Techniques

Our Technique

Our new therapy programmes are designed around the specific needs of the individual. We set out to provide appropriate guidance and opportunity for change.

This means that, if necessary, for 13 weeks we will provide a Support Worker to work on a one to one basis for 24 hours a day. We look for the individual to develop a sense of self, with that in mind we design programmes around a weekly timetable which involves voluntary work, drop in centres, college courses, etc. The weekends are left free for the individual to do with what they want, but their Support Worker will suggest various untried activities, once again helping them gain self-confidence in themselves.

These programmes provide a change in place, environment, living conditions, responsibilities, personal requirements, and response sufficiently extensive to require the learning new patterns of behaviour.

If the resident does not require a one to one Support Worker we then provide a befriender who is with the resident five days a week when he/she gets home from college, work, etc., and they will stay with them until the evening. On the weekends a befriender will be with the resident to help them make the most of their leisure time.

Therapeutic Care

Each service user has an individual care plan based on John O’Brien and C.L.O’Brien’s Framework for Accomplishments’ 1989, covering the following areas:

A - SHARING PLACES AND ACTIVITIES
Everyone should be able to lead as full a life as anyone else, sharing the same facilities as others at the same time as others.

B - MAKING CHOICES
People should be encouraged to be responsible for their own choices and to understand the outcome of their decisions. Everyone needs to be aware of risk and that choices may not always be in line with other people’s values. People may need guidance to aid realistic choices.

C - RESPECT
A Person’s social skills and image need to be such that each person is accepted by others and seen as valued. People should be encouraged to associate with valued images and people.

D - MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS
A person should be encouraged to play a two-way role (i.e. giving and receiving). People should not only be encouraged to reach their goals but also help others achieve theirs. Those goals may be associated with (paid and/or voluntary work) leisure, supporting/assisting others.

E - RELATIONSHIPS
People should be encouraged to feel comfortable with and around others and to express themselves in acceptable ways. People should be provided with opportunities to develop social skills.

F - EDUCATION
A person should be encouraged to realise their full academic potential. This will not only enhance their lives but also help them to value themselves more

In order to achieve this a weekly ‘programme’ of activity is planned with the service user and involved professionals incorporating a balance of social, physical and educational opportunities appropriate to the needs and interests of that individual.

All local colleges and community facilities are accessed and private transport is provided.

A wealth of leisure pursuits are on offer for evenings and weekends, from theatre and restaurant visits to white water rafting and climbing, aiming to provide a new and exciting situations, open up choices and provide opportunities to meet others not involved in providing a service.

An annual holiday will be planned of the service user’s own choice, whether they would like to sail on The Nile or a camp out in Cornwall.

Service users are encouraged to access community self-help groups appropriate to their needs and to learn where to go for support when they are living independently. The most commonly used groups are Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Hearing Voices Groups, Self-Harm groups and all other services available through the MIND drop-in centres.

Our Company Psychologist Genevieve Singabrayen oversees all of the therapeutic programmes, which are founded on a cognitive behavioural therapeutic input is eclectic.

Philosophy of Care

We base our philosophy on working towards success whilst accepting the need to be flexible.

A non-aversive, inter-actional approach is used, with the emphasis on building positive relationships. Service users are not judged by their behaviours, they are encouraged to develop self-esteem and negative sanctions are not used.

Our aim is enable our service users to overcome the difficulties that have caused them to lose their place in society, and to attain the highest level of functioning they are capable of. The service users right to an ordinary life is upheld at all times.

We can provide a place of safety in a caring home environment at short notice.