£60 million package will provide high quality care for adults and help them live more independent lives

Crest cmyk black text 4 Published: Thursday, 9th October 2025

Elderly and vulnerable adults in Stoke-on-Trent will continue to be supported to live healthier and more independent lives thanks to a package of measures worth nearly £60 million.

The Better Care Fund is a national programme, which draws together NHS and council funding, aiming to streamline health and social care services. This funding has been in place since 2015, and each year, the partners review the investment to ensure it is providing high quality care and value for money.

The council's cabinet is set to approve detailed spending measures for 2025/26 at a meeting next week.

That money, worth a total of £59.1 million, would be spent on a range of programmes and services - all aimed at providing high-quality, seamless care and boosting prevention and independent living.

Detailed spending plans include:

  • £8.8 million to provide "home-first" rehabilitation, reablement and recovery services
  • £3.5 million for major aids and adaptations through Disabled Facilities Grants
  • £4.8 million to provide an integrated Dementia Service, delivered by Marrow House (Specialist Dementia Assessment); the Memory Clinic; and Memory Support Service

Other priorities include expanding the council's successful Community Lounges - potentially including out-of-hours or digital lounges to increase access; and developing an Integrated Neighbourhood Team, which will be focussed on targeted early intervention and prevention to support people experiencing mild and moderate frailty

The priorities around the funding support the council’s key principle of creating a healthier city and also ties into its ongoing Live Life to the Max campaign, which signposts people and their loved ones to the support people need to live the most healthy and independent lives possible.

Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for children’s services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “This package of measures is tailored to early prevention and promoting independent living, dignity and choice.

“By working hand in hand with the NHS we are working towards providing a high-quality seamless service across all aspects of adult social care.”