Think Local Act Personal
@tlap.bsky.social
We’re a network of people and organisations working to make health and social care more personalised, so that everybody can live life their way. thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk
A single word can help someone feel respected, or make them feel invisible.
The language used in policy shapes people's everyday lives.
Practical tips, examples, and reflections on language in health and social care are all on the TLAP Language Hub buff.ly/tPgV4GO #LanguageMatters
The language used in policy shapes people's everyday lives.
Practical tips, examples, and reflections on language in health and social care are all on the TLAP Language Hub buff.ly/tPgV4GO #LanguageMatters
February 18, 2026 at 8:01 AM
A single word can help someone feel respected, or make them feel invisible.
The language used in policy shapes people's everyday lives.
Practical tips, examples, and reflections on language in health and social care are all on the TLAP Language Hub buff.ly/tPgV4GO #LanguageMatters
The language used in policy shapes people's everyday lives.
Practical tips, examples, and reflections on language in health and social care are all on the TLAP Language Hub buff.ly/tPgV4GO #LanguageMatters
Remember the empty shelves in 2020? Direct Payments are the same: the money isn’t much use if there’s nothing meaningful to spend it on.
Community Catalysts set out 3 changes we need to make to bring real choice and control to life: buff.ly/9eEyCXd
Community Catalysts set out 3 changes we need to make to bring real choice and control to life: buff.ly/9eEyCXd
February 17, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Remember the empty shelves in 2020? Direct Payments are the same: the money isn’t much use if there’s nothing meaningful to spend it on.
Community Catalysts set out 3 changes we need to make to bring real choice and control to life: buff.ly/9eEyCXd
Community Catalysts set out 3 changes we need to make to bring real choice and control to life: buff.ly/9eEyCXd
Knowing your rights means having clear, accessible information and advice to understand your options, ask questions, and make choices that work for you.
That’s what Making It Real points us towards.
Making sure people have information that actually helps them live life their way. buff.ly/u0lNMvd
That’s what Making It Real points us towards.
Making sure people have information that actually helps them live life their way. buff.ly/u0lNMvd
February 16, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Knowing your rights means having clear, accessible information and advice to understand your options, ask questions, and make choices that work for you.
That’s what Making It Real points us towards.
Making sure people have information that actually helps them live life their way. buff.ly/u0lNMvd
That’s what Making It Real points us towards.
Making sure people have information that actually helps them live life their way. buff.ly/u0lNMvd
This week we kicked off a new Community of Practice bringing together four local areas to build meaningful co-production infrastructure – using Making It Real to move from theory to lived reality. Learn more:
Building co-production that’s real, not just talk: Our Community of Practice kicks off - TLAP
Fiona Flowers talks about our new community of practice, bringing together four local areas to explore how we can build meaningful co-production infrastructure and use Making It Real to move from…
buff.ly
February 13, 2026 at 10:51 AM
This week we kicked off a new Community of Practice bringing together four local areas to build meaningful co-production infrastructure – using Making It Real to move from theory to lived reality. Learn more:
This quote from Isaac is an important reminder that social care is about people showing up every day with integrity, courage, and love.
We're grateful to stand alongside people who quietly (and not so quietly) change lives.
Who do you feel proud to work alongside?
We're grateful to stand alongside people who quietly (and not so quietly) change lives.
Who do you feel proud to work alongside?
February 12, 2026 at 8:51 AM
This quote from Isaac is an important reminder that social care is about people showing up every day with integrity, courage, and love.
We're grateful to stand alongside people who quietly (and not so quietly) change lives.
Who do you feel proud to work alongside?
We're grateful to stand alongside people who quietly (and not so quietly) change lives.
Who do you feel proud to work alongside?
VIDEO | Jacqui talks about why having a Personal Assistant with a similar culture is important to her. Watch the full webinar here: buff.ly/tvqQv4X
February 11, 2026 at 10:52 AM
VIDEO | Jacqui talks about why having a Personal Assistant with a similar culture is important to her. Watch the full webinar here: buff.ly/tvqQv4X
What does 'good' really look like in adult social care? The Making It Real ‘I statements’ are one way of exploring that, through the words and experiences of people who draw on care and support.
They’re a powerful way to start conversations that can lead to real change. buff.ly/9ZUl2l0
They’re a powerful way to start conversations that can lead to real change. buff.ly/9ZUl2l0
February 10, 2026 at 4:02 PM
What does 'good' really look like in adult social care? The Making It Real ‘I statements’ are one way of exploring that, through the words and experiences of people who draw on care and support.
They’re a powerful way to start conversations that can lead to real change. buff.ly/9ZUl2l0
They’re a powerful way to start conversations that can lead to real change. buff.ly/9ZUl2l0
If you’re trying to build public understanding and strengthen support for investment and reform in social care, these two resources are definitely worth bookmarking:
🟣 How to talk about social care (research)
🟣 5 tips to help you talk about adult social care
buff.ly/ZlvELGj
🟣 How to talk about social care (research)
🟣 5 tips to help you talk about adult social care
buff.ly/ZlvELGj
February 9, 2026 at 9:30 AM
If you’re trying to build public understanding and strengthen support for investment and reform in social care, these two resources are definitely worth bookmarking:
🟣 How to talk about social care (research)
🟣 5 tips to help you talk about adult social care
buff.ly/ZlvELGj
🟣 How to talk about social care (research)
🟣 5 tips to help you talk about adult social care
buff.ly/ZlvELGj
"Underfunded, short-term care does not save money."
This is what Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE had to say when he was asked the question "In 2026, how do we make the economics of care fair for everyone?"
(page 30) buff.ly/aPZ8O0L
This is what Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE had to say when he was asked the question "In 2026, how do we make the economics of care fair for everyone?"
(page 30) buff.ly/aPZ8O0L
February 5, 2026 at 7:01 AM
"Underfunded, short-term care does not save money."
This is what Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE had to say when he was asked the question "In 2026, how do we make the economics of care fair for everyone?"
(page 30) buff.ly/aPZ8O0L
This is what Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE had to say when he was asked the question "In 2026, how do we make the economics of care fair for everyone?"
(page 30) buff.ly/aPZ8O0L
Our partner @scie.org.uk has published a new report, Towards a National Care Service: raising national standards of care, which looks at how national standards could improve adult social care across England.
Find out more buff.ly/ElH98qq
Find out more buff.ly/ElH98qq
February 4, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Our partner @scie.org.uk has published a new report, Towards a National Care Service: raising national standards of care, which looks at how national standards could improve adult social care across England.
Find out more buff.ly/ElH98qq
Find out more buff.ly/ElH98qq
We're delighted to be sponsoring 'Commissioning for the Future of Social Care', a one-day national conference bringing together senior commissioners, providers, system leaders, and innovators who are reshaping how adult social care is designed, commissioned, and delivered.
February 3, 2026 at 10:51 AM
We're delighted to be sponsoring 'Commissioning for the Future of Social Care', a one-day national conference bringing together senior commissioners, providers, system leaders, and innovators who are reshaping how adult social care is designed, commissioned, and delivered.
The Government has launched a new Independent Disability Advisory Panel, bringing together ten people with lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions to help shape national health and disability policy.
Find out more buff.ly/9ts3uQT
Find out more buff.ly/9ts3uQT
February 2, 2026 at 8:30 AM
The Government has launched a new Independent Disability Advisory Panel, bringing together ten people with lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions to help shape national health and disability policy.
Find out more buff.ly/9ts3uQT
Find out more buff.ly/9ts3uQT
With the new Disability Advisory Panel and the Timms Review, both including people with lived experience, more policy decisions will be shaped by the people they affect.
Is the message getting through that lived experience is essential to making policy work? What do you think?
Is the message getting through that lived experience is essential to making policy work? What do you think?
January 29, 2026 at 9:29 AM
With the new Disability Advisory Panel and the Timms Review, both including people with lived experience, more policy decisions will be shaped by the people they affect.
Is the message getting through that lived experience is essential to making policy work? What do you think?
Is the message getting through that lived experience is essential to making policy work? What do you think?
Direct payments can be life-changing — especially when traditional services don’t reflect people’s cultures, identities or lived realities.
This blog shares lived experience of how direct payments enable dignity, choice and truly culturally competent support:
This blog shares lived experience of how direct payments enable dignity, choice and truly culturally competent support:
Direct Payments and the power of culturally competent care - TLAP
For many of us from the global majority, traditional support services don’t always meet our needs. They often come with assumptions, rigid structures, or a
buff.ly
January 28, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Direct payments can be life-changing — especially when traditional services don’t reflect people’s cultures, identities or lived realities.
This blog shares lived experience of how direct payments enable dignity, choice and truly culturally competent support:
This blog shares lived experience of how direct payments enable dignity, choice and truly culturally competent support:
This is what people living with dementia told us when we asked them what matters to their wellbeing.
At the heart of all of us lies the fundamental human desire to keep doing the things that give life meaning. Yet current UK policy still centres on the disease, not the person.
At the heart of all of us lies the fundamental human desire to keep doing the things that give life meaning. Yet current UK policy still centres on the disease, not the person.
January 27, 2026 at 5:03 PM
This is what people living with dementia told us when we asked them what matters to their wellbeing.
At the heart of all of us lies the fundamental human desire to keep doing the things that give life meaning. Yet current UK policy still centres on the disease, not the person.
At the heart of all of us lies the fundamental human desire to keep doing the things that give life meaning. Yet current UK policy still centres on the disease, not the person.
The Government has launched a new Disability Advisory Panel, bringing together 10 people with lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions to shape national health and disability policy. Among those appointed is Isaac Samuels OBE, Co-Chair of TLAP's Board.
New Independent Disability Advisory Panel to put lived experience at the heart of policy - TLAP
The Government has announced the first members of its new Independent Disability Advisory Panel, bringing together ten people with lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions to…
buff.ly
January 26, 2026 at 2:29 PM
The Government has launched a new Disability Advisory Panel, bringing together 10 people with lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions to shape national health and disability policy. Among those appointed is Isaac Samuels OBE, Co-Chair of TLAP's Board.
Making It Real was created to be woven into the everyday life around people’s care and support. By using Making It Real as a golden thread for regulation, the Care Quality Commission is sending a clear message: quality oversight must start with what matters to people.
January 23, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Making It Real was created to be woven into the everyday life around people’s care and support. By using Making It Real as a golden thread for regulation, the Care Quality Commission is sending a clear message: quality oversight must start with what matters to people.
Our upcoming webinar builds on this work, focusing on how Direct Payments can support people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities.
📅 Unlocking the power of Direct Payments for the global majority
🕛 27 Jan | 12–1pm
Book now: buff.ly/HpFV7aZ
📅 Unlocking the power of Direct Payments for the global majority
🕛 27 Jan | 12–1pm
Book now: buff.ly/HpFV7aZ
January 21, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Our upcoming webinar builds on this work, focusing on how Direct Payments can support people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities.
📅 Unlocking the power of Direct Payments for the global majority
🕛 27 Jan | 12–1pm
Book now: buff.ly/HpFV7aZ
📅 Unlocking the power of Direct Payments for the global majority
🕛 27 Jan | 12–1pm
Book now: buff.ly/HpFV7aZ
What does good leadership feel like to you? We’ve been exploring what it really means for care and support to be well-led.
One message came through loud and clear: Leadership doesn’t sit at the top, it belongs to all of us.
Fiona Flowers shares her thoughts on leadership buff.ly/ZMv10sV
One message came through loud and clear: Leadership doesn’t sit at the top, it belongs to all of us.
Fiona Flowers shares her thoughts on leadership buff.ly/ZMv10sV
January 19, 2026 at 10:51 AM
What does good leadership feel like to you? We’ve been exploring what it really means for care and support to be well-led.
One message came through loud and clear: Leadership doesn’t sit at the top, it belongs to all of us.
Fiona Flowers shares her thoughts on leadership buff.ly/ZMv10sV
One message came through loud and clear: Leadership doesn’t sit at the top, it belongs to all of us.
Fiona Flowers shares her thoughts on leadership buff.ly/ZMv10sV
Here are 5 top tips for bringing lived experience into commissioning spaces, from Isaac Samuels OBE:
1. Show up as yourself because real honesty is what changes the room.
2. Invest in relationships because co-production only works when trust grows.
1. Show up as yourself because real honesty is what changes the room.
2. Invest in relationships because co-production only works when trust grows.
January 16, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Here are 5 top tips for bringing lived experience into commissioning spaces, from Isaac Samuels OBE:
1. Show up as yourself because real honesty is what changes the room.
2. Invest in relationships because co-production only works when trust grows.
1. Show up as yourself because real honesty is what changes the room.
2. Invest in relationships because co-production only works when trust grows.
Making It Real is a set of co-produced statements that describe what good care and support looks like.
They're aligned to the Care Act, and built in to the Care Quality Commission's Assessment Framework.
You can use Making It Real to spark ideas that improve lives.
See how at makingitreal.org.uk
They're aligned to the Care Act, and built in to the Care Quality Commission's Assessment Framework.
You can use Making It Real to spark ideas that improve lives.
See how at makingitreal.org.uk
January 15, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Making It Real is a set of co-produced statements that describe what good care and support looks like.
They're aligned to the Care Act, and built in to the Care Quality Commission's Assessment Framework.
You can use Making It Real to spark ideas that improve lives.
See how at makingitreal.org.uk
They're aligned to the Care Act, and built in to the Care Quality Commission's Assessment Framework.
You can use Making It Real to spark ideas that improve lives.
See how at makingitreal.org.uk
As we set priorities for 2026, lots of us will talk about co-production. But a harder question is: where are we on the ladder towards it?
This new year, let’s explore further along the ladder.
Because co-production isn’t a short-term project, it’s a long-term relationship.
This new year, let’s explore further along the ladder.
Because co-production isn’t a short-term project, it’s a long-term relationship.
January 14, 2026 at 2:18 PM
As we set priorities for 2026, lots of us will talk about co-production. But a harder question is: where are we on the ladder towards it?
This new year, let’s explore further along the ladder.
Because co-production isn’t a short-term project, it’s a long-term relationship.
This new year, let’s explore further along the ladder.
Because co-production isn’t a short-term project, it’s a long-term relationship.
What do we mean when we say “global majority” – and why does it matter?
The term is often used to describe people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities, while also recognising that globally, these communities are not a minority at all.
The term is often used to describe people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities, while also recognising that globally, these communities are not a minority at all.
January 13, 2026 at 10:51 AM
What do we mean when we say “global majority” – and why does it matter?
The term is often used to describe people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities, while also recognising that globally, these communities are not a minority at all.
The term is often used to describe people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities, while also recognising that globally, these communities are not a minority at all.
Unlocking the power of Direct Payments for the global majority
📅 27 Jan
Explore how Direct Payments can better support people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities through culturally appropriate, strengths-based approaches rooted in real experience: buff.ly/HpFV7aZ
📅 27 Jan
Explore how Direct Payments can better support people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities through culturally appropriate, strengths-based approaches rooted in real experience: buff.ly/HpFV7aZ
January 7, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Unlocking the power of Direct Payments for the global majority
📅 27 Jan
Explore how Direct Payments can better support people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities through culturally appropriate, strengths-based approaches rooted in real experience: buff.ly/HpFV7aZ
📅 27 Jan
Explore how Direct Payments can better support people who have been racialised as ethnic minorities through culturally appropriate, strengths-based approaches rooted in real experience: buff.ly/HpFV7aZ
We're challenging everyday terms that get in the way of a person-centred approach to care and support, where people are recognised as equal citizens and have choice and control over the care they draw on to live the life they want.
Explore our Language Hub to learn more buff.ly/kG5dhlq
Explore our Language Hub to learn more buff.ly/kG5dhlq
January 6, 2026 at 10:51 AM
We're challenging everyday terms that get in the way of a person-centred approach to care and support, where people are recognised as equal citizens and have choice and control over the care they draw on to live the life they want.
Explore our Language Hub to learn more buff.ly/kG5dhlq
Explore our Language Hub to learn more buff.ly/kG5dhlq