From secure hospital to part time work – a journey of progress for Joan
Joan’s story is one that demonstrates how care pathways can have very positive outcomes - with time, patience, empowerment and commitment. At 59 years old, Joan now works part-time as a kitchen assistant, providing support to a busy catering department in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. However, the twist in Joan’s role is that she is employed by the organisation which also looks after her, namely Care Principles; the kitchen in which Joan works is located within their community hospital, Ermine Lodge. Here, the hospital provides intensive care and treatment for men and women with a learning disability, challenging behaviour and / or complex needs. Many of the patients come from lower-security or community-based placements, where their needs could not be adequately met. For these people, the peaceful location, calm and nurturing environment and highly-qualified care team make Ermine Lodge an ideal environment in which they can feel safe, valued, supported and understood.
Over the last three years, the team at Ermine Lodge has worked closely with Joan, focusing on life skills training leading towards ‘graduated rehabilitation’. Her goal is to step down to a supported living environment where she will be able to enjoy even greater independence, with the assurance that care and support are close to hand. Joan and some of her fellow patients attend a comprehensive ‘Daily Living Skills’ programme which teaches practical skills designed to empower patients to do more things for themselves. For many attendees, the course uses visual aids, or widgit symbols, with timeframes that are built around the individuals ability and needs. Quite simply, the course is run at a pace and level to suit each person. It is this programme that has seen the major progress for Joan to start her first job and enjoy the benefits of earning a salary. Heather Fawcett, Ermine Registered Manager explains further: “The Daily Living Skills programme has been developed to give each person tools that enable them to enjoy more independence, and promote self worth and self esteem. All those attending the programme firstly need to gain certification in ‘The Essentials of Health & Safety’ and ‘Food safety made simple’. This can be achieved by any of the residents attending the education unit at the hospital, no matter what their academic ability.Progress can be as simple as making a cold drink to enabling individuals to invite friends and family to the purpose-built training kitchen and to provide their visitors with a meal and drinks that they have prepared themselves. It is a gradual process that can take time, but the outcomes are always positive.” Joan continues to attend the programme as part of her overall plan of care.
A few months ago, her care team felt that Joan’s progression was so good that an external job could be achievable. The team looked at several possiblities close to Ermine Lodge but each potential role flagged up challenges that Joan would find difficult. A chance conversation between Heather Fawcett and the catering manager led to Joan suggesting that she might be able to help in the kitchen. She had already been helping with the housekeeping team as part of her daily skills activities. Yet, the concept of a patient working for the hospital that looks after her was completely new to the Care Principles team. Heather Fawcett continues: “Joan had overheard us talking in the communal gardens discussing how busy the kitchen was. Her idea of helping the catering team was fantastic. We realised that we would need to manage specific legislative and insurance based issues, but with a very supporting team at Head Office, the path for Joan’s employment was made possible. And it was the Daily Living Skills programme that had already prepared her for many of the requirements within a working kitchen requirement.”
Today, Joan works up to 12 hours every week, with her time spent at work made flexible around her particular needs. On occasions where she isn’t able to work, the kitchen team can plan their schedules around her knowing that she’ll return to work when ready. Joan comments: “Having a job makes me feel good about myself; I save my wages so I will be able to buy myself nice things when I get a place of my own. They will really be my things, because I have worked for them and paid for them myself, I like my job, I like helping to get the food ready for everyone, I feel good about myself now because I do the same as other people outside.”
“For Joan and Ermine Lodge, we have created the best of all worlds,” Heather Fawcett concludes. “Joan is continuing to build upon her skills and confidence, and can look forward towards her next step to supported living. And for the kitchen department, they have a dedicated and committed helper who is keen to impress and be part of a friendly team. The entire care team are so pleased to see the results of a programme which has genuinely enriched Joan’s life.”
To learn more about the Daily Living Skills programme used at Ermine Lodge and other hospitals within the Care Principles care portfolio, contact Lynne Adams on 01638 606300 or email lynne.adams@careprinciples.com.
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