The dedicated Discovery team at Hillcrest Road in Somerset is committed to ensuring that those who draw on their services live truly fulfilling lives.
Their hard work not only earned them the Lord Rix Award for Supporting Older People with Learning Disabilities at the National Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards 2024, but it also guarantees the best possible life outcomes for the people they support.
Among the three elderly gentlemen supported by the team, two are living with dementia, a challenge that Hannah Grey and her dedicated team manage positively and proactively through strong collaboration. Their guiding motto is to help these gentlemen live their best lives, and they do so every day with a full schedule of activities.
The gentlemen regularly attend local day services, enjoy swimming, participate in discos, and assist with recycling at their property. One of them even volunteers with local park rangers, helping to maintain the area, plant flowers, and build friendships with fellow volunteers.
As Hannah explains, “We do work very closely with professionals, such as occupational therapists, physios and psychologists, for support. This includes training and putting into practice resources that help us set up active, inclusive lives for the three gentlemen.”
One such example is when their home was recently decorated.
“We did some research,” says Hannah, “with the help of an occupational therapist, to determine the best colour scheme. We chose a dementia-friendly palette to help the gentlemen easily distinguish between the floors and walls. Two of them picked their favourite colours from the palette, and we arranged the rest.”
Outdoors, the gentlemen truly thrive. Two of them regularly attend church each Sunday, where they’ve built wonderful relationships within the parish. Another maintains a cherished friendship with a longtime friend, meeting every week for a lunchtime carvery. Their bond is particularly special, as they’ve known each other for over 22 years and neither have close family to rely on.
One gentleman faithfully attends every home game of his local football team, Yeovil Town, a tradition he’s maintained for years, always claiming the same seat. He’s become a familiar face at the club, enjoying chats with the many friends he’s made over the years. His dedication was recently rewarded with a signed shirt from one of the players, now proudly displayed on his bedroom wall.
Holidays are also an important part of the support team’s schedule. Recently, two of the gentlemen enjoyed a lovely weekend in Poole, Dorset, with the itinerary carefully planned by the team but guided by the gentlemen’s preferences.
Assistant Locality Manager Kerry Enticott recalls, “We took a boat trip to Brownsea Island, visited Corfe Castle via the steam train from Swanage, and explored a tank museum. The trip was especially memorable with a classic car show that brought back childhood memories, and one gentleman was thrilled to see a James Bond car!”
Back at home, the team is dedicated to creating a warm, homelike environment for the gentlemen. They’re actively involved in gardening, planting produce throughout the year, which they later enjoy as part of their meals.
The team also transformed an old summer house, giving it a fresh coat of paint. It’s now a favourite gathering spot where the gentlemen can relax, either together or on their own.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the team,” concludes Hannah. “We’ve faced and overcome barriers but together have proactively challenged them.”
@DiscoveryLDA
discovery-uk.org
