Dorset residents’ experiences are being shared to explain how adult social care funding is used.
A new webpage brings together real stories from across the county, showing how people are supported in everyday life, from staying independent at home to receiving more hands on care when it is needed.
The move follows a budget exercise at the end of 2025, where some residents suggested reducing spending in this area, while national research also highlighted a need to better explain how services work and who relies on them.
Adult social care accounts for almost 40% of Dorset Council’s total budget for 2026 to 2027, making it the largest area of spending, supporting older people, adults with learning disabilities, autistic residents and those with long term health conditions.
The council says the stories show how early support can help people stay independent for longer, reduce hospital admissions and keep people connected to their communities, adding that “care funding is about people, not numbers” and aims to give a clearer picture of its impact.