Paul moved into Ponciau when it first opened. He moved from a shared house and he spent a lot of time in his car where he used to seek refuge and space. Paul was a person who the staff found difficult to support in the early days. He wasn’t an easy person to engage. This meant that Paul continued to spend long periods of time sitting in his car outside his home and he seldom went out. Paul could spend up to 4 hours a day sitting outside in his car.
Fast forward 2 years and Paul became a changed man. His staff team had got to know him well and they began to enjoy their time supporting him. They learned when to step in and provide Paul with support or company and they also learned when Paul wanted space and in these times, they now withdraw to the hub. As a result, Paul has become very settled in his home, and he has increased in confidence. Paul only ever goes in his car when he is going out now.
Fast forward another year and Paul has developed further. He seeks the company of his team and although they still give him space when he wants it, he is also happy to go to the hub to find them when he wants to be with them. This is a big step forward for Paul because historically, he has always preferred his own company.
In the last couple of months, Paul has achieved some really great things. He has started doing his own shopping. Paul started being supported by Aled to do his shopping and Aled took him to his local Tesco Express. He supported Paul to get used to that shop and they have now ‘graduated to the big Tesco Extra. Paul pushes his own trolley, puts his things into his trolley and he is achieving great things. Now that Paul is confident shopping, his wider team are supporting him as well and he is loving it.
The staff team around Paul have supported him to achieve things that he has never done before. Part of this is due to his house and how that is set up but mostly, it is because he is being supported in a way that works for him.
His staff team use their Great Interactions to know when to step in and when to step back, they are responsive to Paul’s needs. They have worked out how to best communicate with him. They give him a reassuring touch and they have a laugh with him. The warmth between Paul and his team is evident and we are now seeing Paul as the person he really is; A man with a sense of humour who chooses to have company rather than isolate himself.
So… what’s next?! The team are now considering other things with Paul that he may like to do. They are going to try swimming – an activity that Paul has never done before to our knowledge so watch this space.
Lowri Bartrum
Area Manager
Shropshire, Powys, Wrexham and North Herefordshire