I needed to introduce a new member of staff to Mark, who is replacing me as I go on a secondment. I decided to kill two birds with one stone and take the new staff member, Tom, to meet Mark and at the same time take him out for an end of term treat, also a farewell from me. Mark has previously had difficulties transitioning from one activity or task to another, especially whilst out of his local community. This means much of his education more recently has been delivered in his own village and home through his own choice; but we know how much he loves to get out into Oxford and see his friends, so we aim to support him to do this next year, all being well.
Tom and I mapped out the day carefully, knowing that we had to be particularly careful with our planning so we did not encounter any problems whilst out with Mark. We structured his day so that he had an incentive to move onto after each activity. We began with lunch in the pub; then gave Mark a choice of playing darts or pool, followed by a trip to the car wash – something that Mark wanted to do seeing as my car was filthy and he has enjoyed this task in the past. Mark chose to go through the Arc car wash as opposed to use a jet wash.
So, we set off on our journey, Mark was chatty and excited about the outing. Mark enjoyed his fish and chips lunch in the pub and we exchanged a few emails during this social activity using an iPad. Mark chose to play a game of darts instead of pool, so we challenged him to a game and he won! Our next stop was the car wash, a short drive away and Mark left the pub happily and calmly, knowing what was coming next.
On arrival at the car wash, we queued for a short time and Mark watched the other cars going through eagerly. Mark, Tom and I chatted about the car wash and commented on how nice and clean my car would be when we had finished and that Mark could then take a photo of it and actually see the number plate!
We were unsure as to whether Mark had been through this car wash before, so we had to continually check his body language and facial expressions, through observation and ensure we were listening to his responses, in case he became anxious or over excited. As the man began jet washing my car, Mark started laughing and joking and pointing to the water. He followed the man around the car with his eyes and clearly was amused by this experience to start with. When we approached the actual car wash and turned the car engine off to automatically go through, Mark sat quietly and intensely looking at the giant brushes and multi-coloured foam which covered the windscreen. We could sense Mark’s excitement and fascination. We talked him through what was happening and he responded well to this – mesmerised with the noises and visual experience. It was when we approached the giant dryer that we had the real fun! As those of you reading may well know, those dryers never look like they are going to go upwards as the car approaches them at a snail’s pace. Mark appeared slightly nervous and he shouted and signed ‘Stop!’ I reassured him by saying ‘It’s ok, Mark’, and offered my hand for him to hold – which he grabbed momentarily then let go, realising everything was fine! He was still smiling, not anxious. We joked and told him he must duck down, which we all did, keeping it light hearted and laughing as we said this. Cowering as low as we could go, the dryer then lifted, as we of course knew it would, and Mark cheered, clapped and copied me when I gestured ‘Phew’ across my forehead. Mark found this highly amusing and when the dryer lifted over the roof of the car he said a few choice words and made a few signs, suggesting the dryer was ‘Misbehaving and being silly!’ This was hilarious!
On the way home, in case Mark became anxious on arrival home after all the excitement, we stopped at the local post office to buy Mark’s father a Christmas card. Mark’s face lit up with this suggestion and he chose a card independently in the shop. Mark wrote in the card and was so excited to hand it to his father on the return home. Mark told his father all about his day and much fun was had by all.
Without a doubt, Great Interactions helped us to facilitate this day in a successful way. It is at the heart of everything we do and is worth the efforts we go to, to get the support right for the people in MacIntyre.
Both Tom and I have reflected on this and may do things differently next time perhaps, but the outcome on this occasion was a success. We took a few risks and it was worth it!
Emily Wheeler
Formally - Programme Co-ordinator, No Limits
Practice Development Facilitator
The Great Interactions Team