Organisations are coming together to raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding From Monday 18 to Friday 22 November 2024. At Paul’s Place we work with other organisations to protect physically disabled people from harm and here’s an example to celebrate our work.
Paul’s Place member, Andy Gough, is registered blind and lived at home with his parents until 2022. Andy’s parents were becoming older, and they worried,
“what would happen to Andy if anything happened to me.”
Andy became curious and asked other members at Paul’s Place about their supported living arrangements. He then spoke to Sheila Hewitt, our Safeguarding Manager and inhouse social worker. Sheila and Andy contacted social services at Bristol City Council. It assigned Andy a social worker to help him search for a new home that supports his living arrangements.
Flats were ruled out, because they had too many obstacles and felt dangerous. Another supported living house felt cramped and too small.
Andy said, “my social worker was brilliant, they listened to my wants and needs and then matched me with the right place.”
Andy now lives in a supported-living and spacious house with two other house mates, who have become his friends. They all share a kitchen and living room together. There’s a bathroom upstairs and a shower room downstairs, as well as a room for doing his laundry. Andy has his own bedroom and support staff are there if he needs them.
Social services contacted the sensory impairment team at Bristol City Council. They supported Andy to adjust to his new surroundings and they progressed his skills in the kitchen for six months. It made a massive difference. Andy now uses his long cane to go out on his own. He can get himself up, washed and dressed without support. Andy can also use his kitchen without assistance. However, when needed the support workers can help Andy, especially for attending appointments. Dignity in care is highly important. For example, if Andy accidentally drops food on his jumper, a support worker can tell Andy, so he can choose to change his top.
Andy says, “I love where I live. I still see and spend time with my parents. They feel reassured I’m growing my independence but have support if I need it.”
Andy then said, “Sheila was brilliant. She sent the referral to make supported living possible, which really enhanced my life. I can get around and do more for myself. Tonight, I will empty my lunch box, make myself a coffee and then relax after spending a day at Paul’s Place. Sheila was always there for a chat. We kept each other updated. She supported the whole process and made sure everything joined up. She supported the whole family with my transition from depending on my parents to supported living, where I’m more independent.”
At Paul’s Place we’re on a mission to enhance life for physically disabled adults while keeping them safe.
Safeguarding is everyone’s business. So, we’re extremely grateful to the teams we worked with at Bristol City Council for keeping Andy safe.
Our life changing work relies on your support and donations. From as little as £5 a month can make a big difference for physically disabled adults across South Gloucestershire, Bristol and B&NES. We’re currently moving into our very own Paul’s Place Hub at Shire Way in Yate. It was only made possible by the very generous and anonymous legacy donations we received. However, more funding and support is needed for the massive refurb and refit work we’re facing until we officially move in by next August or September 2025.
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