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Supporting people to be more independent

A natural part of becoming an adult is wanting more independence.

For people with learning disabilities or mental health needs, making decisions about what they want in life can sometimes be daunting. At United Response, we start with the person, putting them at the heart of everything we do. Each person has a person-centred plan, which maps out their likes and dislikes, interests and long and short-term ambitions. We review and update person-centred plans regularly, changing as the person’s needs and wishes change.

Choosing where to live

For a young person moving out from the family home or moving on from a residential school, choosing a suitable place to live is an important decision.

Some people might look forward to living in their own home with whatever support they require. Other people might prefer to live with others. We support people to find the right place to live, working flexibly and on their terms. We provide as much or as little help with the day-to-day running of the house as the person needs, from paying bills to doing the cooking and laundry. We have pioneered ‘Person-centred Active Support’ to make sure even people with the most complex needs can gain more independence, choice and control over their lives.

Once someone is settled into their new home, we work with them to find out what they like to do, so they can get involved in their local community and build up a wider social network. We support people to do whatever it takes to lead a fulfilling life, be it enrolling on a college course, taking up cycling or meeting their friends at the cinema, for example.

Getting that first job

Having a job can give people increased confidence, new friends, a better social life and a sense of belonging and self-worth.

We believe everyone has the right to work if they want to. As well as giving people more financial freedom, having a job can give people increased confidence. Young people moving into adult services might want support to find their very first job. We make sure they are supported 100%. This could include help with completing application forms, using public transport to get to their place of work, or on-the-job support on work experience placements. We also run several thriving social enterprises, including two cafés, two mail shot companies and a consultancy service. Each offers supportive environments for people to learn new skills and gain valuable experience.