Cornwall Council has been awarded a grant to help residents increase their independence.

The £650k funding has been provided by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), with the long-term aim of increasing people's independence by having  better access to social care services.

The funding will promote multiple projects.

Expectations for the grant include investments being made into 'Carefree', a smartphone app that provides unpaid carers with short respite breaks, and increasing capacity in the 'Shared Lives' programme.

In addition, the substantial grant will go towards providing additional technology-enabled care, like smart sensors monitoring a user's movement, food, and drink intake.

A support planning tool for social care workers is another item on the agenda, providing a more personalised care plan for service users.

Carers looking to find out more about the support available to them can contact Cornwall Carers Service at www.cornwallcarers.org.uk

Cornwall Council cabinet lead for adult social care and health, Cllr Andy Virr, said: "The purpose of this grant is to accelerate progress towards people having more choice and control and support to live independent lives.

"I'm pleased to see that it's supporting some important schemes that help residents who really need it.

"Providing support to carers is vital so giving them easier access to training, while their cared for is also being supported is a great idea, as well as making use of empty hotel rooms to give them a break when they need it."

The grant will operate in collaboration with local organisations, such as Cornwall Carers Service, Shared Lives South West, and Promas.

Mr Dominic Spayne, CEO of Shared Lives South West, said: "We are looking at growing Shared Lives, so there’s a lot of resource we need around marketing, recruitment and research to try to understand where more potential carers are coming from and how can we communicate with them, because it is quite a niche service.

"The council have been really supportive in putting forward the application for funding and I’m excited to give more people the opportunity to experience the benefits of a Shared Lives home."

The award is part of the Accelerating Reform Fund launched by the DHSC to improve and expand adult social care.