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Social Care Heroes

Meet Violet, one of our social care heroes

We manage many services that are crucial for the supportive communities in which we all want to live, even if most of us don't come across it and the work often goes unnoticed.

Some of the work undertaken by our adult and children's services account for 70%+ of the council's spending. These areas can offer a real lifeline for people for whom simple, everyday activities could prove almost impossible without the support of staff dedicated to helping them.

Take the work of Violet, one of our Learning Disability and Autism (LD and A) Reablement Workers. She helps adults with LD and A needs build independence by working with them to identify and develop commonplace life skills.

New, unfamiliar situations can be overwhelming for people with an autism diagnosis or those with a learning disability. But with a little bit of encouragement and practical help, small challenges can be overcome to help develop self-sufficiency and belief.

Helping the lives of young adults with LD and A

One recent success reported by Violet involves a 20-something resident with autism, 'B', who aimed to achieve seemingly simple, yet significant goals: travelling independently on a bus, attending a local gym alone, and staying home unaccompanied. Through a gradual, six-week process, aided by the use of wearable technology in the form of a GPS tracker, B conquered these challenges, boosting her confidence and reassuring her family that she's able to take care of herself in certain situations.

Another resident with LD and A needs, 'M', was referred to the Reablement team to develop healthier eating habits to lose weight, manage his finances better and get out into his local community.

M had largely been living off ready meals and other unhealthy food for some time, with very little 'real' food in his kitchen. With Violet's guidance, M gained access to a local food bank, received cooking and budgeting assistance, and joined a local community art class.

"Sometimes, something wonderful happens"

Talking about the part she plays in the journeys of the people she supports, Violet says "It is so rewarding supporting and enabling people to achieve their goals. Motivating them to manage their everyday life - working with them to build self-confidence and drive towards independence so that they feel self-worth - is what I enjoy the most. They feel proud of their achievement, which makes it worth the time and effort."

Violet and her colleagues across adult and children's social care ensure that regardless of personal circumstances, Surrey residents can get help to fulfill their potential. So next time you see someone helping another on a bus, or carrying some shopping for someone, it could just be one of our unseen social care heroes helping turn the impossible into the everyday for someone living in your community.

If you or someone you know would like to find out more about a role like Violet's in reablement or another opportunity in adult social care, visit our careers in reablement webpage.

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