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Julie is a bubbly, sassy meticulous lady with various complex needs, including Downs, learning disabilities, OCD, and dementia. She loves going out, particularly to Slimming World, and when she’s in, she loves tidying! The people that support Julie started to find that the “homes” Julie was finding for some things were causing a possible health and safety issue. They discussed this with her, but it was causing upset because Julie wanted to put the object in the place she thought it should go. So the staff supported Julie to make pictorial signage for the mop and buckets. One red, green and blue – Julie laminated these with support and chose a new “home” for the mops and buckets. She put the signs up, and now the coordinating mop buckets are underneath the correct sign. Jo also told me Julie would love a photo and a story on this, so off I trot with my own tools to meet Julie. We had a fab time as she took me on a tour of Cherrytrees.
When I started, I was shadowing a lady called Dawn. The whole time I was in complete awe of her because she’s so on it and capable. She knows there are 101 things to do, and it’s all listed in her head! She’s so organised like that. Being new and having that sort of role model was like, wow, I want to be like that! I think the level of responsibility that support workers have is terrific. It’s bought me a new lease of life from making pizzas, and I love pizza! But to see the joy she brings! I like that we have to shadow in Discovery. It boosts my confidence. I’m not shadowing now, but I still feel like I can go to her if I need something.
We are delighted to say that the Dimensions group has officially been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing in 2022, by Great Place to Work® UK. Dimensions has been recognised as a Great Place to Work® for the last three years running (the 2022 list will be announced later this year) and we are pleased to add this wellbeing accolade to our achievements.
Hi Brett, nice to meet you! My name is Tiffany – but call me Tiff! I’m here to help you spread the word about the good things happening. So our chat today is to find out a bit about your story and why you joined as a support worker for Discovery?
Jeff is the Assistant Locality Manager at a supported living service in Bishops Lydeard. But this is a new role for him; for four years he was a Waking Nights’ Support Worker in Chard. The job suited him because five years ago his wife started a nursing degree and he needed a job that would enable him to care for his children while his wife was studying. He is keen to point out that working as a support worker at night is different to the daytime role!
We are proud to have achieved Investors in Diversity awards, received Action on Hearing Loss and Louder than Words accreditation, and been recognised as Disability Confident Leaders. Being a truly inclusive, welcoming organisation is important to us.
The Discovery Supported Employment team started new conversations with nineteen businesses in September about how it could help support individuals with a learning disability or autism into work.
