At Priory Adult Care, we take great pride in the supported living services that we provide to people with a range of needs. Our aim is to always make a difference to their lives and enable them to achieve the best possible outcomes. We are delighted to introduce you to our latest case studies showcasing a selection of the many success stories.
Colin and Jim’s story
Colin* is 59 years old and has mild learning disabilities. He lives with Jim* who is in his 80s and also has mild learning disabilities, as well as dementia. They have been living together in a house in Weston-super-Mare for more than 20 years, with specialist support from Priory Supported Living South Peninsula. When their landlord decided to sell their home, a review by their new Social Worker followed. It looked likely that Colin and Jim would be separated, with each moving into a different home where a new team would support them.
Both men wanted to stay living together and to continue to receive support from people who knew them well. They were both very worried about the changes that lay ahead.
Their support team at Priory Adult Care decided to take action to ensure that Colin and Jim could stay together, and continue living the lives that they had chosen within the community. After an extensive search, the team found a suitable property that was just a mile from their current home. The new home was a bungalow, which meant that it was fully accessible for Jim, who had limited mobility after breaking his hip. He would even have a ramp at the front of the house for his mobility scooter.
Colin and Jim have now moved into their new home and could not be happier.
Leo’s story
Leo* had been in and out of a mental health hospital for most of his life, before he was supported to move into a flat that is part of Priory Adult Care’s Whitby Scheme. Leo has mental health needs including a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
When he first moved into his flat, Leo was reluctant to engage with the team supporting him and barely left his new home. As time went on, his two Key Workers built positive and trusting relationships with Leo, who gradually felt comfortable enough to share his thoughts and concerns with them.
Leo’s diagnosis meant that he could sometimes forget to take his medication. His support team took over managing this, ensuring that he always took the dosage he had been prescribed. Leo’s mental health improved rapidly as a result.
This improvement in his wellbeing opened up a range of opportunities for Leo, including being supported to develop his independence skills. The team helped Leo to manage his finances, to understand budgeting and how to pay his bills.
The transformation in Leo since he began living at the Whitby Scheme has been significant. He has become much more confident and independent and recently applied for an apprenticeship, for which he attended an interview. Leo’s next goal is to learn to drive, which the team will be supporting him with. It is likely that Leo will move on to independent accommodation in the next few months.
Amy’s story
Amy* has autism, learning disabilities and mental health needs. She had been in a hospital setting for three years as a result of an eating disorder, during which time she became dangerously underweight. Amy had begun living at a specialist residential placement, but this had broken down and meant that she had returned to living at the hospital.
After completing her treatment, Amy and her care team were keen for her to move on to the next stage of her life, and to be supported to live independently in the community. The staff team from Priory Supported Living Scotland began working with her hospital team, designing a bespoke package of supported living for Amy. A team was put together to provide 24/7 support and a flat was found that was near to one of Priory Adult Care’s specialist residential sites, which would provide Amy with social connections.
When Amy first moved into her flat, there were occasions when she struggled in her new environment. The staff team at Priory Supported Living Scotland took a holistic approach to Amy’s care and worked effectively with a range of agencies to support her through these times, including her psychiatric team and Social Worker.
Amy’s care plan was entirely person-centred and it was adapted and modified as staff learned what she responded well to. When there was a significant crisis point, the team immediately put in risk reduction measures, providing more intensive two-to-one support until Amy’s mental health improved.
The team took the time to build trusting relationships with Amy and to provide her with the emotional support she needed. Amy’s mental health has now stabilised and for the first time in many years, she has stopped restricting her eating.
These improvements in her wellbeing meant that the team could really focus on building Amy’s independence skills and she has begun a college course as a result. She is also planning to undertake some voluntary work in her local community. In a few years, Amy’s life has completely transformed and she has come a long way since moving from a hospital into supported living. We are very proud of Amy and the progress that she has made.
*Names have been changed to maintain confidentiality.