Sue Evans, CEO, Social Care Wales

YOU may have a story to share or you may be interested in applying to be part of a unique citizens’ jury.

Social Care Wales is working with partners to gather evidence about people’s current experiences of social care in Wales as part of the Measuring the Mountain programme.

Measuring the Mountain is looking to understand the early impact of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 on social care in Wales. To do this it is gathering people’s stories of care in Wales.

If you have a story to share, please contact Katie Cooke at kcooke@interlinkrct.org.uk or phone her on 07964 407739.

You may already have seen information about the programme, which is collecting stories until autumn 2018.

As part of the project, the Measuring the Mountain team will be hosting a citizens’ jury at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea between September 24 and 27. This exciting event will see 12 to 15 members of the public, who have been recruited from across Wales, form a jury. The jury will consider the issues that have arisen from the citizen stories collected, by questioning witnesses and examining the evidence.

Each witness will present their evidence about different aspects of social care in Wales.

The witnesses will include people who rely on support from social care organisations; carers and Welsh Government officials who are responsible for creating the legislation and policy for social care; as well as professionals who are responsible for commissioning and providing social care services.

We are using the citizens’ stories to develop themes for the witnesses to present and these will include the priority areas that have emerged.

The jury’s findings will be presented in a report which will include recommendations for the Welsh Government to consider and will feed into the Welsh Government’s three-year evaluation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. The report will also be shared across Wales.

You do not need any special knowledge to be a juror – just a desire to be actively involved in making a difference to social care in Wales.

You will be well supported by the Measuring the Mountain team, and all your relevant out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

You will also earn Time Credits, which can be exchanged for activities and entry to places such as leisure centres and cinemas, in recognition of your involvement and contribution.

The deadline for applications is fast approaching. So if you think you may be interested in taking part, why not contact Katie Cooke, who will provide further details.

Don’t sit on the sidelines – please take this opportunity to have your voice heard and be part of something new for social care in Wales.