Somerset Care – Realise South West

Changes

Realise started working with Active support approximately 2 years ago and initially some of the more long term staff were somewhat reticent about the proposed changes in the way they were to approach different situations. Comments about the time it would take to complete tasks, service users not being able to undertake tasks even with support, risks involved in activities and general concerns that we were expecting too much form service users, were all raised by staff when they first received the training and paperwork.

A few staff did see the positives that the project would have for individuals and they were very keen to put training into action. Starting small and with very basic tasks they were able to show their colleagues that change was possible and enjoyable for everyone. One service user who has severe epilepsy, and who spent the majority of his day sitting around watching TV when he was not at college, was encouraged to begin going into the kitchen and making his own hot drinks. His started as watching, then he allowed hand on hand support and has now progressed to being able to choose when he makes a drink and will go into the kitchen with staff and with verbal prompts will make his drink.

Many care managers have commented on the changes in the service users and their abilities to undertake tasks around the home and parents have noticed that when their dependents go home they are more inclined to help around the house rather than sit and watch tasks being done, and indirectly there have been improvements in service users well being and alertness. There has been more engaged in day to day life activities and as such there has been a reduction in some of the aspects of challenging behaviours that were being displayed. Possibly due to reduced boredom and increased self esteem.

One service user has made some dramatic changes in his life. He is now, with support, able to clean his bedroom, make his bed, feed his fish, run his bath, and use a tablet to play games and look at the internet. On a recent check up with the dentist this gentleman was congratulated on his oral hygiene which is an aspect of his personal health he now undertakes with support. This is so much more than he did before and is all down to the staff engaging in the active support project with him. He is much happier, more alert and more engaged with others than he has ever been since he joined our service.

Over all we are really pleased with the changes that have taken place as a result of joining this project. Going forward we will be encouraging staff who have undertaken the training to pass their knowledge and enthusiasm on to other staff to promote. It’s onwards and upwards for us all the way.

Jo Leigh
Service Manager LD
Somerset Care – Realise SW