Starts at Home Day 2022 | Interview With a Support Worker
For Starts at Home Day, we headed down to one of our properties in Fairfield, where a tenant of ours receives around-the-clock support from Maxine, a Support Worker at Accomplish Group.
We spoke with Maxine about the value of care and the importance of supported housing for those looking to live with independence.
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Walk us through your day-to-day duties as a Support Worker
We have a routine of a morning where we’ll get up around half seven in the morning, Peter (name changed for privacy reasons) will take his required medication, we’ll help him run a bath, get dressed, and then it’s time for breakfast while sitting down to watch some TV. We help Peter make breakfast just in case there are any issues with the hot appliances. After that, we either go shopping, pay bills or go for lunch. It’s important for Peter to have regular conversations with the people that work in the shops nearby. If we’re heading into town, we go early to avoid the crowds. When we’re back, it’s time for a cuppa and to catch up on the afternoon programmes before we have tea. Peter assists with preparing the tea every night and washes the dishes afterwards. After tea, there’s time to relax before having another bath to unwind before bed.
What activities do you get up to with Peter?
He’s got a good social life. Peter loves Everton Football Club. He goes to all the matches with his family and watches them back at home. He likes going for walks - mainly because I get lost so easily; Peter thinks it’s hilarious. We go on holiday to Towyn in North Wales quite often; he loves going there, so we usually go for a long weekend.
Accomplish Group host Halloween and Christmas parties for those receiving support locally. Peter looks forward to them every year. There are also regular afternoon tea events, where people can socialise and play games.
How important do you think supported housing is for those in need?
It gives people independence and the chance to make their own choices. Last year when Peter moved in, he asked for a party - and because we’ve got the garden now, it was lovely because all of his family came round, we decorated the house, and he was proud to show everyone his home. That’s what supported housing gives people, an opportunity to feel proud.
Fairfield, Liverpool.
Accomplish Group are a specialist provider of support for over 1000 people with Mental Health needs, Autism, Learning Disabilities and Acquired Brain Injuries. For over 30 years, their priority has been to enable people to live fun and fulfilled lives, across therapeutic, residential and supported living services throughout England and Wales.