On Friday I visited the Affordable Futures Group at their Belle Vale Care Home residential facility to hear about the work they do supporting residents with learning difficulties and complex mental health needs. They are a not-for-profit charity that supports 880 adults across the North West, including 55 in Liverpool, and employ over 2000 staff.

CEO Ian Pritchard and his team have been providing help and support since 1992, with 80% of their work with people who have learning difficulties. This support is delivered in small hospital settings in local communities, which I saw firsthand in Belle Vale where their residents are supported to live in their own rooms and houses.

As with many care sectors they struggled with cuts during the 14 years of Conservative government and we had a good discussion on how they can look at trying to standardise funding across ICBs that commission their services.

I was pleased to meet some of their staff and residents and hear about the positive outcomes that they have achieved over the last 33 years.