Supporting Ian in Wolverhampton: video transcript

Annie, support worker:

Pear Tree Lane is a care setting. Most people here have complex needs, but we try and get people to do as much for themselves as is possible for them here.

Ian’s a wonderful man. He’s highly independent. He has a wonderful personality, and he’s so independent that he likes to do everything himself.

Ian, would you like to come and make your sandwiches in the dining room.

Well, Ian loves sandwiches and it’s his choice to make his sandwiches most days. He picks his fillings and he’ll sit at the table and he’ll take his time and he does everything himself.

Generally Ian will ask for help when he needs it.

Ian:

Oooh!

Annie:

Ian’s a very vocal man. He makes vocal gestures that are joyful when he;’s really happy. He knows how to get his point across and he knows what he wants. He’s a confident, independent man.

For somebody like Ian, it’s noticing the small ways that they communicate. You may get a nod, you may get eye contact in one direction towards an object.

You may see somebody just come alive when you mention something that they really want or they really enjoy and it’s about looking for those small things. That’s the way that we’re able to make things happen.

Ian:

Yee-arh. Oooh.