Written by the Deputy Supported Living Manager at 51 Rutland Gardens

When M first arrived at 51 Rutland Gardens she displayed regular dangerous behaviour (ranging from 1- 6 incidents a day) which she found  very difficult to control. Her diabetes and diet were not controlled; she was overweight and was on 2:1 support to go out in the community. She had no control over her own finances, rarely got involved in any activities and was unable to have access to any kitchen equipment unless eating. M does not like people to get too close and initially was unable to have any close contact with staff or service users, which would result in her eating alone and only going out with staff on rare occasions.

1 year later...

M now prepares her own menus using healthy eating recipes and cooks all of her meals using fresh ingredients which she purchases herself. Her diabetes has dramatically improved and she now needs to administer less insulin, she has her own medication cabinet and fridge for insulin in her room. She has lost 3 stone in weight and has gone from a size 18 to a size 14 (nearly a size 12). M can now walk to Tesco’s and back without a rest (this is a 20 minute walk each way)

Staff have spent a lot of time with M on a 1-1 basis; we have attended health appointments, gone clothes shopping and food shopping together. M can now go to the local shops with any staff members. During Christmas 2008 M achieved her life dream which was to go and stay with her mum and dad and not have any incidents. This was achieved which made her family so proud of her. Her parents feel especially proud of her and have praised the hard work undertaken by the staff.

M now cooks all her own meals, does her laundry, cleaning and personal care with support. M is now able to travel on buses (this is something M had not done for many years) and has a job in a charity shop run by the Spiral group. It gives her such pleasure to go to work and meet and deal with people.

M is now doing activities that she and her family never thought she would be able to do because of her behaviour, these include going to work, swimming, travelling on buses and on trains, shopping in Brighton town centre, going out for meals and going to get her hair done.

Her parents have said that she is more mature now and still say they can’t believe the change in their daughter. Her mother rang recently to thank me for taking M out for her birthday, this year I surprised her and we went to the Sea life centre where she fed the turtles. M told me and her parents that it was the best birthday she’d ever had. M now manages her own finances, has a bank account and debit card and a safe in her room.

M used to ring her parents up to 6/7 times a day but by building her independence and confidence up she now rings only once a day. Her dream is to go to Disneyland at Christmas which we hope to make happen with lots of planning, goals and support. M still needs a lot of 1-1 support but her list of achievements is exhaustive and still growing!