The people of Worthing generally have good access to health and social care services. However, residents in some areas enjoy better health than those in other parts of the town, which also have the lowest life expectancy rates and the highest incidence of mental health problems. These can be related to poorer housing as well as lower levels of educational achievement, the environment, poor information and access to services, and lack of social opportunities. The make-up of the population of Worthing indicates a need to develop services to meet the needs of particular groups, including the very elderly.


THE TOWN WE WANT

Every resident will have access to the housing, health, care and support they need to be able to live life to the full, independently and integrated into the community. The gap between the most deprived areas and the most advantaged will have been reduced. Worthing will have a choice of services to meet residents’ health, care and support needs. Everyone, including those most often excluded and the most vulnerable individuals and families, will be able to access the support and services they need. There will be a wide range of affordable housing options for people whether they are low-paid, dependent on pensions, benefits or other financial support, or earning average incomes or above.


WHAT WORTHING TOGETHER IS GOING TO DO NOW

• Develop a range of services to support older people, including intensive home care support and extra care housing.

• Establish a Recovery Project for homeless people with substance misuse problems.

• Set up an inter-agency panel to identify suitable housing for people needing adapted, wheelchair accessible, or other specialised housing.

• Complete a range of surveys and studies assessing housing and housing related support needs in Worthing, and consider how best to tackle sub-standard accommodation.

• Increase awareness and develop a range of services as identified by carers in the Carers’ Action Plan.

• Promote a public health tool kit covering smoking, breast feeding, teenage conception, looked-after children, older people, substance misuse, and major killers such as coronary heart disease and cancer.

• Develop a range of partnership projects to tackle health inequalities.

• Tackle fuel poverty in the most deprived areas by providing grants to help older and more vulnerable residents with their insulation costs.

• Develop new and existing services to support families, children and young people, around mental health, substance misuse, life skills and sexual health.

• Review information services and needs in Worthing.

• Collaborate closely to award and monitor local grants to voluntary organisations.


WHAT WORTHING TOGETHER IS GOING TO DO IN THE LONGER TERM

• Further develop a range of partnership projects to tackle health inequalities.

• Review planning policies and guidance to address Worthing’s housing needs and maximise opportunities to build affordable housing in the town.

• Develop a wide range of independent living options and services for people with care or support needs, including homeless people, older people, young people, people with learning difficulties, mental health service users, people with substance misuse problems, women and families escaping domestic violence, physically disabled people, and all others who may need help to live independently.

• Improve the condition of Worthing’s existing housing stock and bring empty properties back into use as housing.

• Develop an integrated information service.


HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

• Respond to any health and housing surveys you receive, and other public consultations.

• Give some time to support the many social service and health projects organised by voluntary and community organisations in the town (make use of the Volunteer Bureau).

• Make healthy choices for yourself, your family and your community.

• Participate in joint community/agency groups to address local issues.


If you wish to get involved in any of these opportunities, please call either :

Community Planning Team Worthing Borough Council Tel : (01903) 221051

Or

Worthing Council for Voluntary Service Tel : (01903) 528620