By Andy Robertson, CAN Trusted Reviewer
As Trusted Reviewers comes to the end of its first year this June, we are reflecting on all the activity and positive outcomes for the community that we’ve achieved already. Through listening to people’s experiences of day opportunities in the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole area, connecting people to their passions and exploring ways that people can have greater control over their support with more opportunities to do more of what they love.
At the start of our project, our team had initial conversations with over 100 clients, families and staff who attend Tricuro day centres located in Parkstone, Boscombe, Moordown and Christchurch. These meaningful conversations helped us discover what people enjoy doing in their lives and identify those who may be missing out on doing more of what they enjoy, due to a lack of available opportunities or awareness of what’s out there.
FLAiM client.
From mapping, meeting and engaging with a wide range of day opportunity providers and supported activities, which include transport providers and carer activities ranging from small community groups to larger organisations and agencies, we’ve supported 36 taster sessions with a few more to go! The project has provided more than 80 clients with the opportunity to participate in a variety of taster sessions, which allowed them to try something new in their local community.
Now that the project has progressed into the ‘taster transition phase’, we are extremely happy to be supporting 15 clients who are currently undergoing care plan reviews with adult social care to continue to access their new activities. These clients, who initially attended taster sessions at various community providers, have decided to move permanently into a variety of meaningful activities that they enjoy, including FLAiM, Spirit ‘n’ Motion, Just4U and Kath’s club.
Our project at CAN is extremely proud to be making a difference in people’s lives and witnessing the wonderful progress clients have achieved in such a short time. Connections with new community activities have provided people with opportunities to find new passions, learn new skills, create new social circles and opportunities to connect with Shared Lives. Ultimately, these new experiences will hopefully bring greater happiness and lead to more fulfilling lives.
A wellbeing session with ‘Nelly the Therapy Dog’ run by Aim Community (at FLAiM)
