P3 Charity delivers the Older People’s Visiting Support Service across Cambridgeshire, commissioned by Cambridgeshire County Council to help people aged 65 and over to access the support they need to stay independent, safe and connected to their communities. The service provides free practical advice, guidance and longer-term support through community hubs and home visits. Last year, 1,600 older people used the service, accessing support with finances, housing, health and wellbeing, home adaptations and reducing social isolation. At the heart of the service is a simple belief: with the right support, older people can continue to live independently, maintain their wellbeing and remain active members of their communities. The challenge Many older people face challenges that can affect their independence and quality of life. Financial pressures, poor health, difficulties accessing services, loneliness and concerns about safety can all have a significant impact on wellbeing. Without early support, these challenges can lead to increased reliance on health and care services, hospital admissions, residential care placements and greater social isolation. P3’s Older People’s Visiting Support Service helps people overcome these barriers, supporting them to stay safe, healthy and independent in their own homes for as long as possible. Innovation in public service delivery P3’s approach focuses on helping older people build confidence, develop new skills and strengthen connections within their local communities. Rather than creating dependency on services, the team works alongside people to identify opportunities, build resilience and access support networks that continue long after support ends. By connecting people with voluntary and community organisations, the service helps create stronger communities where people feel valued, connected and supported. This year, the service has launched a new initiative, the Older People’s Digital Inclusion Project, providing tailored support to help people gain confidence using technology, access online services safely and stay connected with family, friends and their communities. How the service was designed and developed The service is delivered through a flexible model that combines community-based support with longer-term visiting support in people’s homes. Mobile community hubs operate across East Cambridgeshire, Fenland and Huntingdonshire providing advice, guidance and short-term support in accessible local venues. Referrals are open to everyone, ensuring people can access help when they need it. For those requiring more intensive support, visiting support workers provide personalised support in people’s homes for up to six months, helping them navigate challenges and achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves, whether that’s getting out more or receiving support to access healthcare services. The service has been delivered in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council since 2021 and continues to evolve in response to the needs of local communities. Impact metrics During 2025/26, the service achieved significant outcomes for older people across Cambridgeshire: 1,046 people received support to communicate with other agencies. 1,032 people were referred or signposted to additional support. 766 people received support to access or manage benefits claims. 667 people were supported with Blue Badge applications. 654 people were supported to access healthcare services. 447 people received advocacy and liaison support. 337 people were supported to access, reclaim or reinstate benefits. 302 people reported increased self-confidence and self-esteem. 302 people received support to improve their personal safety. 262 people received support to improve the safety of their home. How this contributes to sustainable economic growth and other government priorities The service supports preventative approaches across health and social care by helping people access the right support at the right time. By improving home safety, supporting access to healthcare and helping people maximise their income, the service helps reduce the risk of accidents, avoidable hospital admissions and increased reliance on residential care. It also enables older people to remain active, connected and independent within their communities, reducing pressure on statutory services and improving overall wellbeing. Through early intervention and practical support, the service contributes to healthier communities and more sustainable public services. Specific policy changes that would help scale this approach more widely Earlier investment in preventative community-based services would enable more older people to access support before challenges reach crisis point. Long-term commissioning arrangements and greater investment in digital inclusion, community support and voluntary sector partnerships would help more people maintain their independence and wellbeing as they age. What next? • More case studies of prevention in public service delivery
P3 Charity delivers the Older People’s Visiting Support Service across Cambridgeshire, commissioned by Cambridgeshire County Council to help people aged 65 and over to access the support they need to stay independent, safe and connected to their communities. The service provides free practical advice, guidance and longer-term support through community hubs and home visits. Last year, 1,600 older people used the service, accessing support with finances, housing, health and wellbeing, home adaptations and reducing social isolation. At the heart of the service is a simple belief: with the right support, older people can continue to live independently, maintain their wellbeing and remain active members of their communities. The challenge Many older people face challenges that can affect their independence and quality of life. Financial pressures, poor health, difficulties accessing services, loneliness and concerns about safety can all have a significant impact on wellbeing. Without early support, these challenges can lead to increased reliance on health and care services, hospital admissions, residential care placements and greater social isolation. P3’s Older People’s Visiting Support Service helps people overcome these barriers, supporting them to stay safe, healthy and independent in their own homes for as long as possible. Innovation in public service delivery P3’s approach focuses on helping older people build confidence, develop new skills and strengthen connections within their local communities. Rather than creating dependency on services, the team works alongside people to identify opportunities, build resilience and access support networks that continue long after support ends. By connecting people with voluntary and community organisations, the service helps create stronger communities where people feel valued, connected and supported. This year, the service has launched a new initiative, the Older People’s Digital Inclusion Project, providing tailored support to help people gain confidence using technology, access online services safely and stay connected with family, friends and their communities. How the service was designed and developed The service is delivered through a flexible model that combines community-based support with longer-term visiting support in people’s homes. Mobile community hubs operate across East Cambridgeshire, Fenland and Huntingdonshire providing advice, guidance and short-term support in accessible local venues. Referrals are open to everyone, ensuring people can access help when they need it. For those requiring more intensive support, visiting support workers provide personalised support in people’s homes for up to six months, helping them navigate challenges and achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves, whether that’s getting out more or receiving support to access healthcare services. The service has been delivered in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council since 2021 and continues to evolve in response to the needs of local communities. Impact metrics During 2025/26, the service achieved significant outcomes for older people across Cambridgeshire: 1,046 people received support to communicate with other agencies. 1,032 people were referred or signposted to additional support. 766 people received support to access or manage benefits claims. 667 people were supported with Blue Badge applications. 654 people were supported to access healthcare services. 447 people received advocacy and liaison support. 337 people were supported to access, reclaim or reinstate benefits. 302 people reported increased self-confidence and self-esteem. 302 people received support to improve their personal safety. 262 people received support to improve the safety of their home. How this contributes to sustainable economic growth and other government priorities The service supports preventative approaches across health and social care by helping people access the right support at the right time. By improving home safety, supporting access to healthcare and helping people maximise their income, the service helps reduce the risk of accidents, avoidable hospital admissions and increased reliance on residential care. It also enables older people to remain active, connected and independent within their communities, reducing pressure on statutory services and improving overall wellbeing. Through early intervention and practical support, the service contributes to healthier communities and more sustainable public services. Specific policy changes that would help scale this approach more widely Earlier investment in preventative community-based services would enable more older people to access support before challenges reach crisis point. Long-term commissioning arrangements and greater investment in digital inclusion, community support and voluntary sector partnerships would help more people maintain their independence and wellbeing as they age. What next? • More case studies of prevention in public service delivery