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Path to Independence
For a young person with learning difficulties the big step from childhood to independent life can be a very challenging time. Like anyone John and Barbara Taylor have always dreamt of their son Tom having an independent life, living it to the fullest and in the way that he wants. This dream has recently become a reality for the family and Tom is now living independently in his own tenancy for the first time.
Tom Taylor moved out of his family home in October 2007 and is now living
independently, with support from Paragon, in his own home in Lancashire. Tom is only a few miles away from mum and dad.
“We didn’t want Tom to leave home because he needed to or because it was an emergency,” explains Tom’s mum, Barbara Taylor. “Over the past few years we also became aware that being at home must have been rather dull for Tom. Our two other children have left home and moved away and we felt he needed more. We wanted Tom to have more stimulation and to experience new things.”
The family began to look into the various options available for Tom and together with his social worker decided that a supported living tenancy
could be the perfect set up. The family were fully involved in the whole process, with John (Tom’s dad) a member of the interview panel recruiting the support provider. “John was impressed with Paragon’s service provision and their person centered approach,” explains Barbara.
Tom would be living in a shared tenancy, with one other person, and Paragon would provide support for Tom to live as independently as possible. When the time came for things to start moving it was a big step for the family. “Tom moving into his own place and out of home was always an idea in our minds, but it was always something for the future. However all of a sudden it was happening – Tom was leaving home and it was a very emotional moment.”
Mum and Dad made sure Tom was fully included from the start and the first step was for Tom to meet his support staff. Barbara says: “Paragon staff met with Tom many times. They would come to ours at the weekends and spend time getting to know him. We also took Tom to the house as it was being decorated and furnished so he could get used to being there. We gradually began to take some of Tom’s personal things to the house. His sister and his grandparents also came to see the new house with him. All these things got the idea into his head about the move.”
Barbara puts Tom’s smooth transition from the family home and into his own tenancy down to the great relationships he has developed with staff. “The Paragon staff who work with Thomas have got to know him very well,” says Barbara. “We are really happy with the strong relationships they have built with Tom and we are pleased he is being supported by men as well as women.”
Paragon support and encourage Tom to be as independent as possible. Bob Hulme is Tom’s key worker, he says: “Tom loves to be active, for example today we are off swimming in Southport, going out for lunch and then a big walk along the pier. Tom is also a member of his local gym in Burscough. He likes the treadmill and is getting really good at it.”
Tom loves being outdoors and his new home, in the heart of the country, is the perfect location. “We often go for walks around the area. There are lots of really good paths around here. We are always out and about,” Bob adds.
Tom’s mum and dad are delighted with his progress. Barbara says: “It was an emotional time for us but Tom took it all in his stride. Overall it has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for him. Tom can’t speak but we know he is happy. In the past Tom was sometimes frustrated and upset but he is now more thoughtful about his responses and has really matured. He has different routines in his new home and new relationships which work well. It’s this combination that has made the move such a success.”
Ten months down the line Tom has left home and is leading an independent life. “He came to see us last Friday for lunch. He just popped in and then was off with his support staff leading his own life. This is the only proof we need that the move is working out,” says Barbara.
Tom is now an independent and confident young man and has a quality of life in his own home. Barbara adds: “I do miss him a lot but I know that his move to independent living is positive. It’s not been a problem free process but we are delighted at the way it has turned out for our son. We are very proud.”