And the reason for their popularity? The cult of the selfie celebrates people as individuals and this got the staff team at Whiteladies Close reflecting: why don’t we support people to take selfies? One of the key aspects of MacIntyre’s DNA is that we support people with learning disabilities as individuals, and taking selfies is a positive way of projecting the people we support as individuals. Selfies provide a unique snapshot of an individual in terms of who they are and where they come from, and activities we support people to engage in.
Now that we can interact with hundreds of people across all of MacIntyre simultaneously, through mediums like The Mag, The Ring and focus groups like “My Voice” and “The Buzz Board” we've strengthened the impact of communication. Selfies are a part of this. In taking selfies there’s no pressure. You’re by yourself or with friends and you can take as few or as many as you like. They are an instant confidence boost in almost any situation.
Through working at Whiteladies Close, and supporting the people who live here, out and about on day trips or going about their daily lives, I have been able to see for myself the instant uplift that a surprise picture can do for someone’s mood. All of the people we support at Whiteladies like their picture being taken in a variety of different social situations and if someone is feeling a little low and in need of cheering up I know there has been an instant uplift in mood when a selfie has been taken.
The people we support at Whiteladies are supported to take selfies in a way tailored to them. Some people can take pictures by themselves, others need more support. We use our service’s digital camera to take the photos, or the loan iPad from the office.
The pictures taken are used for a number of purposes. They are used for person centred reviews, articles for The Mag, and we will be putting some of the selfies in photo frames and putting them up around the house. One of the ladies at Whiteladies Close is putting together a memory book, so we’ll definitely be asking her if she would like her selfies included in it.
The pictures included in this blog, I hope, convey the warmth and positivity all staff at MacIntyre strive to achieve, and do achieve, when providing support to people. Selfies, like MacIntyre, like Great Interactions, are here to stay.
Jan Kendall
Support Worker
White Ladies