John is a person we support in our Bramshaw House and has been facing significant challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic. Tragically, he experienced the loss of someone very close to him just before the pandemic, and more recently, he has lost another family member. These experiences have understandably impacted his emotional well-being and desire for social interaction. Although he frequently expresses a wish for more social events to meet new people, he often declines invitations when the time comes.
Over the years, the Bramshaw team have worked closely with John to identify activities that might enhance his social standing and encourage him to engage with others. He has participated in several events, including trips to Eastbourne for tennis matches, visits to Beaulieu, explorations of Tangmere Museum, and even a holiday at a cottage near Portsmouth. While these outings supported his ability to get out and about, they did not significantly improve his social network. However, they played a vital role in helping him gain confidence in social situations.
When they first arranged a visit to the Model Railway Club, John initially refused to go. They recognised that this event aligned perfectly with his interests and presented an excellent opportunity for him to meet new friends. To help him feel more comfortable, Karen, Bramshaw’s registered home manager, engaged in a conversation about the event, going through all the details once again. While he showed some interest, it was clear there was a barrier preventing him from fully committing.
To empower John and alleviate his concerns, he was encouraged to plan the day in detail; who he would like to accompany him, what activities he wanted to partake in while there, and if he had preferences regarding snacks, drinks, and transportation. He expressed a desire for one of the staff members to support him and indicated that he would prefer to travel to the event in the house vehicle.
Karen listened attentively to all of his concerns and communication with the staff member, who was more than happy to support John on this outing. The trip was a resounding success, and he is now looking forward to attending again with renewed enthusiasm.
In addition to the Model Railway Club, Mencap offers a variety of social events, and Bramshaw team are actively exploring ways to support the people we support in the home to attend as many of these opportunities as they desire. Their aim is to foster an environment where John and others can build meaningful connections and enhance their social lives.
