Summary
The project provided staff, transport and activities for our Tuesday evening disabled adult group. This offered them independent time out from home as the majority of them live with older parents/carers. The funding provided the staff escort for transport and funded the cost of transport of one bus for South Lanarkshire residents for the year. This removed a barrier to attendance, which is particularly vital during the dark winter period. The transport provision also reduces parent/carers stress as they are not obliged to drop off and pick up. Two members of staff went out on two runs, one for the south side of Castlemilk and the other South Lanarkshire. The programme of activities was led by the adults, but also included seasonal activities including a Halloween disco in the Birgidale complex and a Christmas disco and meal in the Beechwood bar in Kingspark, Glasgow. The group enjoy these trips out and these are held to a later time, recognising their right to be out late in the evening socialising, similar to their non disabled peers. Carers benefitted from one evening a week respite with door to door transport, knowing that their adult will be cared for by suitable and PVG registered staff with the skills and knowledge to support them. For the adults, this group reduces their isolation , improves their physical and mental health and wellbeing. They have the time to be with their peers and maintain and develop friendships. One adult post on his Facebook page every week prior to attending the groups 'that he is looking forward to attending C.O.J.A.C. and seeing all his friends and staff.'
What Caring Operations Joint Action Council (C.O.J.A.C) has learned
Not all adults with disabilities have the same needs, interests, or support requirements. During the year we had two adults who were so anxious, it was difficult to get them to leave home, get on the bus or even join in activities. One left and the other is off with mental health issues. Therefore, they may require a different kind of support and that our group was not for them. We try to make that clear to families, family support workers and social workers from the outset. Therefore, clear, accessible communication is vital. We also arrange visits and allow short time visits with the group to ease people into a new setting. It is about working with the carer and cared for from the beginning and finding what is best for them.
Impact on beneficiaries
Castlemilk is an area of high deprivation and is classed as the most deprived area in Glasgow. 65% of the 20 data zones in Castlemilk are ranked as 5% most deprived.
The funding supported 17 carers to have weekly evening respite for 50 weeks of the year. Transport was provided to pick up and drop off disabled adults ensuring transport was not a barrier to attendance or place an additional burden on older carers to drop off and collect. Many of the parents/carers are getting older and may have their own health issues. For example, one carer has COPD and can become quite ill, suddenly. Parents and carers benefitted from the brief respite every week reducing burnout, improving their mental health and supporting their caregiving role.
The adult group comprises 15 disabled adults ranging from 25 years upwards. We provide minibus transport with escort to ensure there are no barriers to attendance. Castlemilk has limited public transport in the evenings and has no train station. Disabled adults are increasingly finding themselves at home and isolated due to living at home with elderly family/carers and reduced support from social services. Local authorities have moved to a ‘critical and substantial’ in terms of service delivery/ supports. This is continuing to have an impact on families affected by disability compounded with the rise in the general cost of living and high energy prices.
The adults enjoyed various activities, including arts and crafts, karaoke, quizzes, baking and cooking, using the sensory garden and back play area (when the weather was better), Halloween disco and Christmas dinner and disco in the Beechwood bar.
Adult groups are very much involved in programme planning and there is always of choice of activities for everyone to choose what they want to do.
We undertook an annual evaluation with families, carers and service users. This showed clearly the demand for adult services and how satisfied everyone was with this service. Our board comprises both families/carers of children and adults who use our services, which ensures that we always have lived experience directing service delivery.
Outcome 1.: Carers enjoy the social aspect of activities. For example, being able to meet other parent/carers through our social events, such as Halloween disco and fundraisers.
Outcome 2. One lone parent carer has twice been subject to mental health crisis and the project was able to continue to support her cared for adult during this period. This assured mum that his place would not be lost and helped with her anxiety.
Outcome 3: Parents and carers benefitted from a regular weekly break from caring safe in the knowledge that their cared for adult was being looked after by experienced and SSSC registered staff. Our adults love coming to the group and that can be seen by the regular attendance and one adult posting regularly on his Facebook page about coming to C.O.J.A.C.