Shining a light on Supported Living

What do you imagine when you think about Supported Living?

Many people might have different ideas, but if promoting independence and encouraging people to live their best life come to mind then you would be on the right track.

In Magherafelt and its surrounding areas, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust manage a number of Supported Living facilities which are making a positive difference to residents, like 22-year-old Veronique Curry.

She lives at Nenagh Court in The Loup, where a dedicated team of support workers are on hand to provide her with the help she needs on a day-to-day basis.

Despite being hesitant at first, she now admits that she didn’t expect it to be so good for her, with staff coming in for special praise.

“I was worried the first time I came here but I have been really surprised. The staff are amazing and it is the best place to live. They are all so understanding and I feel like I can tell them anything,” she said. “I have freedom but they are there to support me when I need it and they are helping me to be as independent as possible.”

While living at Nenagh Court, Veronique was encouraged to enrol on a beauty therapy course and is currently taking driving lessons. She enjoys going to the gym, shopping and getting her nails done – all of which is made possible by the help and encouragement she receives from Support Workers.

For Denise Kelly, Supported Living has made a huge difference to her brother.

60-year-old Kevin, who is originally from Draperstown, now lives at the recently opened Fairhill Court in Maghera.

“Kevin is very happy there, he has come a long way, and that is down to the support he receives. He gets help with his shopping, they go out for meals together, it really is like an extension of his family,” said Denise.

“He has a pet dog which means the world to him, and the staff take a great interest in it as well, getting them out for walks every day.

“It is great for us to know that he is so well looked after. He is doing so much more for himself and he is a happier man all round.”

Michael O’Boyle also lives in Fairhill Court, and his brother Kevin says his quality of life is now better than ever.

“The new place in Maghera is really fantastic. He has such a great social life now we need to check that he’s at home and not out somewhere before we would call in for a visit. It suits him so well, and he’s close to the Adult Centre in the town where he would go regularly.

“Michael is coming 70 now, and his mobility isn’t as good as it would have been, but the staff there go over and above for him. I can’t say enough about them and what they have done for him, and us as a family as well. It’s just great for us to see him so settled.

“I was talking to one of the young Support Workers in there recently and when I asked him why he decided to work there he said it was about the satisfaction he got out of his role. You see this every time you go in – the staff are so dedicated to the tenants.”

Angela Reid, the Northern Trust’s Head of Respite and Supported Living for Learning Disability Services, said she would love to see more people considering employment in social care.

“I have seen at first hand the impact our Support Workers have on our Service Users, and how they can make a lasting difference to their health and wellbeing, and overall quality of life.

“It is a really important role, which as Michael has said, offers genuine job satisfaction. We’re currently recruiting for Support Workers in the Magherafelt area and in locations across the Trust so if you have an interest in making a career out of caring for others we would love to hear from you.”

Are you interested in joining our Adult Learning Disability team?

We are currently recruiting for Band 3 Support Workers and Band 5 Daycare Workers in Antrim, Larne and Magherafelt, and across the Northern Trust area.

Come along to one of our upcoming Recruitment Open Days where you can meet with staff members and learn more about what’s involved across our Short Breaks, Day Services, Supported Living, and Day Opportunities.

You can also complete an application and informal interview on the day.

Thursday 7 September: Holiday Inn Express, Antrim, 4pm – 8pm.

Saturday 9 September: The Terrace Hotel, Magherafelt, 11am – 4pm.

Saturday 16 September: Larne Adult Centre (782 Ballymena Road, BT40 2AD) 11am – 4pm.
Please note change of venue for the Larne Open Day.

If you would like further information, or to register your interest, please contact Susy Barry at Hollybank Short Break Unit on 02879633369 or email susy.barry@northerntrust.hscni.net

 

25th August 2023