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Selwyn House! What can we say?

The other day, we spoke to Donna Smith, referrals and assessment manager for Discovery, about what it was that inspired her to place a vote for Selwyn.

Get ready to be inspired to put that nomination in!

We don’t always give appreciation where it’s needed, and if I see something that’s good, I try to share it. It’s hard when you’re busy. It’s easy to move on to the next thing, but I try and put some time aside to make sure I do it. The faster things get, the more necessary it is to know that you’re doing an excellent job because it can all get lost in this busy environment.

Donna’s role as referrals and assessment manager, means she receives referrals for any of our residential or supported living homes. Once somewhere suitable is identified, Donna will assess the individual’s support needs work with the social worker or adult social care practitioner to set up support. It’s mainly supported living and residential, but she does have some requests for short breaks, which is why she nominated the whole Selwyn team.

Words don’t describe how amazing they are. I’ve never seen a team like it. They are so good at supporting people; they’ll bend over backwards, the team will do anything.

Paul (not his real name) was looking for a supported living service as his carer was unable to support him. He was staying with his Dad, but he got admitted to the hospital just before Christmas. When he was due to be discharged sadly, his father could not support him at home. So, unfortunately, Paul was in the hospital for Christmas and Dad wasn’t allowed to go in and see him because of Covid.

That’s when Donna got involved, she looked to Selwyn because she knows if there’s availability, the team will do everything they can— luckily, they were able to support Paul.

When he arrived, he was in a bad way. He didn’t look well, quite unkempt, and his diabetes that he self-managed was unexpectedly not in a good place.  

The team couldn’t deliver that support because it was a clinical task, so Selwyn quickly realised they had to contact the hospital to get the medication Paul needed.

As he arrived in the evening, you can imagine how difficult that was, but they managed it so well. They liaised with the hospital and the district nurses who came out, and, together with Selwyn, they formulated a plan to support Paul with his diabetes and get it back on track. 

As a result, his insulin intake reduced, and they’re supporting him to maintain a healthy diet. So now, he looks fantastic, really well, and his diabetes is stable. All this within two weeks with somebody they’ve never met!

I met Paul when he attend a day service I worked at, I remember him walking around so happy.

Donna had known Paul for years. So when she took the referral on, she told his Dad. It was a weight off his shoulders. Donna was worried about Paul in hospital because people with learning disabilities don’t always get the support they need. It wasn’t easy, but Selwyn always comes to the rescue!

They will do absolutely anything. The team is so passionate about what they do, from the manager right the way through to the support workers. They all work together so well. I think because of that, they get the results. I can’t praise them enough.Dedicated is the word I’d use to describe them. I feel teary. I know everybody appreciates what they do, but it’s become the norm now. Sometimes we let appreciation slip, and what they’ve done for Paul and his well-being is fantastic.

Selwyn team accepting their award
The National Learning Disability Awards awarded Selwyn House
as Learning Disability and Autism Team of the Year 2020.

The poem below is by Manager Paul Kitto (definitely his real name)!

Selwyn house what can we say? 

Selwyn house what can we say?
We strive to make a difference every single day
If you need us then request our support
Let us be your go to and not a last resort

Person -centred care comes in many different shapes
Were upskilled and ready here in short breaks  
So in closing what can we say?
Always remember were one call away!

How about being as inspirational as Donna or Selwyn?

Imagine the difference it would make to the people you support and your team if everyone feels fired up, passionate, appreciative, appreciated and inspired?

There’s no ‘team’ like the present! 

One vote is all it takes.

That person or team will never forget you did that.

The Dimensions group is No 32 in the UK Best Workplaces for Wellbeing. Are you inspired to join us? If so, get started here

The Dimensions group (which Discovery is a part of) has been officially accredited as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces by the Great Place to Work Institute for two years running. Additionally, this year, we received a “Wellbeing” award and a “Great Workplace for Women” award.