Friendship Care and Housing
Diane's story
Diane joined Friendship as a day care operative 10 years ago.
She initially worked part-time to accommodate the commitments of a
young family.
For the past 3 years she has worked as an Assistant Team Leader
in Residential Care. This involves assisting the Team Leader whilst
still maintaining a person centred approach. The flexibility of
this role allows the ATL to accommodate the service users' needs
and aspirations regardless of day or time.
During her time with Friendship, Diane has gained valuable
experience, been encouraged and supported by management, undertaken
regular training, achieved an NVQ level 4 in Care. In recognition,
she has recently been promoted to the position of Team Leader in
the Supported Living Service.
Diane is immensely proud and passionate about her work and the
colleagues she works with. She and her team care for and support
six adults with learning difficulties (aged between 31 & 65).
Although they may all be non-verbal, she is quick to point out that
they are all more than capable of communicating their needs
extremely well.
As an ambassador of her profession, for the past 18 months Diane
has taken her knowledge into local schools, regularly talking with
students looking at career options. She enjoys sharing her
experiences of working in care and support with the students.
Diane's day may range from dealing with normal day to day
routine to witnessing the animated delight of a resident taken in
their wheelchair to the waters edge at the seaside for the first
time and experiencing the gentle waves lapping their ankles. To
seeing the excitement of one of the service users, going up in a
plane and helping to drop aerial poppies for Remembrance Day. Or
watching the gradual transition of a quiet, introverted lady, who
had lived most of her life in institutions, reluctantly join the
forget-me-not club, the church and its activities and seeing that
same lady flourish, making friends and becoming a welcomed and
respected parishioner.
'An absolute joy' is how Diane would describe working with
people with learning difficulties. She takes great pleasure in the
way they naturally embrace life, their fun, honesty and genuine
nature.
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