Being able to make her own decisions is the best part of being a Southdown tenant for Sandra, who has learning and physical disabilities.
Before joining us, Sandra lived in a residential care home where her choices were limited. Now she has her own flat designed for her needs, she chooses her own meals and has enrolled on college courses. Supported by Southdown staff, Sandra has also been on her first ever holiday where she was able to choose the location and activities.
Sandra's health, well-being, independence and happiness have all improved since she moved into her flat which is part of a small residential block with 24/7 staff cover.
Joining us
Simon moved into a flat at a supported living scheme after living with his parents. This involved a long process of planning with Simon, his family and advocates to ensure the scheme could meet his needs.
Working together
Simon has 15 hours per week of practical one-to-one support from Southdown staff. We work
together on everything from budgeting and shopping to building friendships with neighbours and
staying safe – all skills which give him more control over his life.
Simon also receives Independent Living Funding to spend on more support. He has decided to
pay for a personal assistant to support him to attend college and a care assistant to provide
personal care, including help with getting ready for bed. The fund also pays for the overnight
support that he shares with the other tenants where he lives.
Achieving goals
Simon said he wanted three main things: to listen to Splash FM (a Worthing radio station not accessible in Horsham); to stop his regular visits to a day centre and to stop relying on other people’s transport. Since moving into his flat, Simon has a computer so he can listen to Splash FM on the internet, and his own car that he uses to get to college three and a half days per week – he studies cookery, pottery and IT. He no longer goes to the day centre.
Simon has a busy social life in the community and he is an active participant in the tenants’ meetings where he lives.
Life has changed for Simon since he moved into his flat – “I really like living here” he says.
I moved into my supported living flat when the scheme first opened and I really like living here. We are right in the town centre so it’s close to the shops, and the library, post office and theatre are all near too.
The staff help me with cooking, cleaning, shopping and other things, like helping me to manage my money. I enjoy being able to do things for myself. I often do my own cleaning now, as I like to keep my flat clean and tidy. I’m also doing the laundry myself, and sometimes I go shopping without the staff’s help.
I go to a day centre in Worthing for 2 days, where I’ve learned how to cook meals and make cakes. I’ve joined the singing group there as well. The staff helped me find the safest route to the centre (as the roads round here are very busy) so that I’m now making my own way there and back.
On Wednesdays, a volunteer comes in to see me and help me with things like baking cakes, making trifles, and sometimes we go out shopping and to a café. She has also helped me to grow some houseplants, which I’ve entered into the Southdown Garden Challenge. She has been really helpful to me and we get on very well.
The staff here help me to keep in contact with my parents, who live near London, and that’s really important to me.
In the evenings I meet up with some friends. I’ve recently started going to ten-pin bowling, with the staff and other people who live here.
As you can see, I lead a very busy life and I am very pleased I decided to move here.