Personal Stories about Adult Placement
Personal Stories about Adult Placement
A Service User's experience:
The following article has been written by Mary who uses the Adult Placement Scheme:
Before I became ill with ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) I was always an active person - busy social life, work-outs at the gym, dance and swimming being some of my regular pleasures, along with walking at weekends. Even after the onset of the illness when my condition first became chronic, I was able to maintain social contact and outside activities by swapping to less physically demanding pastimes like craft and writing classes. However, constantly pushing myself through the pain and fatigue barriers of ME wore me out until the time came when I could no longer maintain any kind of life outside the home, even my visits to friends and family becoming infrequent and difficult.
The social isolation I experienced at that time made me feel very lonely and depressed. That's when a social worker doing a routine review suggested putting me in touch with the Adult Placement Team. This service has developed to help people like myself, who would benefit from getting out and about in the community more than using day care services provided at a centre. A referral was made and a short time later a worker visited me from the Adult Placement Team. We chatted about my interests and things I would like help to do, and he told me how the service could match me up with a volunteer willing to share those interests and support me in taking part in social activities. There was a bit of a wait then before meeting any volunteers, a lot of care is taken to find compatible people but at last I was introduced to my potential Adult Placement Carer.
They had already been briefed about how my condition affects me and that because it varies from day to day there would have to be some flexibility about the arrangements, so the introductions were mostly informal meetings simply to get to know each other. Fortunately in my case, these early meetings went well and there's been no looking back since.
I have two supporters (Adult Placement Carers). One calls for me in her car, which provides me with the opportunity to visit places I wouldn't otherwise get to - out in the country, or into town, to libraries, bookshops, garden centres and coffee shops (in fact, we're considering producing the definitive guide to coffee in the North West). I am taken by community transport to my other supporter's home, where I can choose to go out locally, or chill out in good company and enjoy her wonderful home cooking. It's made such a difference to me not only to get out and about and have a regular rhythm to the week, but to have the ongoing support of people who have over time become friends.
We share news of each other's families and everyday ups and downs and the arrangements have been flexible enough to allow them to support me in times of family crisis (as when my mother was ill and I was able to visit her in hospital and at home) and celebration, joining me in celebrating my son's passing out parade.
Yes, in spite of my initial anxiety about new people and new routines, I have found the one to one situation easy to be comfortable with and would recommend anyone who is stuck indoors, bored or lonely because of disability or chronic ill health to ask whether Adult Placement might be the right solution for them.
The Adult Placement Carers' experience:
Mary and Len's story:
"We're just one big happy family". That is the view of Tameside Adult Placement Carers Mary and Len who carry out the special job of supporting two adults Neil and Alice.
Mary and Len have created a "new" family through the Tameside Adult Placement Scheme. It works in a similar way to fostering but provides support through carers like Mary and Len to older people, people with learning or physical disabilities or adults with health needs.
Neil actually lives with Mary and Len full time. He has Parkinson's disease and prior to coming to live with Mary and Len was having periods of hospital stays. He also felt isolated and due to harassment by vandals had become anxious. Neil says he "hasn't looked back since" and "hasn't felt as happy in a long time."
Alice lives at home with her son, but she has health problems that affect her mobility. She is effectively unable to go out independently. She spends the day at Mary and Len's home once a week. She enjoys the company and considers the Adult Placement Carers and Neil as friends. Alice said: "Nothing is too much trouble for Mary and Len and staying with them is better than staying in a guest house."
Mary and Len have been with the Adult Placement Scheme for about 7 years. Altogether they have helped 37 people whilst with Adult Placement.
Following retirement Len and Mary felt that they wanted to help the community and applied to be Adult Placement Carers. Although their main expertise is with older people they have also supported younger adults with physical and learning disabilities.
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