WELCOME TO BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET
Brandon Trust's Lead Director in North Somerset is Steve Ogilvie Contact: steve.ogilvie@brandontrust.org |
The Local Conversation
Brandon Trust is staying local. Although Brandon Trust is developing new services across the South West Region we recognise the importance of providing services and support to people that reflect what is going where they live and work.
The Bath & North East Somerset Conversation
"...there's real opportunities... we're talking with people who want to develop their community as an asset."
Tracy Date and Mik Alban have both done a lot of work in Bath & North East Somerset. Mik says, "They are about joined up thinking. It is a lovely place to live yet it is also somewhere which is open to new opportunities and that is crucial."
Tracy: One of the things I'm really proud of is my involvement in the Person Centred Planning Project in Bath & North East Somerset. It was part of a strategy to develop an understanding about people with learning disabilities getting their individual voices heard when planning for their own support. Actually Mik, weren't you involved in writing the handbook for PCP facilitators?
Mik: Yes, what I liked was that it was a genuine example of interagency working. It's a couple of years ago now; Bath & North East Somerset were really pro-active in getting that initiative off the ground at an early stage. Also, I think their Communication Group is another way in which they go about recognising the importance of different agencies adopting a consistent approach when supporting the same person.
Tracy: So, it's good to talk, who said that?
Mik: I think it was Bob Hoskins!
Tracy: Whoever it was, it's true. Think of Without Walls, which is our response to the modernisation of day services. This is a project designed to provide people with individualised community based support, with a focus on employment, education and leisure. When you are doing work as inclusive as that, good communication is crucial.
Mik: I sense that's the kind of thing you really like. Creating opportunities for people to build support packages tailored to their needs.
Tracy: Sure, you know, things like developing networks, nurturing relationships, helping people to get a job or study for a nationally accredited qualification.
Mik: Right, it's about people becoming part of their own community.
Tracy: Mik, that is exactly what Nan Carle, our Special Advisor, talks about - ABCD, Asset Based Community Development.
Mik: So, you're on message, Trace!
Tracy: But that's the great thing about Bath & North East Somerset, there's real opportunities. I feel we're talking with people who want to develop their community as an asset. Take BASE for example, Brandon's Agency for Supported Employment. We've successfully secured three years funding and are currently working in partnership with existing services within the area to support people to learn about work and find a job. And it's free to anyone referred via Adult Community Care.
Mik: Yes, and we've recently been asked to help someone design their own 24 hour, one to one support service specific to their needs. Bath & North East Somerset, they are people we can work with.
