Making it happen

Once you’ve figured out a person’s perfect week, you need to think about how to make it happen by exploring different options for support. Here are some examples of how different people and support networks can help. This process is called “Just Enough Support.”

Friends

How can friends and other important people help to deliver a perfect week? For example:

• Amelia has known John for years; they both love movies and always see the latest releases together.

• Mona sings with Jo in the church choir. She picks her up every Wednesday for practice.

• Saturday night is John’s time with the guys. They all go out to the local bar, have a few drinks and play pool. 

Community

Can initiatives like Timebank help to support the person? For example:

• Lesley wants to keep her garden tidy. She now lets local neighbors use it to grow their vegetables and flowers. They get to grow vegetables and she gets a tidy garden (and the odd fresh vegetable for dinner!)

• Tom has got to know a group of people that go to Sunday mass. They pick him up now and accompany him on his return a couple of hours later.

• Luke loves cycling and got involved with a local bike club.

Paid Support

How can we make sure that paid support is allocated appropriately? For example:

• Use the relationship circle with the person so that they can select their own team from existing staff.

• Match the person’s chosen team with the perfect week by using employees’ one-page profile to get a good match for shared interests.

• Use the matching support tool to make sure that there is a good match between the person being supported and their supporter.

Assistive Technology

How can assistive technology help? For example:

• Cath has an epilepsy bed-sensor to alert staff sleeping over if she has a seizure.

• Nisha has an audio alert that reminds her to take her door key with her when she opens the front door.

• Richard uses a GPS device to help him get around town without someone guiding him. Richard also wanted the device to alert supporters if he wandered outside of a certain area, as he knows he can get lost.