SeeAbility Fir Tree Lodge - One Year On!

When Fir Tree Lodge opened in May 2006, it was the end of a detailed consultation and planning process and the beginning of a new way of life for six young people who have a visual impairment and multiple disabilities. In the twelve months since, the young people aged 17-26, have been supported to settle well in their new home, make the transition to a new environment and support provider and explore new opportunities.

Moving In & Building Relationships

With individuals moving to Fir Tree Lodge from various settings including family home, residential education, hospital and another SeeAbility home, and each having their own unique and complex needs, the transition was managed gradually in line with individual needs and wishes and in close conjunction with relatives and carers. During the first few months, the newly formed, highly trained staff team spent time getting to know the people living at Fir Tree Lodge, building relationships with them and their relatives and finding out how best they could be supported. The success of this process was summed up in a comment made by one relative when completing a Satisfaction Survey in November 2006: "The standard of care at Fir Tree Lodge is excellent. After initial teething problems my relative has settled well and is obviously loved and cared for, with a high standard in every respect. The staff were wonderful in helping my relative and I make the transition as easy as possible and we would like to thank all at Fir Tree Lodge for their care and provision which is excellent".

Expanding Opportunities

Fir Tree Lodge was officially opened by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester on 14th July 2006. This enjoyable day, which attracted local publicity, marked the close of the settling in phase as people living at Fir Tree Lodge felt established in their new environment and went on from there to explore new opportunities. Highlights recalled of some activities that people have been enabled to enjoy include: a barbeque with family & friends; going to the musical Billy Elliott in the West End; singing along with Lionel Ritchie in concert at Wembley Arena; enjoying the circus at Newbury; taking on the challenge of sailing; and a regular favourite - ten-pin bowling. Individuals are currently looking forward to a forthcoming Rock Concert at Highclere Castle and are actively making plans to take summer holidays.

Some Early Achievements

For each person living at Fir Tree Lodge, there have been various achievements and benefits noted during the past twelve months with some examples being:

• The majority have seen improvements in their general health, responding positively to the level and quality of individual support offered.
  
• Two people have experienced a reduction in seizure activity, perhaps benefiting from the more flexible, individually tailored provision within an adult service.
  
• One person has made immense progress in developing his skills and is now able to eat his own lunch, uses some speech to communicate, has made notable improvements with his mobility and is enjoying attending the local gym.

100% of relatives & friends who participated in a Satisfaction Survey in November 2006 stated they were satisfied with the services provided by SeeAbility at Fir Tree Lodge, with one comment reflecting this: "Fir Tree Lodge is welcoming and homely. It is a lovely, relaxed environment for the young people living there, with quality of care and good sense of fun".

In a Satisfaction Survey undertaken with people living at Fir Tree Lodge in February-March 2007:

• 83% stated 'the service has helped them to learn or do new things during the past year'.
  
• 100% stated 'they like living at the home and are happy with the help they get from SeeAbility'.

The people living at Fir Tree Lodge and the staff team who support them are looking forward to building on the positive foundations formed during the past year and to achieving more of their potential in the months/years ahead.

For more information about Fir Tree Lodge please click here.