Voyage Care - 130 Whitworth Road

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Specialises in: Behavioural support, Learning disability

At 130 Whitworth Road we support four people with mild to moderate learning disabilities, who may also have mental health and behavioural support needs.

We are passionate about promoting independence, while ensuring everyone’s wellbeing. We strive to support and encourage individuals to develop skills in a warm, welcoming environment. We treat everyone with respect and dignity. We hold monthly meetings to enable the people who live at the service to discuss how they would like it to be run. We have an established staff team who work closely together, communicate well and build strong relationships with the people they support. Staff are enthusiastic and always go the extra mile. The staff team are well trained in many different areas and we also source specialist training to meet specific needs.

Our individual support plans are tailored to give people choice, independence and communication. These plans are person centred, based around the principles of inclusions and the social model of disability. The plans are flexible, setting no limits to each person’s wishes and dreams for their life. Plans are reviewed every six months and new goals set. We have previously supported individuals with difficult histories, enabling them to build their confidence, repair existing relationships with friends and family and build new ones.

People are encouraged to lead active lives and make the most of local facilities. We support individuals to participate in a range of activities tailored to their interests and wishes, these could include swimming, bowling, horse riding, local club nights, meals out, trips to Swindon town centre and visits to the cinema. We also have access to the local hydrotherapy pool, which is a ten-minute stroll away. The local college offers a range of courses, such as music, mediatation and arts and crafts. Other individuals choose to attend a day centre where they can participate in life skills sessions, beauty sessions and sports and recreation. We have a good relationship with people in the local area; one individual volunteers in a nearby charity shop and the whole service has been involved in fundraising events.

Should the person being supported wish to visit the local church, they are supported to do so. Any needs or preferences related to a person’s belief or culture will be discussed as part of the assessment process.

The service is within walking distance of shops and bus stops, and we also have our own vehicle, which allows us to access places further afield. The beautiful countryside of the Cotswolds is only 20 minutes away and there are many footpaths and cycle tracks locally. Journeys to and from individuals' family homes can also be supported.

We offer trips to resorts on the nearby south coast, visiting the beach and attractions. We also believe in ensuring our everyone has an opportunity to try something ‘for the first time’; recently individuals have been to London to visit Buckingham Palace, attended a West End show, been to zoos and safari parks, had holidays in Butlins and Weymouth and sat in the audience of the live shows of the X Factor auditions. These activities are constantly reviewed and monitored in the support plans and learning logs.

Everyone has the opportunity to become actively involved in the daily running of the service and the preparation of meals in the kitchen. One lady is, for the first time, planning to cook a roast dinner for her boyfriend and her parents, something she would never have dreamt of achieving without the support and dedication of the staff. She states that, ‘My life has been turned around for the better since I have moved into this home’.

130 Whitworth Road has spacious shared areas, giving everyone the option of socialising, taking part in activities or spending time alone. There is a large open plan lounge/diner with a plasma TV, DVD and stereo, making it an ideal place to relax. Each bedroom has en-suite facilities and people can choose how to decorate their own room.

The service has a large accessible driveway and a fully enclosed rear garden; this is accessible through patio doors in the dining room and provides opportunities for outdoor games and activities, as well as relaxation.