Alister, new Support Worker 

What attracted you to SeeAbility?

I always kept an eye on the SeeAbility website, as I had an interest in the charity. I was thinking about getting into care, when I saw this role and thought it was a great way to get into care and work for a charity.

Now I work in a supported living service with people who have visual and multiple disabilities. My role is to take them out to activities, help them with their personal care and generally ensure they get the best out of their life.

What was your expectation of your new role?

I knew I was going to have to help with the day to day tasks, like getting people from A to B. I also knew personal care was involved. To be honest I was concerned about that but now with a lot of support from SeeAbility staff I have managed to overcome it.

How do you feel about SeeAbility as an organisation?

I think that SeeAbility is a great organisation to work for. I have worked for a few places and in terms of training, personal support and financially SeeAbility are great. For me they are an organisation that shows in every way the way it should be done. There are always areas that can be improved, but in terms of leading by example SeeAbility does that well.

What did you think would be your biggest challenge?

Personal care was my biggest worry as I have never had a hands on experience of this before. I have also found getting to know how best to understand what people are trying to tell me when they can’t speak hard. But all this comes with time as you get to know the person. 

Has SeeAbility supported you in your role?

Yes everyone here has been great and I can’t fault them, they have been very welcoming. Everyone has taken me under their wing and shown me the best way to do things. I've also been on a lot of training courses.

Do you work with just one individual?

I mainly work with one person Sadick who is also male. Only same sex can carry out personal care, which I totally understand and think is right.

So I also interact with everyone in the house, by going out and doing certain activities as a group. 

What types of activities have you done?

I have been to a sports day at a College, trips to the cinema, and to Fulham Football Club to watch a game, and I really enjoyed that. It was something that I suggested to the person I support and he responded by smiling which was his way of saying he wanted to go.

I then made arrangements by ringing Fulham Football Club to find out about accessibility and seating costs and registering as a member of the football club so he can get a discounted ticket. That was it, we are off to enjoy a day's football together.

It was a great experience for both of us to see with the crowd and the match was great. I am sure we will go again.  

We hope to go to Brighton for a day trip, I know he is very much into his music so I felt that to offer him this opportunity would be good and we hope that he will also go to concert while there.

What have been your most enjoyable moments of the last few months?

"Every morning when I come in Sadick smiles, it is so lovely it cheers you up for the day".