Introduction
The Somerset Enterprise Development Team supports very small, community-based care and support services (called Micro-providers) that:
- provide personal, flexible and responsive support and care
- give local people more choice and control over the support they get
- offer a different option to more traditional services
To be a micro-provider they must have eight or fewer paid or unpaid workers and be totally independent of any larger organisation. Examples of micro-services could include:
- support to keep well, socialise and remain independent
- support to people living in their own homes
- short breaks and holidays
- support to access employment, education and leisure
- day support and help around the home
You can find a directory of Somerset community providers on the Connect Somerset website.
Find a micro-provider
Our Brokerage Tool helps families and professionals connect directly with micro-providers who have capacity to provide support.
If you need support to use the tool, please contact Somerset Village Agents. If you have any problems, or feedback regarding the Brokerage Tool please email communityenterprise@somerset.gov.uk
Evidence that it works
Since 2015, we have supported the development of 1250 brand new Micro-providers – and that number is rising.
Together, they provide over 30,000 hours support each week to almost 6,000 people in Somerset.
The project has received more than 2,700 enquiries from people who are currently, or want to set up, small enterprises.
This increased capacity of local, responsive support has meant that:
- people are well-supported at home or in the community by people from their neighbourhood
- people design support together. Creative people on both sides of the care equation find ways to do things differently
- you can find a job nearby, earn money and help your community
- people and families know good support is available. As a result, people come home earlier from hospital. More people choose to use Direct Payments
- people stay connected to their community, contributing and avoiding loneliness
- money is saved as the cost of care delivered by community enterprises is cheaper
How to become a micro-provider
The programme offers help, advice and specialist signposting to anyone with an idea to develop and set up a small service. To be part of the development programme and receive this free support, please visit How to become a Micro-provider.
In exchange for our support, we ask all Micro-providers to commit to the Doing it Right Quality Standard.
All providers registered with Somerset Council are held accountable to these standards through our Quality Assurance Process.
Feedback
Your feedback is essential to the development of the Micro-enterprise Programme.
We want to celebrate and share great stories of support, but equally we want to hear where things have gone wrong or could go better.
If you have used the services of a Community Micro-provider and wish to share your experience, please use this form to feedback to us.