair (plumbing, gas, electrical, joinery, roofing, building repairs, central heating, decorating) |
|
Churches Action, Approved Builders, Approved Electricians, Approved Decorators |
| Gardening |
|
Rainbow Gardening |
| Cleaning |
|
Prestige Cleaning |
| Benefits Advice (a free service) |
|
Age Concern Advice & Information; Welfare Rights; CAB |
| Assisted Shopping |
|
WRVS, Prestige |
| Befriending Service (a free service) |
|
Age Concern |
| Luncheon Clubs |
|
WRVS |
