Success Stories /
Alan’s Success Story
Alan was a physically aggressive, destructive young man with a mild Learning Disability. He had an explosive temper and no sense of responsibility. Alan would have had to move to secure accommodation if we were not successful.
Eight years later, Alan has accessed a mainstream horticulture/equestrian college and at the graduation ceremony he was awarded the tutors prize.
Alan now has an unsupported work placement at a bird rescue centre within the local community. He takes pride in ensuring he works hard and has developed a real sense of responsibility within his everyday life.
Alan has matured into a hard working, more confident person who has good social skills.
Alan is now more able to manage his emotions and his physically aggressive behaviour has decreased dramatically, with only isolated incidents. This has been achieved using positive behavioural management techniques with Alan and high staffing ratios within the home.
Tony’s Success Story
Tony has a severe Learning Disability and when he came to live with us we were informed that he had no verbal communication skills, he was on a substantial amount of medication, was overweight and would not engage in any activity.
Tony was placed on a medication reduction programme, he had lots of positive encouragement from the staff team working with him and it soon became apparent that he could develop his language skills.
Tony now communicates his needs verbally, is not on any medication and undertakes every activity that is offered to him. He is a very sociable person who likes to go out in the local community. Tony has developed a range of social skills and he is able to undertake household tasks including making drinks and snacks with staff support. Tony also accesses a supported work placement.
People who were involved in Tony’s care prior to him coming to live with us cannot believe how much he has achieved.
Tony is now an outgoing individual with a great sense of humour and high self esteem.
Andrew’s Success Story
Andrew is a 45 year old gentleman with Fragile X and moderate learning disabilties.
Andrew came to live with us at The Terrace in January 2006 after living in a local Treatment and Assessment Unit for over 8 months. During his stay at the Treatment and Assessment Unit, Andrew was discharged into the care of another specialist residential home but unfortunately was served notice to terminate his placement after only 3 days due to the level of challenging behaviour he exhibited.
When Andrew came to live with us, we were informed that he had limited verbal communication and only used one word at a time. Initially Andrew did not wish to participate in activites either internal or external to the home that were offered to him on a daily basis and Andrew displayed behaviours that challenged the service by means of hitting both staff and service users, being verbally abusive and destroying soft furnishings around the home.
The care team in The Terrace have worked extremely hard with Andrew through his difficult time, introducing him to new activities and life opportunities at a pace led by him. The care team have also spent time with Andrew verbally communicating and encouraging him to express himself in a more positive way by using verbal communication and to use positive re-direction when Andrew became anxious or agitated.
Andrew has now been living with us for over one year and the difference in his skills is quite remarkable. Andrew will now talk in sentences, using positive verbal communication skills to make his needs known. Andrew has an individual activity plan that has been developed which includes him going swimming, bowling, cinema, arts & crafts, hands & nails, along with lots of other activities that Andrew appears to enjoy and benefit from.
Andrew no longer destroys furniture and when he is feeling anxious or upset, he will ask staff to talk to him and will take himself to a quiet area within The Terrace which is a positive move forward for him and has vastly improved his quality of life.
Andy’s Success Story
When Andy first came to live at Wycar Leys in December 2002, he appeared to be unhappy, expressing this feeling by exhibiting severe behaviours that challenged the service. These behaviours included incidents of breaking windows, destroying property and physically assaulting staff members by means of punching, kicking, spitting and scratching them.
The staff team have spent time getting to know Andy and gain a good understanding of his needs and how to best manage situations where he challenged the service, reducing the risk factors to both himself and others. Since coming to live at our home, Andy has been encouraged to actively particpate in activities and life opportunities. Initially Andy required a considerable amount of encouragement and support to participate in the variety of opportunties offered, but gradually as his confidence has improved, he now appears to enjoy a whole range of community based activities and life opportunities. Andy now shows keen enthusiasm to socialise and he interacts well with members of the public. His favourite current passtime is taking photographs of the places he visits and people he has met.
Andy has now lived at our home for 5 years, his level of challenging behaviour has reduced greatly and he expresses himself more positively, choosing verbal communication as opposed to physical aggression. Andy has formed positive relationships with fellow service users and the staff team.
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All referrals are made to:
Mrs Joy Rachel Talbot R.N.M.H.
Operations Director
Wycar Leys
Kirklington Road
Bilsthorpe
Newark
Nottinghamshire
NG22 8TT
Tel : 01623 871752
