My name is Jayne and I have used day services for more than 15 years. For most of those years I have carried around a label, being described as ‘challenging’ by many of the people I have met along my journey.

I do not have any verbal communication and would often be frustrated by people’s inability to understand me. Very often people would not even try to understand me, which resulted in my hitting out. I would pull hair or pinch people if I could not make myself understood, just to get a reaction, which is very frustrating considering I have a good understanding of what is being said to me!

My experience of day services has been quite a lonely one. Because of the labels I have people would find it difficult to engage with me and did not ask me what I wanted to do. Often my days were spent on my own, with little interaction from staff and isolated from my peers. I became distressed and my behaviour would change and this is why I was labelled.

My life was changed significantly and this has been down to my support worker, Jo.

I live in Wednesbury and have support from staff in supported living. One of those staff is Jo, who started to work with me on a one to one basis when my day service was transferred from Coneygre to the Lyng. I have been using Sandwell Council’s North Enablement service, based at the Town Hall in West Bromwich since about March of 2012.

My life was changed significantly

I am a very sociable woman and I love to interact with all people, however I also love to spend some time on my own. I have a good sense of humour, which has been described as ‘wicked’ and I love to have a laugh and a joke.

My previous experience of day care services involved me taking part in group activities. None of the activities seemed to be tailored to my individual needs. I did make lots of friends along the way, and found it really unsettling when I moved across to the town hall. My support worker Jo, needed to work very hard to find out what was happening in my local community so that I could be included in activities that did not just involve people with learning disabilities.

I love to have a laugh and a joke

At the town hall, people all meet in a morning before going out. I still got to meet up with friends I had made at the Lyng, which was good, but I also met people from other services. It was a big change for me to take part in individual activities.

A big obstacle that needed to be overcome was using public transport as for years I have been transported on mini buses. Jo and I went out on the train and caught the train to Birmingham from Sandwell & Dudley station. Jo encouraged me to pay for my ticket, which is really good as it promotes my independence and once on the train to show my ticket to the conductor.

Many of my friends have a travel pass and Jo is going to get one for me so I can go out and about a bit further, especially on the tram. I would like to go to Bilston as I like to go places with lots of shops.

My transition to the service has been difficult at times, but it is really good that when we meet at the town hall in the morning, I get to see some of my old friends. I still do some group activities as I really love other people’s company and my friendships are important to me, but it is good to know I can do things that are just for my benefit and that I can choose them.

I now do something nearly every day in the community, which is great. On a Monday I meet up with people from Sandwell Stride, which is part of the My Time Health programme. I really enjoy being out in the fresh air and it is a good opportunity to meet up with people from all walks of life who are also interested in staying healthy. Many of the people on the walks are retired or are pensioners and they all know who I am now, which I love as it means I am engaging in my local community.

We walk along the tram track but I tend to go in my wheelchair nowadays as I can struggle to walk any distance and I get tired very easily.

On a Tuesday a small group of us go to the brine baths at Walsall. When I first started to go I would always hold on to Jo’s hand, as I was scared of letting go. Gradually I learnt to float in the water and there’s no stopping me now, the water is lovely and warm and I like to go off doing my own thing. I try really hard to get myself ready for swimming and Jo gives me lots of praise. Because my level of understanding is so good, I don’t think people gave me any credit in the past.

Wednesday is keep fit day. We have been going to the YMCA in West Bromwich for about 4 months now. It is a small group, open to anyone in the community, and one of my best friends Louise also goes, so it is a good opportunity for me to meet up with her. I like to do a bit, then have a sit down, then I do a bit more, and have another sit down. I love the music and the interaction and it’s great that it is not just people with a learning disability who go, so I am doing the same as what anyone else would be doing. Afterwards we like to unwind with a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Louise and I have been friends for years. Wherever Louise went I would follow, like her shadow. Whilst I do not do as many activities with Louise now, it is great that we still get to see each other and remain good friends. Friendships are an important part of life.

Once a week we usually go to the cinema or bowling at Dudley. The choice will depend on how many people want to go because if it is a smaller group we would go to the cinema which I really enjoy.

Recently I have enjoyed going to the library and I really love looking at books with lots of pictures and photographs in. I don’t take any books out but Jo and I will sit in a quiet part of the library and have a look at some of the books.

As much as I love being with my friends and doing things in a group, I really do enjoy spending time on my own. Its very calming in the library and I love the peace and quiet, it’s nice to have time for yourself. There are times I can be vocal in the library but Jo says “shhh we’ll get kicked out” which I find really funny!

I really do enjoy spending time on my own

Jo and I get on really well and I really trust her, just like when we are swimming. Jo has encouraged me to try many different activities and to be honest, there isn’t a lot I haven’t enjoyed doing. I really love going to the shops whether that is in West Bromwich or Merry Hill. I like to hold the basket and put my items in myself and I love putting things on the checkout, this gives me a feeling of independence.

Jo has encouraged me to try many different activities

People see the real Jayne now and no one ignores me. They have seen past all the labels and realise that I enjoy doing as much as they do. I hope in the future I will be doing more community activities.

See the person first not the label.

Going back in time to look at the lives of people with learning disabilities from a historical perspective and celebrating people’s positive lives and experiences now

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