1.4 Explain own service’s role in enabling individuals to build and maintain relationships and connections to their community

This guide will help you answer 1.4 Explain own service’s role in enabling individuals to build and maintain relationships and connections to their community.

Building and keeping relationships is central to a good life. Social connections give people a sense of belonging, boost mental health, and reduce feelings of loneliness. Connections to the wider community open doors to new experiences, learning, and support. Your service has a key role in helping individuals build and maintain these relationships and community ties.

Why Community Connections Matter

For people using adult care services, community involvement and personal relationships can:

• Improve wellbeing, confidence, and self-esteem.
• Reduce isolation and risk of depression.
• Strengthen independence.
• Offer opportunities for meaningful activity.
• Develop support networks beyond paid care.

Many individuals may have lost some connections due to health issues, disability, or life changes. Supporting them to rebuild or make new links is an important part of person-centred care.

Understanding Your Service’s Role

As a care provider, your service works not just to meet personal care needs but to support the whole person. This includes fostering relationships with family, friends, and the local community. You play a vital part in helping each person meet their social goals.

Support in this area can include:

• Encouraging and enabling regular visits with family and friends.
• Supporting participation in clubs, groups, or faith communities.
• Helping people access local events, volunteering, or education.
• Working with community organisations to remove barriers.
• Supporting skills such as communication or travel, so people can connect with others.
• Challenging attitudes or systems that might exclude people.

Supporting Individuals to Build Relationships

Staff promote positive relationships by:

• Asking about important people in the individual’s life.
• Including family and friends in care planning meetings if the person wishes.
• Keeping communication open with relatives and close friends.
• Helping individuals maintain regular contact through phone calls, video chats, cards, or letters.
• Encouraging group activities within the service—such as coffee mornings or hobbies—so people can meet others in a safe environment.

Care is always taken to respect the wishes of the individual. Some may wish for privacy or to limit contact with family. The person’s choices should guide all plans and actions.

Enabling Community Connections

Community involvement might mean:

• Attending local social groups or day centres.
• Joining sports, arts, or music groups.
• Taking part in community events, festivals, or classes.
• Volunteering for local charities or causes.
• Visiting places of worship or faith-based activities.
• Accessing public services like libraries, gyms, or theatres.

Your service helps make these connections possible by:

• Arranging safe transport or travel support.
• Providing staff escorts or volunteers where needed.
• Matching people’s interests with local opportunities.
• Working with community partners to develop inclusive activities.
• Advocating to make sure buildings and groups are accessible and welcoming.

Staff can also help people use digital tools—like social media or online groups—if this fits the person’s skills and interests.

Reducing Barriers

People sometimes face barriers to connecting with others or joining in community life. These might include:

• Lack of confidence or social skills.
• Physical barriers, such as inaccessible venues.
• Transport difficulties.
• Low income.
• Discrimination or stigma.

Your service can help by assessing these barriers and working with the person and others to find solutions. For example, arranging training in social skills, helping with mobility aids, or working with the local authority to improve access.

Empowering Independence

Supporting people to connect is not only about making arrangements for them. It is about working with them to build their skills and confidence to participate more independently.

This could involve:

• Providing travel training to use public transport.
• Supporting budgeting and money management.
• Promoting communication skills.
• Encouraging risk-taking in safe, managed ways.
• Celebrating achievements, such as trying a new activity or meeting new people.

Independence is encouraged wherever possible but balanced with the right level of support.

Involvement of Families and Carers

The wishes and knowledge of families and carers are valuable. Your service works to include them by:

• Inviting them to reviews and celebrations if the person agrees.
• Sharing information about activities and opportunities.
• Offering practical help, such as arranging visits or transport.

Supporting relationships with families and carers is part of the service’s wider approach to wellbeing.

Examples in Practice

Some real-life examples include:

• Organising a weekly walking group in the park, open to all service users and local residents.
• Partnering with a community gardening project to offer supported volunteering.
• Supporting a person to rejoin their local choir after a period in hospital.
• Arranging for people to visit shops, cafes, or places of worship in their area.
• Facilitating friendships between individuals with similar interests within the service.

Each action starts with listening to what matters to the person and then using resources and networks to make it happen.

Monitoring and Responding

Your service regularly reviews how well each person is connected to others and the community. This is done through regular keyworker meetings, reviews, and direct feedback from individuals and their network.

If isolation or relationship problems are identified, new plans are made with the person and those important to them.

Promoting a Culture of Inclusion

The organisation works to set a standard where community connection is valued. This means:

• Training staff to understand the impact of social isolation.
• Building links with a variety of community groups and networks.
• Celebrating success—such as people achieving new friendships or becoming community volunteers.
• Challenging staff or systems that limit social and community involvement.

A positive, inclusive culture helps everyone see community participation as part of good care.

Upholding Rights and Choices

Throughout the process, the rights, wishes, and privacy of the individual are respected. Staff do not pressure anyone into unwanted relationships or activities. Instead, they help each person explore what is possible and support their right to choose.

Working with Multi-Agency Partners

Connections to the community can be strengthened by:

• Working with social workers, health teams, and local charities.
• Sharing information about activities and resources.
• Liaising with housing, employment, or advice services to address wider needs.

Joint working helps widen the person’s network and makes access to opportunities easier.

Digital Connections

Modern community can be online as well as face-to-face. Your service enables individuals to:

• Keep in touch using video calls or messaging.
• Join online interest groups or classes.
• Use technology for shopping, learning, or socialising.

Staff provide training and support to use digital tools safely and confidently.

Final Thoughtsc

Your service plays a vital part in enabling individuals to build and maintain relationships and links with their community. This work improves mental health, life satisfaction, and independence. By listening, supporting, removing barriers, and working in partnership with families and communities, your service creates real opportunities for positive, meaningful connections in people’s lives.