Services To Older People
Walking Together With the People Of Scotland
Adult Care Services
Children and Family Services
Claymore’s Journey
At the age of 9, Claymore moved from living at home to residing in CrossReach’s Ballikinrain Care and Education service. Initially, he attended school there while he built up trust in his key worker and the staff who were supporting him. It wasn’t too long before it was agreed he could attend mainstream school in Balfron, where he thrived. He quickly became a popular member of the village and school communities and was able to represent the school through his passion – rugby. In his early teens, a place became available in Millmuir Farm (part of the Ballikinrain Campus) which he took and for continuity, his key worker continued to support him there. The nurturing environment suited Claymore and when the time came for him to leave and take up an apprenticeship with a roofing company, he said he felt ready to return home to live with his parents, which he did. It was a proud moment when Claymore was invited to meet the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland during CrossReach Week 2015, when he shared the story of his journey with him. This included telling him about the Who Cares? Scotland initiative he took part in, which resulted in The Children and Young People Bill being delivered to the Scottish Parliament. The initiative won the Young Scot Awards 2014. Since moving on from Ballikinrain, Claymore’s journey continues to feature contact with the CrossReach family from time-to-time and he invited his previous key worker to join him in sharing his ‘proud moment’ at the Moderator’s flat.
Aimee’s Journey
“I faced a tremendous amount of adversity before joining Morven Day Services in Kilmarnock but thanks to everyone there I have learned a number of skills both personally and professionally that have given me new coping strategies. My illness was completely debilitating, not only in terms of isolating me from the community, but also because the symptoms left me physically unable to do anything - including the ability to walk and read. This resulted in me losing my job and caused me to face homelessness, medicals, benefit systems, bankruptcy and having to give up university. I became consumed with the realisation that this would be my life from now on. Frustration set in, which led to a total breakdown and I tried to take my own life. This was me at my worst, but my involvement with Morven Day Services gave me the space to find myself again. Countless times they put up with my highs and lows, accepting me for who I am. Staff adapted to my needs and they encouraged me to take part in opportunities that have enabled me to give something back to Morven. They listened to me and supported me in finding solutions to deal with the negative aspects of my mental health. They helped me accept my diagnosis and move forward beyond the labels. The opportunity to volunteer and deliver art sessions along with developing fundraising ideas and putting these into practice enabled my confidence to grow. It gave me a sense of purpose again and meant that I was able to focus on helping others rather than on my own difficulties. Today, things are very different. My old manager asked me to consider working for him again. I have since traveled the world, got married, moved house and am going to be a mum. The dizziness and sickness that originally consumed me has resolved itself, mainly due to the enormous support from Morven. Words cannot explain how grateful I am for the friendship and encouragement I’ve received since becoming a service user and volunteer.�
Florence’s Journey
Florence’s journey is longer than most. It involves travelling to Rio de Janeiro to run the Marathon and she is using this opportunity to raise money for CrossReach. Many of us might associate Rio De Janeiro with the 2016 Olympic Games. For this 21 year old musician and student however it signifies her first ever marathon. Having never taken sport and exercise seriously, in September 2015 she made the brave decision to run a marathon! This journey started when her boyfriend was considering which overseas marathon he’d like to run. Choosing Rio De Janeiro, Florence decided she didn’t want to simply be a spectator and opted to take part. Just 8 months before starting orders, Florence bought a pair of running shoes and started training. The experience has been very different from playing her viola or from singing a tranquil aria and involved joining a gym and her University Lacrosse team. Even though she says it won’t be easy to run a marathon, Florence has been completely bitten by the exercise bug! “Choosing the charity to fundraise for wasn’t difficult”, Florence told us. “I had previously received counselling at the Tom Allan Centre. I had tried other services but found restricted numbers of sessions and being put onto long waiting lists before I could get more counselling difficult and unsettling. With the Tom Allan Centre there was no pressure to stop and this made a huge difference. It was great and it was a real bright spot in my week. I felt a huge level of support as I knew every week there was going to be someone I could talk to. Everyone I met was very friendly and kind. It’s for that reason I’m confident the money raised will go to a good cause within a great organisation.” “It’s my way of saying ‘thank you’.”
Helen’s Journey
“My name is Helen and I have just celebrated my 44th birthday. I have Cerebral Palsy and require assistance with all aspects of daily living. My journey with CrossReach started 3 years ago when I moved from my home to live at The Bungalow in Stonehaven. The Bungalow had just been extended due to the generosity of a legacy left by a Dr. Dixon of Dundee and a bedroom had been added which meant there was a vacancy. I was able to decorate the bedroom to my taste – my favourite colours are pink and purple and I have lots of pictures of my family around me and ornaments I have been given as presents from their travels. When I lived at home I attended a Day Centre four days a week but this was not possible when I moved. Working to support me in adjusting to these new circumstances, my carers helped me to integrate into the local community and I now have a very busy schedule and social life. I now attend a local Day Centre for two morning sessions a week participating in Rebound and Zumba. I go Carriage Riding, am a member of the Guild and participate in a monthly faith based group called ‘The Haven’ which is for people with Learning Disabilities. CrossReach’s The Bungalow service promotes my participation in activities which I am interested in and enjoy and my life journey is full and meaningful.”
Margaret’s Journey
Many of CrossReach’s 2,000 staff have personal journeys with the organisation, but not many last for 40 years like Margaret Cassidy who won the ‘Employee of the Year’ award in 2015. She began working at South Beach House in Ardrossan in 1975 as what is now called housekeeping assistant. Over the last four decades she has moved up through a number of roles including Cook, Care Worker, Team Leader, Deputy Manager and finally in 2006, Service Manager. This has equipped her with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the home, the community it serves and the social care sector in which she found her vocation. Throughout her working life she has been pro-active in seeking out and taking opportunities for professional development. As a care worker she completed SVQ 3 in Health and Social Care. This led to promotion to the post of Team Leader and the successful completion of SVQ 4 Care. As Deputy Manager, Margaret gained the SVQ 4 in Management. Recently, Margaret has also completed a PDA in Administration of Medication and a Diploma in Dementia Care Practice, which is the achievement she is most proud of (it involved attending Stirling University - something she would never have thought possible when she started with CrossReach back in 1975). “I don’t know where the 40 years have gone! I do remember walking in the door and thinking I didn’t like South Beach House. It was a great big home with all these older people in it – but when you’re 20 that’s what you see. Now that I’m 60, it’s just followed me all my life, and it’s been such a big part of my life and I just love my job. The care is provided by a great team – a qualified team. We’ve got a devoted staff group here and that’s what makes South Beach House so good.” “My journey with CrossReach has lasted 40 years – and it’s been a very happy one.”
Phyllis’ Journey
Following the death of her husband 10 years ago, Phyllis moved in with her daughter and son-in-law. She appeared to be managing well until May 2014 when she had a fall and suspected stroke. She lost her confidence, became tearful and said she felt afraid and ‘locked in’. Phyllis was transferred from hospital to Oversteps care home in Dornoch in October 2014. Initially she continued to be very tearful, anxious and unsettled overnight. However, after about two weeks, she began to come to the dining room for meals and started to meet some of the residents. Feeling unsteady when walking, she used a Zimmer frame for confidence. Phyllis began to participate in small group activities like soft ball and napkin folding. At this stage she was still very cautious about interacting with others and continued to spend a lot of time in her bedroom watching television. Phyllis gradually gained confidence and began to build relationships with a few of the residents. She would walk to certain areas in the home and walk up and down stairs to exercise. She began to build relationships with the staff too and accepted assistance with aspects of personal care. Visiting the in-house hairdresser initially made her anxious but now Phyllis books herself in every month! She reads books and regularly visits the mobile library. She knits in her bedroom and has successfully made a handbag and a doll. She welcomes new residents and is always looking out to support others who may appear lonely. Recently, Phyllis took the decision to get new dentures. She felt that with the support of the staff and her daughter, she would be able to go and get the necessary treatment. Phyllis commented that she could not have successfully achieved this without the care and support from the staff of Oversteps. Today, Phyllis no longer uses her Zimmer frame and walks independently throughout the home. She delightedly says that the staff of Oversteps are just like family to her.
Violet’s Journey
Violet has been going to Oasis Day Care in Garelochhead twice a week for the past year. “The Oasis has made a big difference to my life. They are a lovely group of ladies and men. I enjoy the company so much and I like the care that I receive AND the cook is very good… (maybe she will give me double helpings for saying that!). I couldn’t ask for anything better really. I feel better for coming here - the carers at home are lovely too, but their time is limited and there is no space to have a good talk as they have other people to see as well. I therefore really appreciate coming to The Oasis where I have all day to enjoy the company and plenty of opportunities for chatting to the other people. I think the activities are great and they keep me stimulated - they keep my brain active - you have to think all the time. I love the physical games which encourage me to stay as active as I can. I also like to share in activities where the participants can have a laugh together: for example, I really enjoy the floor darts with us all trying to beat one another – it’s good fun. I really enjoy my lunches - I always look forward to my meals here and love having the company, as I eat on my own at home. I never know what’s going to be on the menu and that’s something to look forward to. The smells from the kitchen make me feel hungry and we always have a choice. I have made good friends here with people I didn’t know before, even though (to my surprise) some of them live near me! So being part of The Oasis really has widened my circle of friends and coming to The Oasis really is worth getting out of bed for in the morning!”
Jason’s Journey
Jason came to stay in The Garratt in Springburn, Glasgow in 2011 which was his home until recently. Service Manager Sandy Russell describes Jason’s journey: “Jason has a physical disability and a learning disability and requires the support of staff to live as independent a life as he can. Jason is a typical teenage boy - mad about football with a good sense of humour and he enjoys anything that gets his adrenaline going. While with us he had many different experiences including the regular use of his season ticket at Firhill football ground, holidays to Blackpool and being out and about in all types of weather - the worse the weather the more it appeals to Jason! Jason likes nothing better than to go to Ibrox to watch a match involving his favourite team. Jason’s sense of humour always shines through when you speak to him about football. All journeys come to an end and when Jason turned 18, it was time for him to move on. While there was sadness from the other children and staff about Jason moving, there was great excitement too - the bungalow Jason was moving to had a lively group of adults and it was situated right next to Ibrox with a promise of Home match tickets! We were delighted and could think of no better beginning to this new journey for Jason.”
CrossReach Charis House 47 Milton Road East Edinburgh EH15 2SR
www.crossreach.org.uk
CR0152
t: 0131 657 2000 e: bdd@crossreach.org.uk