Please vote for NDTi in the European Social Services Awards 2024

This year the awards focus on promoting inclusive communities and celebrate people and organisations who are transforming services across Europe.

45 organisations from 19 countries have been shortlisted and the winners will be determined through a combination of judges’ scores and public voting.

Cast your vote here.

The Small Supports programme is a consortium of organisations with human rights at their core. Every Small Supports organisation focuses on personalised community-based care and building respectful and reliable relationships. Small Supports organisations help people move away from living in institutions to living a life they choose. Organisations remain small and never walk away during difficult times. These meaningful relationships empower independent living and contribution to the community.

Read more about Small Supports.

Nic Crosby, Small Supports programme lead said: “Over 2000 people with learning disabilities and autistic people in England are in inpatient mental health settings. Why? The right support that cherishes individuality and provides a foundation on which to explore, feel loved and feel included can change someone’s life. There is evidence that people live better lives out of hospital and the impact of that on individuals, their families and their local community is huge. We’re delighted the programme has been recognised in Europe.”

Community Led Support has been helping local areas transform the way they deliver adult social care for the past 10 years. It’s based on the principles of coproduction and collaboration to develop and implement a system-wide, strengths-based approach to change. In 2022 we started working with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) at the University of Birmingham to independently evaluate the programme. The report was recently published and showcased the impact of the programme.

Read more about the Community Led Support evaluation.

Jenny Pitts, Community Led Support programme lead said: “Over the last 10 years we’ve had the immense privilege of working with over 35 areas across the UK and the programme is developed on collective learning of what makes a difference where it matters. It’s not driven by legislation and tested business cases, it’s governed by values and working differently together. We were delighted to collaborate with NIHR at the University of Birmingham on this independent evaluation which spotlights an approach where everyone benefits.”

The shortlisted organisations will be celebrated, and winners for each category announced, at an awards ceremony in Lisbon on 4-5 November.