I’ve been on a lot of training recently to do with Great Interactions and Facilitation and it has had my head buzzing with thoughts and ways to further improve the quality of the interactions taking place between the staff team and the people we support. I’ve been especially thinking about the ‘naturals’ in the team, and trying to identify who they might be, when I was lucky enough to witness a fantastic interaction between three of the people we support and a new member of staff Diane Carey.
Diane supported three people up to the local library to learn how to access the internet there. The aim was to provide support on how to access the job seekers website so that they could learn how to access employment and voluntary opportunities.
When they first set to work they were nervous and a little unsure of the equipment and it would have been very easy for Diane to have unintetnionally taken over the activity. Instead though, she supported them each individually by listening and responding to their concerns, observing and acknowledging their successes and communicating with them throughout. Diane didn’t only use verbal skills but was able to direct the people she was supporting to objects of reference so that they could have the chance to solve problems independently. Her warm and friendly nature made the whole activity relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.
By the end of the session you could really see how everybody’s confidence had grown and two of the people being supported felt that they would be able to complete the activity without any support next time. The other person, whilst not sure they could do it totally alone, felt confident that help would always be on hand if needed. As if that wasn’t enough, another member of staff then helped to put a record of the activity into a powerpoint presentation for one person who was supported to present to the local District Partnership Group meeting.
The new skills that were learned by people were many, and the potential outcomes they could achieve with them are significant- how fantastic it would be if someone one day found themselves employment in IT as a result of the support Diane gave them that day!
It also got me thinking, when we’re talking about naturals, Diane is born to do it. I’m really excited to see the fantastic outcomes she is able to support the people who live at Dartford Road to have, as she grows in confidence. I’m also really intrigued to see if we as a staff team can look to our new member as a source of inspiration to reignite our own drive for Great Interactions.
Kelly Reed
Senior Support Worker, Kent