WELCOME TO CORNWALL
Brandon Trust's Area Director in Cornwall is Lynn Toman Contact: lynn.toman@brandontrust.org |
The Main Brandon Trust office in Cornwall is: Brandon Trust, 19E & F Normandy Way, Walker Lines Industrial Estate, Bodmin, PL31 1RB
Tel: 01208 72142 Fax: 01208 72162 Mobile: 07825928295
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 Cornwall Conversation
"I like the way staff treat me and I’m feeling better all the time. Getting on with life and not looking back."
Jodie O'Brien left Budock Hospital just before Christmas 2006, Brandon Trust now support her as a tenant in her own home. Gareth Barber and Rachel Roberts are two of Jodie's Support Worker team. Gareth Williams used to be the Service Co-ordinator for Jodie‘s services.
Jodie: Moving out of the long-stay hospital has been great. I've got a nice bungalow in a quiet street; I don't need hospital now. I like the way staff treat me and I'm feeling better all the time. Getting on with life and not looking back, that’s important now.
Gareth W: When you tell us those kind of things it makes the rest of us feel privileged to be doing our jobs.
Jodie: It’s true, life has changed big-time for me.
Gareth W: What do you think, Gareth?
Gareth B: I agree; it's been a really special time, being involved in supporting Jodie. Getting to know the new team has been fun too – I think that’s played an important part in how well things have gone.
Rachel: Definitely. Just like Jodie, we’re all individuals with different things to bring to the work we do. I know Jodie really likes that.
Gareth W: One thing about all of this which people sometimes don't realise is that Brandon Trust has been able to give back to Jodie some control over what goes on for her.
Rachel: Yes, being able to play a part in choosing her own team, finding people who she feels comfortable with.
Jodie: I like that.
Gareth W: In my view the way we are working in Cornwall has the potential to be a role model for other parts of the country. Lynn Toman our Area Director says that the commissioners in Cornwall have been brave in not ducking the issue of self directed support. It’s challenging, but exciting too. Jodie getting to know staff, staff getting to know each other and everyone getting to know Brandon Trust! Jodie has settled really well, with staff support she is starting to form her own ‘unique future’.
Rachel: What else is happening, Gareth?
Gareth W: Brandon Trust is expanding in Cornwall, taking on more work with people, not just here in Truro but across the county. We’re also starting up a brand new Local User Forum, similar to the one in Gloucestershire. This is going to give people who are supported by Brandon Trust an opportunity to have their voices heard by management.
Gareth B: It’s important. I suppose it links into the whole idea of being person-centred in the way we do things.
Gareth W: And that’s exactly how it should be. I feel we're working towards a new way of doing things in Cornwall.
Cornwall Statement (1st September 2008)
Brandon Trust is an independent charity working with and for people with learning disabilities in Cornwall. We are aware that Cornwall County Council has sent letters to a significant number of the people we support explaining the need for increases in the cost of personal Care contributions. We now know that when this correspondence was first sent out by the County Council an error was made, by not referring to ‘capping arrangements’. It is our understanding that an apology has been made in writing by the local authority; a further public apology will be made at a forthcoming meeting with those people directly involved.
Brandon Trust is not party to the County Council’s assessment of an individual’s personal care contributions. We recognise the rights of people with learning disabilities to instigate and pursue their own concerns in relation to arrangements with Cornwall County Council. As a contractual provider of support services and an agency offering day to day support to individuals we are at times placed in a role of facilitating communication between the Council and particular individuals. However, Brandon Trust has no brokering or representational role in such matters.
Brandon Trust's vision for services in Cornwall
The Brandon Trust mission statement is, 'Supporting and enabling people to live the lives theychoose.' It is this simple yet powerful objective which we want to bring to Cornwall. Our vision for people we support is that they have the chance to lead fulfilling lives. Our vision for the people we employ is that they get quality support, enjoy their work and are passionate about supporting other people in the community.
As part of our five year strategy, Unique Futures, we are working hard to develop better support for people; this includes the development of more Supported Living opportunities. Brandon Trust is committed to running Supported Living Services in line with the REACH standards which make sure that people get the choices and rights they are entitled to.
You can find out more about the strategy by downloading the Unique Futures booklet here (just click on the thumbnail).
Brandon Trust's strategy is to develop services across the South West of England. We believe that a strong regional presence will be the best way to ensure that we remain responsive to local people while at the same time growing large enough to influence the national agenda. We believe in stability, professionalism and positive creative partnerships. This strategy involves our growth in Cornwall. We now have our main Cornwall office based in Bodmin. This is the main hub of our senior management activity in Cornwall but we established a number of smaller 'patch' based offices in order to keep things local. 
This picture is from the current Brandon Trust Annual Report, called a Different Difference. It tells the story of how people who are supported by Brandon Trust in Cornwall have formed themselves into a tennant‘s forum in order to get their voices heard. They meet regularly to talk about things which are important to them. They then bring this information to the attention of Brandon‘s Management. this is all about ensuring that people are truly represented in decision making within the organisation.
Brandon Trust's portfolio of support services has grown significantly in Cornwall. We have successfully tendered for over hundred Supported Living Services, from Redruth to Newquay to Truro, undertaking extensive work on an individual basis.
