What is a Healthy Relationship?

Today we worked with year 8 boys and girls from Ratcliffe College on gaining a better understanding of what a relationship was, what makes it healthy or unhealthy and how to manage relationships to avoid it becoming unhealthy or even abusive.

 

The sessions were so much fun for myself and to see the brains working out the difficulties between saying something and doing it, for instance “Would you be able to identify an unhealthy relationship?” was a yes and give them their dues they managed to come up with lots of answers but they often focused on physical but with some support they identified the other types. “Would you be able to remove yourself from an abusive relationship?” was another one that saw a chorus of yes’ but we dug down and had a little role play it became obvious that it wasn’t as easy as they had thought.

 

All in all I had a blast and look forward to working with them again soon.

 

If you or your school needs support with it’s PSHE sessions please click here to find out a snapshot in to what we can provide.

A simple text means a lot

Today I had a text from the mum of one of my clients that I wanted to share. We get these more than we realise and they mean a lot more than I think those who send it realise.

 

Just thought I’d let you know how much better my son is today. I met him for coffee before he went off to see his friends at the football club. We had a (nearly) normal conversation, so whatever you’re doing it’s working well! He’d had a shave and asked for skimmed milk ( instead of cream) in his coffee and checked his change. He recognises he’s not well enough to work and has bought a few sweets for the young boys.

 

All of us PAs work hard to make a difference and to many the differences seem small but if you asked the client or the family members they are bigger than they seem.

Great meeting to help us grow

Today myself and our PA manager met with a lovely young lady who works within Leicester to help find people, from employees looking for the right work for them and employers looking for the right staff. The feeling we got from her was great and we are hoping that her support will help to find the right person to fill our current roles.

As much as we are keen to grow, as we continue to gain referrals, we are keen to find the right staff that can keep the values that we hold important to us. Fingers crossed we can find the right person for us and continue to support those who need it. Our PAs need to be able to provide a high level of support for our clients, we will not grow just because the work is there but we will grow if we can find the right person.

If you are interested in what we do please find below our job description.

 

Breaking the Cycle work with individuals with a wide range of mental health and other disabilities. Our holistic personal assistance service is tailor made to the individual needs of each of our clients. Our approach is focused on the principles of empowerment, it is based on a comprehensive needs based assessment and a strong person-centred approach. We are a company who understand the importance of keeping clients socially involved and mentally stimulated to get the very best from life.

We are looking for individuals who are able to:-

Demonstrate understanding or show experience within the mental health environment

  • Being mature enough not to be phased when dealing with people who suffer with mental health
  • Demonstrate an understanding of a person-centred approach
  • Have a DBS or willing to gain one
  • Have a clean driving licence and access to a vehicle

We will provide the right person with the following:-

  • A good rate of pay
  • Hours to suit their needs
  • A flexible working day to suit their needs
  • Training and support
  • Mentoring from peers and management

If you feel that you are the right person to fit in with our team then please contact us at Admin@Breaking-The-Cycle.org with a copy of your CV and covering letter.

Rebuilding

Today was a difficult one for me as a PAs. Many of us PAs become emotionally invested in the client which allows us to offer a really good person centred care. I too have become emotionally invested in one of my clients but due to issues outside of our control we had to suspend the service. However the other party were able to fix things within around a month but on visiting the client it felt like a punch to the stomach to see how quickly things had gone backwards.

 

I can not go in to the details of the case but unfortunately this thing seems to happen regularly and it does knock us Pas for 6 but on the other hand it enthuses us to make an impact again and to get the client to where they were before we had to step back. I suppose it is one of the many tools needed to become good at this job.

Lovely Feedback

It was great to receive the following message from one of our clients.

 

“My PA was able to speak up for me, when I got tongue tied, or got confused about how to say what I needed to, or when I felt too upset to talk. It was also really helpful to have someone friendly with a good sense of humour ( & who didn’t need anything explaining to..), to rest & calm me”
Client – June 2018

A Warm Fuzzy Feeling

Today I headed home with a warm fuzzy feeling inside of me after a day that seemed very difficult.

 

I supported my client with a visit to see their family, something that has not been possible whist they have been fighting their demons. The client was extremely nervous and stressed, which was difficult for me to see as this only makes it worse for them both mentally and physically. We met with certain people before the visit, made the plans to be at the right place and the right time and then I spent almost 2 hours watching this nervous and anxious person flourish and shine. This person who has been fighting their own battles, and has plenty more of them to come, was able to use my support to get themselves to the place they wanted to be – with their family. It may only have been for 2 hours and it will be a difficult road going forward but we all know the power of being with those that you love the most.

 

I would not be truthful if I said that it wasn’t emotionally draining, I invest myself in to my clients, and the first 10 minutes after the visit I felt it but then I was suddenly filled with immense satisfaction that I had made an impact on that client. I had, within a small period of time, built up a trusting relationship where I was able to have been there to support them and for that I gain great satisfaction. I may not have been the reason they went or the reason it went so smoothly but I was part of the reason and for me that means a lot.

Would it be too cheesy to say that I love my job? Would it be a lie to say everyday is like this? Maybe but days like these just enthuse me and makes me love the work we do as a company.

Marigolds At The Ready

Cleaning, cleaning and a little bit more cleaning.

 

In my blogs I have tried to be truthful and today the truth comes in the shape of bright yellow marigolds. On my first visit it seemed that the cleaning list was used to light the fuse of the bomb that destroyed the clients property because it was a bombsite. However with the help of the client and my side kick CillitBang (and the dirt is gone) we got on the job and actually it was a bit of a laugh. We had some music playing as we slowly started at each end of the property and worked our way towards each other and before we knew it the place looked a great deal better. The only downside being the sweaty hands from being in those marigolds for too long.

On your marks, Get set, GDPR

Data protection is changing within the EU and we have been working hard behind the scenes to make sure we abide by the new laws coming in to place on 25th May 2018.

 

So what does it mean?

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) replaces the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC and was designed to harmonize data privacy laws across Europe, to protect and empower all EU citizens data privacy and to reshape the way organizations across the region approach data privacy

Basically GDPR will change the way in which we keep and use information about anyone who uses or interacts with us as a company. This will increase the safety of your information and will see companies and organisations doing more to allow that to happen.

 

What will you be changing?

As a company we will be issuing new documentation to all social workers, clients and anyone who interacts with us as a company to make sure we do all that we can to keep to the revised laws.

 

I haven’t heard anything from Breaking The Cycle?

If you haven’t heard from us by the end of June then it is probably because we do not hold enough information about you to make any changes but by all means contact us if you have any worries.

Putting The Client First

 

Another great day doing what may seem to be little to you and I but something that makes a big difference to my client.

 

I have spent the time today with my client and some of their family members walking around a garden centre, I know this seems daft or maybe even a waste of time but that is why I love working for this company. You see for my client being with their family is key to maintaining a “normal” life, raising them up when life seems to always be bringing them down. The journey there we spoke about what was on their mind, what little jobs at home needed doing and finding out what help was needed to keep the voices at bay. There was not much in their replies other than I’m good thanks but asking for help is not always easy so as a PA you have to play the long game a little.

 

After spending time with family members I asked the same set of questions on the way home and suddenly the answers change. Not because I am good at getting answers out of people but because they were relaxed and happy enough to give honest answers. It was almost like they remembered that they had a reason to answer honestly, a reason to keep themself well and that is what the visit was all about.

 

So yes my visit was a nice day wondering around a garden centre but this was merely a distraction of the issues and low feelings faced on a daily basis for my client whilst offering a reminder as to why they fight so hard to be “normal”. To make it even more productive it opened up a honest line of communication that has given me a list of things to do to make a difference in their day to day live.

 

The Humanistic Approach is far more productive than it looks.