Does the support of Livability’s staff make a difference to people’s wellbeing? As we prepare for the 2018 Livability Staff Awards, we share some statements from the people that use our services about how they feel our staff support their lives. Inspired by the New Economics Foundations ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’, we asked how they feel our staff help people to ‘connect’, ‘learn’, ‘get active’, ‘be mindful’ and ‘give’.
Connect
‘They encourage you to get out more in the community.’ Jason
‘I’ve made lots of friends.’ Lisa
‘I work in the community, I do lots of different activities that I couldn’t on my own.’ Farah
‘It has helped me by making new friends and not feeling so lonely.’ Sue W
‘They take me out a lot.’ Sue T
Learn
‘They teach me lots of new things. I have learned to cross the road. I do many new things and I am not so shy.’ Ashley
‘Getting out and about doing lots of things. I like learning, reading and writing and doing sums.’ Lisa
‘I’ve learned to embroider, learned to cook, learned to exercise more in the gym, made lots of friends. They are very helpful, very kind, supportive, good teachers.’ Gwenda
‘Livability has helped me grow in confidence and I am able to be more independent.’ Claire
‘I am able to do things like go to the cinema and go out in the evening. I am happy asking and paying for things. I’m more confident when using my money.’ Dale
Get active
‘Livability has made a big difference to my life. I can go to zumba for the first time.’ Hecate
‘I go to the gym and I enjoy going to zumba.’ Angela
‘They take you out to badminton.’ Jason
Be mindful
‘My support worker understands me. I can always talk to them.’ Hecate
‘I know the day’s activities and that is important to me. They speak to me in a gentle way if I get upset.’ Farah
‘They give good advice when you ask for it. It really inspires me being here. I feel so much more confident now.’ Chris.
Give … and enjoy life!
‘They support me in the community so I can work at the charity shop.’ Farah
‘I have a proper job delivering papers and I get paid for it.’ Sue
‘[Support from Livability] makes me feel on top of the world!’ Craig
‘I like to have a joke and have fun and a sense of humour with all the staff.’ Sue
‘I really like it here!’ Angela