A new online information hub is helping Leicestershire residents to stay fit, healthy and independent, and provides an access point for immediate support.
The county council-run First Contact Plus enables people to search from their own home through a broad range of wellbeing information which is all in one place.
The support is available by visiting www.firstcontactplus.org.uk
The service includes information and links to organisations which provide support around such topics as health, falls, feeling safe, living independently, debts and benefits, work, learning and volunteering, and families and relationships.
The council is working in partnership with GPs, the police, health organisations, voluntary groups and district and borough councils to deliver the project.
We want our residents to get support as quickly as possible when they need it and First Contact Plus helps them to do exactly that. By working closely with partners, we can help people with multiple issues and, by bringing information into one place, it will make life easier for them as well. We also hope that by bringing together health and social care, we can help to prevent issues becoming more serious in later life.
Person:Councillor Ernie White, county council cabinet member for health
First Contact Plus also signposts people to community groups, national charities and public health services.
Residents who are in need of extra help can use the 'self referral' button to arrange for an adviser to call them to discuss their specific needs and put them in touch with the right people for support.