Learning Disabilities
Learning Disabilities Case Study
Barry is 33 years old and lives in Berkshire in a housing scheme of flats where eleven young men are supported to live independently. Barry has flourished in his own one bedroom flat, since moving out of his parent’s home four years ago.
“I wanted my independence you see, a flat of my own. There was an opportunity of a flat here and I took it. I’m really enjoying living here as I can do things for myself, so I don’t have to rely on anyone else. I can cook for myself, clean for myself and things like that.” When Barry initially applied for the flat, he was assessed and in conjunction with him and his parents, a support plan was agreed and put in place. Radian Support staff have helped him to increase his social skills and extend his social circles by encouraging him to keep his activity base high, providing a list of activities that he can choose to do, but ultimately it is Barry’s choice. Paul is one of Barry’s support workers who are available to residents 24 hours a day. He explains: “Every support plan is totally bespoke for the individual. Barry’s ability is very high, you can have great craic with him down at the pub but he can sometimes be too shy to ask for help. So with him, it’s more of a shadowing process; stepping in when we feel that he may be getting out of his depth. We would be a safety net, ensuring the risks he wants to take are suitable.” Barry is acutely aware and very pleased with the progress he is making. Although he appreciates his personal space and belongings, he did initially have some issues with the cleanliness of his flat and needed to receive extra support to ensure he could cope with the additional responsibilities of living on his own. “I needed quite a lot of help with the flat at first and with other things like managing money, doing a shopping list and cooking my meals but I can do all that myself now. I’m very independent and I’m getting better. I used to have help with shopping but now I can manage on my own. I used to be supported to clean my flat but now I can do that independently as well. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in the last couple of years. It makes me feel good. Sometimes I do get help from the staff but I can do lots on my own.” Barry has maintained a regular work schedule since arriving. He used to work voluntarily in a cafe and Radian Support found him paid work as a cleaner in another supported living scheme, which helped him with the cleanliness issues in his own flat. Now, Radian Support staff have helped him to gain permanent, paid, employment as a street cleaner, picking up
litter around the local parks and shops. “There’s five things I like about my job.” Barry offers excitedly before impressively reeling off the reasons, whilst counting them down on his fingers: “I don’t have to travel to get there; I get fresh air and exercise; I keep the environment tidy; it pays well; and I get to meet new people every day.” Barry is very grateful for the support he received in helping secure his job, both from his Job Coach and from members of staff. “After I was given the job they showed me what to do, where to go and how early I needed to get up!” The money he earns is his own but he receives support to prioritise where the money is spent. Radian Support staff have helped him to prioritise bills, setting up Direct Debits for most utilities and after he has paid the subsidised rent for his flat and bought food, whatever money remaining is his to spend. Barry likes to buy DVDs and games for his X-Box but also is supported to save some money each week, so that he can buy larger items that he might need. Barry is passionate and knowledgeable about sport, especially football and one of the luxuries he chooses to spend his wages on is a subscription to Sky Sports, so that he can watch the football and other sports whenever he wants. Keen to be more than just an armchair supporter, Radian Support staff helped Barry to find a suitable football team that he could join and he had several happy seasons playing for Henley YMCA Casuals until a niggling knee injury forced him to retire.
“I am an average footballer at best,” Barry quips, “But the coaches were very understanding. The team had other people with Learning Disabilities and in our first season in the league, we won it! We were all celebrating. They are a really good bunch, really down to earth people.”
Barry has a fairly busy social calendar, attending several groups and youth clubs that organise activities such as bowling, swimming and day trips; he even sits on the board of one. Radian Support staff organise all the transport and taxis that Barry needs and the Scheme has a minibus that can drop residents off at their various engagements. Being very close to his family, Barry’s mother often gives him a lift back from the club, giving them the opportunity of a regular catch up: “She doesn’t nag me, she reminds me of things! She says that I am doing really well now, a lot better than when I first moved in. She’s really proud of me.” He beams. When questioned about the future, Barry is insistent that his immediate ambitions have all been fulfilled: “I’ve played football in a team, gained my independence and I’m travelling on buses on my own. I’ve done all I want to do really.” One thing, however, that he has set his sights on is to learn how to play the guitar, “I’m aiming to do a guitar duet, on stage with my uncle, at my cousin’s wedding next year, so I’m teaching myself and trying to practice 10 minutes a day. It’s never too late to learn. Look at me, I’m 33 and just learning to play the guitar. It’s never too late to learn!” Too true
For more information about Radian Support visit:
01753 747 372
[email protected] www.radiansupport.co.uk
Barry is 33 years old and lives in Berkshire in a housing scheme of flats where eleven young men are supported to live independently. Barry has flourished in his own one bedroom flat, since moving out of his parent’s home four years ago.
“I wanted my independence you see, a flat of my own. There was an opportunity of a flat here and I took it. I’m really enjoying living here as I can do things for myself, so I don’t have to rely on anyone else. I can cook for myself, clean for myself and things like that.” When Barry initially applied for the flat, he was assessed and in conjunction with him and his parents, a support plan was agreed and put in place. Radian Support staff have helped him to increase his social skills and extend his social circles by encouraging him to keep his activity base high, providing a list of activities that he can choose to do, but ultimately it is Barry’s choice. Paul is one of Barry’s support workers who are available to residents 24 hours a day. He explains: “Every support plan is totally bespoke for the individual. Barry’s ability is very high, you can have great craic with him down at the pub but he can sometimes be too shy to ask for help. So with him, it’s more of a shadowing process; stepping in when we feel that he may be getting out of his depth. We would be a safety net, ensuring the risks he wants to take are suitable.” Barry is acutely aware and very pleased with the progress he is making. Although he appreciates his personal space and belongings, he did initially have some issues with the cleanliness of his flat and needed to receive extra support to ensure he could cope with the additional responsibilities of living on his own. “I needed quite a lot of help with the flat at first and with other things like managing money, doing a shopping list and cooking my meals but I can do all that myself now. I’m very independent and I’m getting better. I used to have help with shopping but now I can manage on my own. I used to be supported to clean my flat but now I can do that independently as well. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in the last couple of years. It makes me feel good. Sometimes I do get help from the staff but I can do lots on my own.” Barry has maintained a regular work schedule since arriving. He used to work voluntarily in a cafe and Radian Support found him paid work as a cleaner in another supported living scheme, which helped him with the cleanliness issues in his own flat. Now, Radian Support staff have helped him to gain permanent, paid, employment as a street cleaner, picking up
litter around the local parks and shops. “There’s five things I like about my job.” Barry offers excitedly before impressively reeling off the reasons, whilst counting them down on his fingers: “I don’t have to travel to get there; I get fresh air and exercise; I keep the environment tidy; it pays well; and I get to meet new people every day.” Barry is very grateful for the support he received in helping secure his job, both from his Job Coach and from members of staff. “After I was given the job they showed me what to do, where to go and how early I needed to get up!” The money he earns is his own but he receives support to prioritise where the money is spent. Radian Support staff have helped him to prioritise bills, setting up Direct Debits for most utilities and after he has paid the subsidised rent for his flat and bought food, whatever money remaining is his to spend. Barry likes to buy DVDs and games for his X-Box but also is supported to save some money each week, so that he can buy larger items that he might need. Barry is passionate and knowledgeable about sport, especially football and one of the luxuries he chooses to spend his wages on is a subscription to Sky Sports, so that he can watch the football and other sports whenever he wants. Keen to be more than just an armchair supporter, Radian Support staff helped Barry to find a suitable football team that he could join and he had several happy seasons playing for Henley YMCA Casuals until a niggling knee injury forced him to retire.
“I am an average footballer at best,” Barry quips, “But the coaches were very understanding. The team had other people with Learning Disabilities and in our first season in the league, we won it! We were all celebrating. They are a really good bunch, really down to earth people.”
Barry has a fairly busy social calendar, attending several groups and youth clubs that organise activities such as bowling, swimming and day trips; he even sits on the board of one. Radian Support staff organise all the transport and taxis that Barry needs and the Scheme has a minibus that can drop residents off at their various engagements. Being very close to his family, Barry’s mother often gives him a lift back from the club, giving them the opportunity of a regular catch up: “She doesn’t nag me, she reminds me of things! She says that I am doing really well now, a lot better than when I first moved in. She’s really proud of me.” He beams. When questioned about the future, Barry is insistent that his immediate ambitions have all been fulfilled: “I’ve played football in a team, gained my independence and I’m travelling on buses on my own. I’ve done all I want to do really.” One thing, however, that he has set his sights on is to learn how to play the guitar, “I’m aiming to do a guitar duet, on stage with my uncle, at my cousin’s wedding next year, so I’m teaching myself and trying to practice 10 minutes a day. It’s never too late to learn. Look at me, I’m 33 and just learning to play the guitar. It’s never too late to learn!” Too true
For more information about Radian Support visit:
01753 747 372
[email protected] www.radiansupport.co.uk
