From Day Client to 24/7 Support at The Meath
Having attended The Meath Skills Centre as a day client over the past couple of years, Francesca recently moved to The Cottages, on-site at The Meath Epilepsy Charity.
After just a few weeks of settling into her new home, Francesca was keen to share her experience of moving to The Meath and making new friends. Along with the many positives, she also shared some of the challenges she is experiencing. Sitting in her new Kitchen with Support Worker Debbie and housemate Hannah, Francesca explained
“It’s a big change; there are so many people to get to know and things to remember.”
The support surrounding Francesca from staff and her peers was apparent, with Debbie reassuring her of the support she has from staff, and Hannah keen to remind Francesca of their friendship she and her peers can offer. Hannah chimed,
“She’s a good friend and housemate, she’s been doing loads of cooking, and she makes the best cups of tea!”
Francesca’s concerns for the challenges she is navigating seemed to lift, and a smile emerged as she began to consider the sense of purpose and value, she had already gained from becoming a housemate at The Meath.
Support to Live as Independently as Possible
Francesca has epilepsy, autism, type 2 diabetes and a learning disability. Her support staff explained that her epilepsy is well managed and that Francesca can independently record and monitor her blood sugar levels, with staff stepping in if needed. Due to a combination of her health conditions/ medications to help manage them, Francesca often experiences tiredness.
With complex health conditions under careful management, currently staff are supporting Francesca through a time of change and adjustment. While Francesca views her move to The Meath as positive progress, she is finding her way.
Surrounded by Support & Taking New Opportunities
Encouraged by Hannah’s supportive comments, Francesca’s focus shifted to some of the things that she enjoys about living at The Meath, and some of the things that she finds helpful when feeling worried.
“I Like Yoga, it’s relaxing and makes me feel calmer. I listen to ocean music. I’ve also joined the Choir, it’s a new session for me and it’s good that my housemate Philippa is in the Choir.”
Francesca also explained that she feels good about going to the gym every week.
Day Services & Skills Centre“I enjoy walking, not running, on the treadmill and I also like the cycling machine.”
A Love of Animals
Francesca has a deep love for animals, particularly Guinea Pigs, as she used to have them as pets. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed at The Meath. However, she thoroughly enjoyed her first monthly animal visit, where she got to hold three young Guinea Pigs. She made a great effort to learn and remember their names: Custard, Hob-Nob, and Cookie.
Balancing Free Time with Rest, Fun and Socialisation
In her free time, Francesca likes to have some time to herself in her new bedroom. Inside her room, an array of 5-minute Disney Stories and Disney plushies revealed her love of Disney films and characters.
“The 5 Minute Disney books are my favourite. I also like books about animals.”
When Francesca is feeling sociable, she enjoys doing puzzles and playing games with staff and her friends. Explaining that sometimes she finds word searches tricky, her friend Hannah offered encouragement.
“I helped you with a wordsearch puzzle- you were good!”
Francesca’s other new friend and housemate Katie joined her at the kitchen table over a cup of tea, and was equally enthusiastic about Francesca moving in.
“She’s great company! She’s nice to do puzzles with and we had a movie night for her birthday!”
Shortly after moving to The Meath, Francesca celebrated her 32nd Birthday during a weekend home with her mum, but her friends celebrated her belated birthday with her, sharing cake and enjoying a movie evening. Her Support Worker Debbie explained
“We sometimes join up with the housemates in the flat below at the Cottages; they watched Puss in Boots together downstairs with the residents who live in ground floor flat. It was fun for them and they enjoyed having popcorn and hot chocolate. It’s great to support with fun and socialisation, just as it’s also lovely to support Francesca with being busy and taking part in everyday life skills.”
Feeling Proud of Her Progress
Hearing so many positive comments about her contribution as a housemate and friend seemed to help Francesca to recognise her own progress. She shared that she feels ‘proud’.
Mindful of Francesca’s understandable challenges during a time of significant change, Support Worker Debbie prompted Francesca to think about all of the support she has at The Meath. Together with Debbie and her friends, Francesca listed the things that help her to feel less worried or overwhelmed.
Francesca is proud to share her List of Things That Help Her:
Staff- “I can talk to staff about my worries or ask for help.”
Friends- “My friends are kind, and I like doing puzzles with them. I also have friends in The Meath Choir”
Quiet time- “When I need quiet time, I can go to my room to read or colour in.”
Feeling worried or stressed- “Yoga and reading help me to feel relaxed. I feel calm when I cuddle the Guinea Pigs, too.”
New Opportunities and Good Times Ahead
With an expanding list of new friends, supportive staff at The Cottages, The Skills Centre and around The Meath, and new social opportunities at The Hive and in the local area to explore, the future looks extremely positive for Francesca. We wish her the very best as she continues to adjust to her new routine, get to know lots of new names and faces and try new opportunities. Catherine Agca, Head of Operations commented,
“Francesca should feel really proud. It helped that she was used to attending Skills Centre sessions as a day client and she spent lots of transition time having lunches at The Cottages and getting to know everyone there. As well as overseeing the Skills Centre, I’m privileged to welcome and support residents into their new home as part of my role. It’s fantastic to see Francesca doing so well, in a setting that offers everything she needs to thrive.”