I’ve got the power!
At Discovery we talk a lot about Active Support.
Active Support is how we help someone to become more independent.
It’s all about tiny steps – that’s to say, steps that might seem tiny but which can make a huge difference to a person’s life.
For example “Eddie”, a young autistic man, is used to clapping to tell you he wants the colour of his bubble tube changed.
It’s really great that Eddie can communicate with the people around him by clapping. But how much better for Eddie to learn to do more things himself. And to reserve the clapping for more complex requests?
The problem was that playing with plugs wasn’t really safe. So Eddie’s support team found a local engineer who made him a custom built giant button.
Eddie loves it! See it in action below:
Now he’s got the power! All he has to do is clap one hand on the button and pow!
The colour changes! Imagine that? Happy happy joy bubbles all round! Eddie’s gained greater control over a part of life that matters to him.
Now Eddie has learnt how to hit a giant button, it’s powered up so many more possibilities – could Eddie learn to press giant buttons to control his music? Use his toaster?
The list is endless. And whilst each of those may require perseverance on the part of his support team, we’re determined that Eddie will gain greater control over his life through our ongoing active support.
Well done Eddie, and thank you to our fabulous engineer Mr xxxxxxxxxxxxx of Tough Leads!
The Dimensions group (which Discovery is a part of) is awarded as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing by Great Places To Work (2022)
Inspired to join us?
If so, click here to get started, or contact our recruitment team on: 0300 303 9150 or email: applynow@discovery-uk.org