AL, a 28-year-old woman, had been diagnosed with a learning disability. She wanted to live independently but faced a range of challenges that impeded this independence and overall well-being.
These included >
Home Management: support in maintaining a clean and well-organised living space.
Nutrition and Meal Preparation: assistance with meal planning and maintaining a balanced diet.
Safety and Self-Care: help in ensuring a safe home environment and personal care during periods of illness.
Community Engagement: required guidance for safe participation in community activities.
Self-Neglect: tended to neglect her personal care needs when unwell, which posed risks to her health and well-being.
In October 2022, AL moved into our supported living accommodation, which was facilitated by Reading Borough Council, and she embarked on a life-changing journey. We used the principals of active support to empower her to acquire the necessary skills and confidence for independent living and meaningful community engagement.
Our dedicated staff team at Proactive Living co-produced a robust and comprehensive support plan tailored to AL’s specific needs and to support her on her path to independence >
Home Management: we provided consistent prompts and assistance to help AL effectively manage her home, gradually transferring these skills for independent upkeep.
Nutrition and Meal Preparation: AL underwent reablement skills training, acquiring the ability to independently plan meals, cook and handle her dishes, giving her confidence in her culinary abilities.
Safety and Self-Care: AL’s well-being within her home was prioritised. Our team offered guidance and support to ensure she could maintain a safe living environment. Additionally, we collaborated with her to establish a structured daily routine that incorporated personal care as a fundamental aspect.
Community Engagement: AL received assistance in accessing meaningful activities within her community, enabling her to connect with others and broaden her horizons.
Self-Neglect: through unwavering encouragement and coaching, AL learned to prioritise her personal care needs even when facing health challenges.
AL’s transformation and blossoming of independence has been inspiring. With our guidance and support, she achieved significant milestones:
Home Management: AL now independently manages her living space, maintaining cleanliness and organisation without continual prompting or assistance.
Nutrition and Meal Preparation: she confidently plans meals, cooks and manages her dishes, knowing the importance of and maintaining a nutritious diet.
Safety and Self-Care: AL has seamlessly integrated personal care into her structured daily routine, reducing her reliance on prompts and support.
Community Engagement: AL actively participates in meaningful activities within her community, forging connections and enriching her life.
Self-Neglect: she has triumphed over her tendency to neglect self-care, demonstrating a commitment to prioritising her well-being even during challenging times.
AL’s transition from dependency to self-sufficiency stands as a testament to the effectiveness of Proactive Life. It is our role to empower individuals like AL to lead self-sufficient lives, and one we take very seriously. Her story serves as an inspirational example of the transformative impact our services can have on individuals with learning disabilities, aiding them in achieving their goals and fostering fulfilling lives within their communities.
Empowering
Transformation:
JS’s Journey from Despair to Purpose
JS, a 32-year-old man, found himself at a crossroads in his life. Following a life-threatening overdose driven by a loss of meaning, he faced significant challenges and struggles >
Medication Administration: JS required consistent medication administration to effectively manage his condition after the overdose.
Emotional Turmoil: JS grappled with a deep sense of hopelessness, making it difficult for him to envision a meaningful future.
Relationship Obstacles: JS had a history of altercations and physical abuse in shared tenancy settings, hindering his ability to maintain healthy relationships.
Loss of Direction: JS had lost touch with his passions and sense of purpose, leaving him adrift in life.
In September 2022, social services sought our help on JS’s behalf to support him in regaining his passion and purpose. Our Positive Livings support team provided JS with the necessary support and care to rebuild his life >
Medication Adherence: our professional support worker ensured that JS’s medication was consistently administered, helping him regain stability.
Emotional Support: JS received personalised emotional support, therapy and regular visits from his Community Psychiatric Nurse to address the underlying causes of his despair and boost his self-esteem.
Building Healthy Relationships: through therapy and conflict resolution strategies, JS learned how to maintain positive relationships in our supported living setting, reducing altercations and fostering a supportive living environment.
Rediscovering Purpose: our staff collaborated closely with JS to identify his passions and interests. Together, they crafted a structured, purposeful daily routine aligned with his newfound goals.
JS went on a journey that transformed his life. With our support, he achieved significant milestones:
Stable Tenancy and Relationships: JS successfully maintained his tenancy and developed positive relationships with other service users, resulting in a harmonious living environment.
Effective Medication Management: he stuck to his medication routine, achieving stability in his mental health.
Rediscovered Passion and Purpose: JS reignited his zest for life by rediscovering his passions and sense of purpose.
Rebuilding His Life: JS reclaimed his revoked driving license, found a job, and re-entered the workforce. He even bought a car, symbolising newfound independence and optimism.
JS’s story stands as a testament to the transformative power of our services. From the depths of despair and self-doubt, he emerged as a stable, motivated and grateful individual. Our team’s unwavering commitment to his well-being helped him rediscover his purpose, mend relationships and rebuild his life. JS’s remarkable journey is an inspiring example of how our services can change lives, offering hope and a fresh start to those most in need. It highlights how Proactive Life support laid the foundation for a new life for JS with promise, stability and purpose.
How you can refer to us
We welcome referrals from local authorities and local health authorities, social workers, Community Mental Health Teams, Community Learning Disability Teams or individuals or their family members.
To make a referral, arrange a free of charge pathway planning meeting or to find out more about how we can help, please send some details to our team at info@proactivelife.org.uk
Alternatively, please fill out our contact form and one of the team will get back in touch shortly.
