In response to the increasing demand for support workers to assist adults with disabilities in the local area, Dorset-based charity Diverse Abilities Plus is expanding its Supported Living service. The charity will host a support worker recruitment open day on Monday 22 July between 4pm and 9pm at its head office in Poole, near Tower Park.
The charity currently supports 35 adults and either helps them live in their homes with the assistance of the charity’s dedicated and trained support workers or attend a well-equipped day care centre, where they can earn new skills and enjoy a wide range of experiences.
The at-home service Diverse Abilities Plus offers is dedicated to providing adults with disabilities the dignity and choice they deserve, and means they can have their own front door, choose what colour to paint the lounge, how to spend their daily life and much more. Those that require supported living, benefit from having help at home and can live in their everyday environment, but it has been adapted to suit their requirements ensuring they can get on with their life with minimal support.
Mark Powell, CEO of Diverse Abilities Plus, said: “The supported living service we provide is crucial and as the demand for this provision continues to increase, new members of staff are required. Those we support often require one-to-one support up to 24/7 and we urgently need to recruit to offer our service to more adults with disabilities. In addition, many of the children and young people that we support through our other services, may potentially require the Supported Living service in the future, and we are planning for this now.”
At the event, attendees will have the opportunity to meet and speak with representatives from the Supported Living service, find out what it is like to work for Diverse Abilities Plus and meet a number of adults currently supported by the charity.
Caroline Amey, has lived in her specially adapted bungalow since 2005 and is currently supported by Diverse Abilities Plus. She has used the services of the charity for many years, and went to the charity’s school – Langside when she was younger.
Caroline said: “I really like living in my own house. I used to live in a big care home with lots of other people and I only had a small room there. Now, I have a whole house and a garden. I can now choose what I want to do and when I do it. When I lived with lots of people, I didn’t have the same choice. Now, it’s up to me what I do and I’m much happier, as I have more freedom than before.”
The support worker recruitment open day will be held at Unit C, Acorn Business Park, Ling Road, Poole BH12 4NZ. For further information please contact Lee Brady on 01202 718266.
Diverse Abilities Plus is also fundraising to develop as many supported living bungalows, undertake adaptions and refurbishments required for adults with disabilities to live in. If you would to make a donation to further support adults with disabilities in Dorset, please visit the charity’s website at www.diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk.
