Findings
The key to wellbeing
The key to wellbeing
Opportunities and freedom
We found the key to well-being is having the opportunities to do the things we really love to do, even if we choose not to do them on a particular day. Having opportunities allows us to look forward to doing things.
Carla's Story
Carla lives in a shared house with support. She has a busy life going to McDonald's, bowling and Bingo.
But Carla loves hanging out with friends and going for long walks. Carla’s life would be better if she had the opportunity to do things she loves to do, not just activities organised for her household.
Having the opportunities to do things we love doing, is more important than just having a busy day.
It is important we have these opportunities even if we choose not to do them on a particular day. It is also important to try different things with support if we need it.
Molly's Story
Molly is given the choice of chicken nuggets or chicken dippers for tea. She doesn't like chicken nuggets or chicken dippers.
Molly's support worker suggests they cook her tea.
They go to the supermarket
to buy ingredients
They spend the afternoon making tea for her housemates. This is fun and healthier than eating chicken nuggets. Molly really enjoys cooking.
Confidence
What is the big deal about confidence?
Confidence is needed to ‘put ourselves out there’, to start new conversations, and speak to different people.
We can be bolder when we are confident, try different things or do things differently. We can also question things.
It is important people know their rights and are supported to question poor practice. Support workers, family members and others can also question poor practice.
Everyone has the right to be safe, to be free, to have a family and social life.
I thought this is him blossoming. He had a part-time job where he was delivering leaflets, with support, with somebody saying... so he was walking which was the love. It was less repetitive to give him that kind of confidence of “I can do this.” And he was going door-to-door, getting out in the community, being confident in where he is going... he knew the routes because he was getting out daily.
Jane | Josh’s sister
Belonging
Feeling we belong is key to living a good life.
We belong in different ways; in a place, to a group of people, or doing activities that gives us a sense of belonging.
This includes being able to help and support others. A key part of belonging is acceptance.
Thinking Ahead
Plans, activities, holidays and dreams are so important to our lives
Thinking ahead, and sharing that thinking, can lead to lives that are growing.
Thinking ahead can be exciting, satisfying, scary and sometimes challenging.
Without thinking ahead and imagination, life can lack purpose and feel flat.
Some people think too much about the future and this can be difficult. It is also important to have the space to do nothing.
So, David [support worker] actually helps me with the stuff maybe to do in the future and things so maybe when I reach my 30s, I might be doing something different Fergus.
Plain English Summary of findings
