Supporting Ruth in Leicestershire: video transcript

Ruth:

My name is Ruth. You are in my flat. I like to be independent, as I normally do. I like cooking, cleaning and I just love shopping. I can choose what I want.

I’ve got two cats called Maisie and Domino.

Anthony, Affinity Trust Operations Manager:

Before Ruth moved into her new home now, she was living in a low-secure unit, which she’d been in for about three years. In some regards, that routine and that structure was helpful for her. But because she didn’t have a lot of control, she didn’t have a lot of independence. It was very much reliant on somebody else saying OK, now you can do this thing that you enjoy. And then she did struggle with that quite a lot.

Ruth:

When I was at Farndon Unit it was difficult. It was frustrating. I don’t like set times and that’s where I get anxious and angry. I was upset.

Anthony:

And then obviously that would be when the hospital was using her PRN medication to help bring her anxieties down, or she would be physically restrained.

Ruth:

I like it where people know me and I know the staff and I know different people living in the community as well.

Anthony:

With the Transforming Care directive, it’s helping people that have been in long-term stay hospital re-move back out into the community.

Ruth:

It was upsetting at first when I moved out but now staff is helping me to be sure what I want to do.

[Talking to someone off-camera] I bet it’s Oreo.

Anthony:

We spent a lot of time showing her independent skills around looking after her own home, helping her budget her money, cooking – all of that kind of thing.

Ruth:

[Talking to someone off-camera] That’s what independence is for.

I just like to do what I want to do. If I need staff, I always ask, can you help me to do these.

Anthony:

The situation now with Ruth is that she’s become a lot more independent. She’s taken a lot more responsibility in going out into the community.

Ruth:

I go out on my bike. He’s named Tommy the Trike and he’s my transport and I put my shopping in there. So I’m just happy where I am now because it’s nice and calm and I just, I’m happy.

[Talking to someone off-camera] Pink, yeah.

Cos I feel more relaxed and do whatever I want to do, so I just love it.