A SERVICE that aims to help vulnerable adults live independently has launched in Leigh.

The unique health and social care support service called uStep, provided by ubu, was launched by Leigh MP Andy Burnham who spoke of the need for social care to change.

He said: "Putting people at the heart of their own communities is basic and allowing them to make the choices they want to live their own lives is an imperative.

“Society has to rethink how we care for people and see them as people rather than patients. I am just delighted that this uStep has opened in Leigh so that local residents get the chance to benefit.

“The uStep model demonstrates that it is especially effective when it comes to supporting the most vulnerable people in leading more independent lives and most importantly enabling them to be an active part of their community.

“This service will not only allow each person it serves to integrate in their local area but enable them to develop their lives in a way that is meaningful to themselves."

The uStep model will provide specialised health and social care and support for 12 vulnerable adults, helping them gain greater independence and integration at the heart of their chosen communities.

One user, Hayley Mullieaux will be moving in to an apartment and living on her own for the first time while ubu will provide her with the much care and support she needs to help enable her to live independently.

Dorothy Jarvis-Lee CEO of ubu said: “uStep is innovative, continually evolving so that as the people we serve needs change we adapt their support to meet them.

“Our ethos is treat a person as they are and they will remain as they are; treat a person as they could be and they will become as they should be.”