Perfect Partnerships


At CIC we believe that collaborative and partnership working with like-minded organisations can be key to delivering personalised, flexible and innovative services to the people we support. One service really putting this principle into practice is 14 Norfolk Road, in Cumbria, which has recently been enjoying newly formed partnerships with both the University of Cumbria and independent advocacy organisation, People First. You First caught up with Norfolk Road Manager, Martin Holmes, to find out more…


“Remaining attuned and responsive to the changing needs of the people we support is vital to providing person- centred care and support, and for me, partnerships are a key way of achieving this,” explains Martin.


With this in mind, Martin approached the University of Cumbria’s Occupational Therapy (OT) department, proposing a partnership that that he felt would not only benefit the people at Norfolk Road, but would also provide a great learning opportunity for the Uni’s OT students.


After meeting with Geogina Callister, the Senior Lecturer at the School of Rehabilitation and Public Health, Martin was delighted when she agreed to endorse an 8-week placement for two final year OT students.


Making plans “My proposal was for the students to work closely with two service users, David and Roger, who both have learning difficulties. We really wanted to improve on our communication with David, who has sensory impairment, and we also felt that Roger’s independence could really be improved with education around everyday life skills.”


Working with this brief, the students supported David to create a sensory communication-board, including different scents and smells, giving David more


Roger is supported in the kitchen by support workers Kayley McGowan and Gary Foley


choice and control. “The communication- board is a great initiative,” says Martin. “It attributes different scents and smells to different activities, giving staff at the service a better understanding of David’s likes and dislikes. This means we can make sure he is doing more of the things he enjoys, which is what our support should be all about.”


“With Roger, the students worked with him and his key worker Clarke, to help create a plan which would increase his confidence in the kitchen, doing everyday tasks such as washing dishes or making a cup of tea; again, this has been a huge success,” adds Martin.


Martin has now been invited to co- present a workshop at the University, discussing the mutual benefits of such placements for both people supported and students. The service is also looking forward to welcoming two new students later on in the year.


Passport to progress


The theme of improved communication was also the catalyst for another partnership enjoyed by the team at Norfolk Road, with Lorna Smith, a Specialist Advocacy Worker, from Cumbria People First’s ‘Voices of the Voiceless’ Project.


Carol Graham, David’s Key Worker, shows colleague, Peter Cork, David’s sensory communication board


“The aim of the project is to work alongside people who can’t communicate verbally, focusing on areas such as social activities, accessibility and service developments,” explains Lorna. “Ultimately our goal is to offer non-verbal service uses access to tools which mean they can better communicate their feelings and wishes, and ultimately lead better lives.”


Communication Passports use written words, photographs and video to document how a person communicates and help staff to understand how to better communicate with them. “The communication passports have been a great addition to the support plans we create for our service users, enabling us to ensure that people are supported in a personalised and unique way,” explains Martin.


Give it a try


So what is Martin’s advice for CIC’s managers looking to bring partnerships to their services?


“In care, as in life, there are always new things to learn,” says Martin. “By seeking out and being receptive to innovation from a number of sources, we have been able to greatly improve the lives of the people we support. I’d say to anyone who has an idea for a partnership to try and make this link. We’ve found that the partnerships we have developed have been very well received and actually mutually beneficial.”


Carol Graham spending time with David


You First | www.c-i-c.co.uk | 19


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