Active support is all about supporting someone to proactively take part in their day-to-day life.

That means supporting people to do things for themselves, rather than doing things for them. For some people, that could be building their skills so they can cook for themselves. For others, it might mean empowering them to pick out an outfit or do their laundry. If there is a way for someone to take more control of their life and do something for themselves, we will find it.

The teams look for opportunities where a person could do a task for themselves, and then work with them to develop that skill. Once the skill is learnt, the person is supported to maintain that skill.

"At the start, many people I support needed help with everything. But I see them trying things on their own and feeling proud of what they can do. For example, one person I support struggled with cooking at first, but over time, they’ve started preparing meals for themselves. The look on their face when they finish a meal is priceless."

- Tapiwa, a SeeAbility Support Worker

We believe everyone should be able to do as much as possible for themselves, so they can be participants in their own lives, rather than onlookers.

Active support means people can take more control, from the small tasks to the big decisions. It gives people the chance to grow. As people try new things, they become far more confident in themselves, which only increases independence further.

As an underlying principle, active support promotes a can-do attitude, where our teams are always looking for opportunities for someone to grow.

"As a Support Worker, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact that active support has on the people we support. I love seeing them gain confidence and reach new milestones, whether it’s learning to cook a meal or making an important decision for themselves."

- Bill, a SeeAbility Support Worker