Paul

Psychology graduate Paul has worked in the support sector for a decade, taking on the Service Manager role at Cornmill House in November 2018. He is hugely proud of the ethos he has championed in that time with a major focus on personalisation.

“Over two years, we’ve established a unique creative environment here where we encourage our teams to think outside the box but alongside the people who they have that support in mind for. We want to encourage independence and think of our work here as creating packages where our staff work with residents – not for them. Driving personalization means our employees can deliver the right kind of support that means our residents can live on their own terms.”

That involves establishing the right blend of long and short-term goals to move the journey of independence on. “We look at a moment in time and what we can do. It may start with helping to handle money, checking receipts and change to support a journey towards improving understanding of finances. That’s built-up progression of a goal that is empowering for residents.”

The design of Cornmill House and its location are both of prime importance to Paul. “There’s everything residents could want in the service. It’s person specific with lots of adaptations for people with mild learning disabilities through to physical disabilities that require tracking hoists.

“The environment in the service meets every resident’s needs and support workers can do things without obstacles or barriers being in their way. That means we can provide fluid support. It means everything is proactive and there is no wasted time.

“The service is in a great location too. We have the local shopping parade and supermarkets close by, and we are on a main route into Leeds which takes just 15/20 minutes. There’s everything inside the service and outside to encourage independence. Our residents go to local events and are seen as members of the community. People know them and understand them.