The importance of friendship in the lives of people supported at Swanton services has become a focus of the team at Telford’s Darwin Community Support.
After realising that some of the people who are supported independently were struggling with social connection, colleagues have been actively helping to develop new friendships and revitalise old bonds.
Peripatetic Care Manager Zoe Carter said that some of the people supported were finding it hard to forge friendships now they were living in their own homes and having fewer opportunities to socialise in groups.
So, she and her colleagues have been working with the people they support to get out and meet new mates, match-making friendships across services and putting them in touch with old pals.
Zoe said: “Good friends are vitally important in all our lives, and the people we support are no different.
“One of the most powerful examples of this for me was when I went to visit Steve, who we support, and he broke down in tears because he was so lonely.
“I never want the people we support to feel that way, so I started thinking about people in other services that Steve might get on well with.
“Happily, I was able to speak to the Scheme Managers who introduced him to Ed from the Crown and John from Highmount. Everyone is getting on really well!
“They’ve already been out doing things together, like bowling and hanging out at home for cuppas, too!”
Zoe added that when we started talking about friendship, she was struck by the number of pals who’d lost touch.
This was because some day services they attended have reduced or closed down, or they are no longer attending the same groups.
Zoe added: “The people we support at Highmount know many people supported in the community, and we were able to reunite them through some group events.
“It was terrific to see them reconnect as they hadn’t seen each other in ages.
“Another heart-warming example was when Carol moved into High Mount and took part in a craft event there.
“She was met by Janet, who she used to spend time with at a day service a while back, and they were thrilled to see each other.
“Janet immediately asked after Carol’s mum, who has sadly passed away, and they were able to bond over both losing parents. Seeing them share this moment of connection and empathy was lovely.”
Zoe says that the team is now working towards a big event to bring even more people together across the Telford services.
They’ll be hosting a beach-themed picnic for all the people they support and hope to see even more connections made.
Zoe said: “We’re praying the weather doesn’t let us down and we’re able to give the people we support a terrific experience and a great chance to develop friendships.”
