Local Managers Bright Idea
The Manager of a local Craegmoor support service has been presented with a cheque for £2000 for her idea to implement a supported living scheme for people with learning disabilities and mental health problems.
10th September 2010
Janet Leadbeater is the Registered Manager of national support provider Craegmoor's 'Supporting You in Lincolnshire', a service that she herself saw the potential for.
Janet has been with the company for over eleven years and it was while she was managing their Glebe House service in Market Rasen that she responded to Craegmoor's challenge for staff to think of new ways to help people live more independently.
As part of Craegmoor's 'Bright Ideas' initiative, she sent in her idea for a new service in Lincolnshire that enables people to live more independently, whilst retaining support from the people they know and trust at Glebe House.
Janet was inspired by similar 'Supporting You' services that Craegmoor provide in other regions throughout the UK. Craegmoor were so impressed by Janet's idea that they put it into action and established the new support scheme in Lincoln.
Janet comments:
"I'd spoken to a lot of the people we support at Glebe House, as well as their friends and relatives, and I felt that there was a lack of support in the area for people who were ready to move on. Supporting You in Lincolnshire works so well because it enables the people we support to maximise their independence, whilst giving them the reassurance that they know the staff supporting them - and they always have that support network on hand whenever they choose to use it."
"I'm very happy to have been awarded £2000 for my idea which is now a job I love doing. It's fantastic to work for an organisation that recognises your hard work and gives such great rewards."
One of the people supported by the service is Neil, who has lived in a range of services for many years. After spending time at Glebe House, Neil has developed the skills he needs to live independently, and he has even gained local employment as a dog walker, which has been one of his lifetime ambitions.
'Supporting You in Lincolnshire' and Glebe House are currently working to enable Neil to live independently. As well as supporting him find the right home, they will also be on hand to support him with the move, with buying furniture, setting up bills, budgeting and in getting involved in the local community.
Neil said:
"I've lived in residential care for a long time and I didn't think I'd be able to live alone. Since I've been at Glebe House I've learnt so many new things, and I'm really looking forward to having my own place. I know there will be lots of things to do and think about, but I'll have all of the people I know from Glebe House supporting me every step of the way."
For further information, please call the Craegmoor Press Office on
07590 990 995
ENDS
Notes to editors
• Craegmoor supports over 4,000 people with learning disabilities, complex needs and mental health illnesses as well as older people
• The wide range of services offered by Craegmoor include:
o Supported living services
o Residential care
o Specialist further education colleges
o Transition services
o Independent hospitals
o Recovery centres
o Nursing homes
o Specialist brain injury services
o Independent living in secure accommodation
• Craegmoor is one of the leading independent providers of specialist support in the UK with a turnover of approximately £170m and employing over 6,000 people
• Working alongside Primary Care Trusts and Local Authorities, Craegmoor constantly strives to design and deliver new needs-led services, which focus on the principles of choice and independence, enabling people to live with their local community and have fulfilled lives
• In addition to these partnerships, Craegmoor also believes that it is incredibly important to work closely with the people who use its services, their families and carers. People using Craegmoor services can expect staff to be passionate about working with them to achieve their personal goals.