Our Day services staff had the opportunity to discuss our key questions with Brian, Russell, Karl, and Stephen during a session, and smiles and laughter filled the building as they shared their happy memories!

How do you feel about the staff that support you?

I feel proud to be out with my staff in the community, they help me a lot! - Brian

 What’s important to you?

At Pathway, I like to be able to get to know new people and make new friends - Russell

I love being able to try new activities and being able to volunteer - Karl

It's nice to feel safe and to know that staff will help me with any problems I have - Stephen

What’s your favourite Heart of England Mencap memory?

I loved doing the First Aid Course.  This was the first time I've ever been able to do a course like this - Russell

How do you turn a bad day into a good day?

If I'm having a bad day I will either talk to my friends or talk to my staff.  I know if I share my problems with people I trust they will help me - Brian

Day Opportunities - Brian, Russell, Karl, and Stephen

Day Opportunities - Liz - Team Leader

My favourite part of my role is being able to facilitate a good day for customers and seeing them achieve outcomes.

My favourite Heart of England Mencap memory is Septemberfest! The day was a well needed event for customers and staff together. A chance to get out and see each other and everyone had such a good time.

The misconceptions people have of our work is definitely in Complex Needs – when supporting people with complex needs, staff need to be able to recognise that the small achievements mean just as much as the bigger things – it might not be about producing a beautiful painting, it could be the steps that come before – picking up the paintbrush might be a massive achievement for some people.

I turn a good day into a bad day by getting on with it, working as a team, and going with the flow!

The best thing that has happened this week was being able to offer a 5 day service to a customer again – he is now back at Day Services full time!

How do you feel about the staff that support you?

My staff are great. They are darlings, they keep me safe, and they help me.

What’s important to you?

Feeling safe. Seeing mummy, getting to meet people, getting to do activities, and feeling safe. Nice food.

What’s your favourite Heart of England Mencap memory?

Christmas dinner, Evesham fete (we enter a float as a house), having somewhere safe to be, going to Butlins, seeing Thomas the Tank Engine.

How do you turn a bad day into a good day?

My staff help me. I go for a walk. I go for a cigarette, and I speak to my staff.

What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this week?

Joining the library and getting a book. Playing basketball with other customers. Speaking to mummy, and going back to my day centre (I was isolating).

Respite and Residential - Ash Grove Customers

Respite and Residential - The Ash Grove Team

What is your favourite part of the role?

When you have been supporting someone to be more independent or achieve a goal and they do it for themselves, it’s a massive sense of accomplishment.

What is your favourite Heart of England Mencap memory?

A customer moving into their own flat. A customer with a very difficult past going to college after getting the right support here.

Are there any misconceptions people have of your job?

That we just “wipe bums” or the people we support are dangerous.

How do you turn a bad workday into a good workday?

If I need help the team are always there, Gavin and Rebekah come in if we need them. Talk about it.

 What is the best thing that’s happened this week?

Customers being really positive, customers doing more activities, passing my level 4 NVQ.