Erica, who has learning difficulties, has lived in her shared supported home for nine years. She and her two housemates receive 24-hour care from a team of six professionals based with Community Integrated Care. Erica’s home is one of 180 Bernicia has across the north east, offering supported living tailored to people’s individual needs.
The scheme is one of the original pioneers of the care in the community agenda, now one of Britain’s most innovative and successful care providers. Over the years, service lead Chris and his team have built close working relationships with Erica and her friends.
“We’ve seen massive changes in residents, Erica is much more independent, that’s what we do the job for to see people leading much more independent lives,” said Chris.
“I get massive rewards from that and enjoy it so much. Helping people and seeing them progress, there is no other reward like it in life.”
Recently, Erica has been taking cookery lessons at her local community centre, and has been treating her housemates and support workers to delicious homemade curries. Cooking is just one of Erica’s hobbies, and her support worker Kay helps her take part in day-to-day activities, hobbies and volunteering.
Kay said: “We help residents to cook, wash clothes, iron clothes, keep the house tidy and clean and do weekly health and safety checks, and if we find anything we report those to Bernicia.”
“We source new activities for Erica and things she likes doing, support her going to the disco, taking her to card making class.”
“She goes out to the local community centre to do card club and cookery lessons. She also volunteers there and was nominated for an award there, handing out food parcels to vulnerable people.”
Creating intricate diamond art, mosaic art works on canvas, is one of Erica’s favourite past times, alongside compiling scrap books of days out with Kay and the team. The smiling photos show the bond they have.
“I love doing diamond art,” said Erica. “I sit for ages doing it. Kay sits with me to help me. Kay helps me to do cookery, she’s a good member of staff. Chris is a good manager.”
Erica also enjoys going to disco nights at the local pub, a chance to meet friends and dance to her favourite artists and groups, Pink, Taylor Swift, Abba and Take That.
Erica’s home is just that, a home. As Chris said, “All the visitors love how welcoming this place is, it’s a home and that’s how we try to make it.”
“When you walk past care homes they have signs and the staff wear uniforms with badges – we don’t stand out.”
“We look like what we are, which is part of the community.”
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