Residents of Shottermill House care home in Haslemere have called on MP Greg Stafford to champion a bold, community-driven approach to tackling the crisis in adult social care. Delivering a document titled Empowering Communities to Care to his office, residents and staff outlined how supporting local charities, volunteers, and community initiatives could transform care provision for older people.

More than 1.4 million vulnerable people in the UK lack essential care, facing isolation, poor communication with services, and practical challenges. With nearly 11 million people aged 65 and over in England, Surrey has one of the highest proportions of older residents and lone-person households. Research has linked loneliness to poor health and well-being in older people.

The report, authored by Pilgrims’ Friend Society and supported by 10 other organisations including The Salvation Army and UK Community Foundations, advocates funding “micro-assets” like lunch clubs and befriending services to ease NHS pressure and prevent gaps in care.

Hazel, 83, who lives at Shottermill House, said: “Getting help quickly and easily can make all the difference for older people in Surrey. I’m calling on Greg Stafford MP and the wider government to help make our community a place that is empowered to care. I hope this small step makes a difference.”

Stephen Hammersley, chief executive of Pilgrims’ Friend Society, added: “We all know someone who hasn’t contacted the GP when they needed to. An older person won’t die of a minor ailment, but if they are alone, they may wait and get really ill, with a bad outcome for the person and great cost to the taxpayer.

“There is so much brilliant work already going on, but more could be done. Let’s match the dedication of our older people by championing the efforts of existing local initiatives where there is the potential for the greatest impact.”