Oakdown House - 'Getting the Togetherness Habit'

During the workshop those present were asked to share about their passions (we start with this question because we believe in the power of passion to create and sustain the right relationships) We also considered together how in any residential home, the busyness of a shift and demands on staff can lead to a very task-orientated focus often resulting in people not getting the chance to just 'be' together in a quality way. We described the shift from 'service' to community thinking' and identified ways in which real networks and allies could be nutrured.

One of the delegates asked 'how can we really be with people when we don't know their stories?' - In the workshop, Ian had told his story of living with Willams Syndrome and the group experienced the power of how hearing a person's life experiences can create a profound shift of perspective to see beyond the day to day story to gain a real sense of the whole person. All of the delegates made a personal pledge to create togetherness.

The next step at Oakdown House will be an intensive workshop with people who live there and with their supporter's led by our skilled and experienced life story specialist, Noelle MCCormack. We are also planning the friendships and networks project which will focus on community connections and real social inclusion.

Story Sharing by Ian Metherell

Facilitated by Andy Bradley and Helen Zeida