WELCOME TO BRISTOL
Brandon Trust's Lead Director in Bristol is Ingrid Vlam Contact: ingrid.vlam@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 following conversation is from Brandon Trust's current annual report and is specific to the Bristol area.
The Bristol Conversation
"I think everybody should have their own life and decide where they want to live."
Adrian Williams is supported by Brandon Trust's Bristol team; Yogi Ragoo is the Senior Support Worker and Bev Cole is a Service Development Manager, Adrian has known Bev for a long time. Adrian now lives in his own home. One way of describing the role of the people who support Adrian is that for him, they act as a 'bridge' into his local community.
Bev: Adrian, you moved into your own house this year, with your own staff team to support you. What's that like?
Adrian: Now I choose what I want. I am doing things I have wanted to do for years, like going to Portsmouth Aquarium. I still live in Whitchurch near my mum's house; I spend time with her at weekends.
Yogi: Adrian, you're even doing house work! You seem to be doing things you never did before.
Adrian: It's a place of my own, Yogi. My furniture, all the things are mine. I enjoy keeping my house tidy.
Bev: It's great to be able to call you on your own phone and speak to you direct. You have lived in a few different places before, does this now feel different?
Adrian: It's fantastic compared to how I used to live; this is like a palace. In my old place I wasn't allowed in the kitchen, now I can go there anytime and make sandwiches. No one would believe what I'm doing now. Here I do my own shopping; I choose what I'm going to eat. I'm very lucky to get something like this. I think everybody should have their own life and decide where they want to live.
Yogi: Do you think other people would prefer to live like this; to be a tenant instead of living in a Care Home?
Adrian: Oh yes, I think it's about time. People who are in my position would love to have the opportunity to get a home of their own and have regular staff.
Bev: You probably remember Ingrid Vlam, she used to be in your support team. She is now Brandon Trust's Area Director for Bristol.
Adrian: Oh, she was fine.
Bev: Well, her job is to make sure that the people we support in the Bristol area have similar opportunities to you. A lot of people at the moment still live in Care Homes.
Yogi: Haven't some Care Homes already changed? I know the people living in the Brandon Trust house in Coronation Road have now got their own tenancies; we're just providing them with support.
Bev: Yes, that's right. And Ingrid has told me that there are other homes where people will get a chance to change things. I think there is going to be some positive change in Bristol.
