For this activity you?ll be hearing Donna Thompson, of Enable, talking about the preparation and support that made Lesley?s move possible. You will also hear from Lesley, two-and-a-half years later, as she talks about her independent life.
Listen to Donna and Lesley talking about what Lesley wanted and how this was achieved. As you listen, fill in the boxes underneath. You?ll see that there are five things that ‘Matter most?. Listen to what Donna and Lesley have to say about supporting people to live independently, then fill in how you think Lesley fared with respect to each of the five headings.
Interactive content appears here. Please visit the website to use it.Transcript
DownloadA life of independenceInteractive content appears here. Please visit the website to use it.Transcript DownloadLesley?s choiceInteractive content appears here. Please visit the website to use it.Transcript DownloadProviding supportA home
Interactive content appears here. Please visit the website to use it.Lesley has her own home, with comfort, space and security. She can be with the people she wants to be with, her parents, her support workers and her boyfriend Alan.
Being respected
Interactive content appears here. Please visit the website to use it.Donna talks about ‘getting to know the individual? and how it took a long time to get exactly what Lesley wanted. Lesley works at Enable, which must have made it easier for staff there to support her and to find out what particular help she needs; Lesley mentions her support workers coming in on a Sunday to go out with her and each evening to help her cook. These are things that are important to her and that she spends her direct payments money on.
Good friends
Interactive content appears here. Please visit the website to use it.It was very important for Lesley to live near her parents and her local shops. As Donna says, that?s ‘no different to anyone else?. She talks about a ‘getting to know process? and often mentions ‘choice? as part of Enable?s way of working with people.
Getting out and about
Interactive content appears here. Please visit the website to use it.Lesley goes to work, she shops locally, visits her boyfriend, goes out with friends and enjoys the cinema, bowling and lunch out. Donna says that it?s important that people?s weeks should be ‘ordinary?, and not ‘institutional every week?. Enable encourages people to use their support hours flexibly so ‘We should be able to fit around what they want?.
Realising ambition
Interactive content appears here. Please visit the website to use it.Lesley mentions independence a lot; this is obviously important to her. Donna talks about spending time on planning with someone so that they can be ‘looking at what people?s dreams are?. She says ‘it?s our job to make that happen? even if sometimes this means taking a risk. In the end, Enable doesn?t care for people, she says: ‘we assist them and we support them to get the life that they want?.
Both Donna and Lesley talk about independence. This means not only being able to have your own home, but also having the kind of support that doesn?t take over your life. Rather, it makes it possible for people to be themselves and to help them realise their dreams.
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