A customers story - PG

Tell me about yourself…

P has Downs Syndrome and a severe heart condition; this has led to other health conditions and he has been shielding since the start of the pandemic. P is nonverbal and needs someone who knows him well enough to support him to get his views across.

Before the pandemic, P had accessed day services at Boyn Grove, before that (for many years) he used to go to Oakbridge. Over the years the people that went to Oakbridge changed, his friends left and there were more people with more complex needs. P enjoyed going to Boyn, he likes Arts/ Crafts and Pottery and has made friends there.

We are so pleased with how the Zoom sessions have worked. P. can see his friends and join in different activities. The fact that he doesn’t need to rush to get ready so early in the morning is a huge benefit. There is a good mix and it’s always quite lively, I support P to join in and he is remembering numbers with the Bingo, the Music sessions are something he enjoys as well, there’s a great variety, Art, Cookery and Gardening and the staff are really enthusiastic. He enjoys seeing his friends, spotting different people and waving to them.

When P can start to venture out again, which may not be for some time because of his health (maybe not until the end of this year), it would be good to have a mixture of centre based and Zoom activities. P. needs to use a taxi to get to Maidenhead and this is very costly. He would like to meet his friends in person and go to the pub and play pool/ darts and have a drink. He’d like to be with people with similar interests and especially likes Football.

P. likes to be around people with similar interests as him, a similar ability. There is a difference between people being loud and boisterous and people screaming, he doesn’t like that.

P. needs support from people that know him and know how best to support him. His communication and health needs are really important.

Transport is a big issue. I don’t drive and public transport is not that good. Taxis are very expensive. The type of transport is important and the mix of people also using the transport is important.

To me, Community Lives will always be day services, it’s what I know, it’s what P knows. I understand that changes are needed. P and I have completed the Questionnaire and have highlighted that he needs additional support in the community, as he is unable to walk far due to his health, he needs to use a wheelchair.

Unfortunately, there are no longer links with Windsor MENCAP since the last Chairperson left. This is such a shame as my mum was involved in setting this up right from the beginning. There used to be so much going on.