menu
contact
Email us:
enquiries@comae.org.uk
Call us:
01803865473
Offices 7-9
Bridge Court, Castle Street
Totnes, Devon
TQ9 5DB
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • The Life We Live
    • Testimonials
  • Living Here
    • Community Locations
    • Our Houses
    • Our Activities
    • Moving On
  • Working Here
    • Our Team
    • Recruitment
  • Training
    • Our Courses
    • Staff Training
    • External Training
  • Contact Us
  • Referrals
  • Gallery
  • Staff Forum

Moving On

Recovery through physical & emotional wellbeing

Impactful Choices

We do not seek to impose a particular lifestyle on an individual, but encourage them to take responsibility for the choices they make and recognise the impact of their choices on their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Matt Escott
Head of House Management
All images © copyright Community of St Antony & St Elias.

It’s really nice here. We’re one big team, residents included…I like being around these people. All the residents have such good qualities.

Quote from Staff Member in Hamelin’s CQC inspection report May 2016.

How do we equip people with independent living skills?

Supporting Service users in the development of independent living skills has been central to the ethos of this organisation since it was established over 30 years ago. Independent living skills are more than just the ability to cook, clean, select appropriate clothing for weather conditions or to travel safely in the community. A very simplistic definition for independent living skills would be the ability to manage the day-to-day tasks of life, doing as much as possible for ourselves. Making choices about our own lives and knowing when to ask for support from others are also a part of independent living skills.

Looking after ourselves and feeling as physically well as possible contributes to the development of confidence, positive self-esteem and wellbeing, and therefore recovery. We encourage and support Service users to attend to their physical healthcare needs. We support people to make and attend appointments with doctors, the dentist, opticians etc. and discuss issues such as diet, exercise, smoking cessation and alcohol consumption.

comae_activities_ls_061b

Developing the ability to manage our finances and live within our means is an important life skill that many of us find challenging. We support individuals to claim the state benefits that they are entitled to, and encourage them to develop a budget plan that works for them. Many of our Service users are able to manage their own money, and we are able to take on corporate appointeeship for those who are not ready to do so.

The homes we have are relatively small, providing accommodation for between 3 and 8 service users, which we believe maintains a more homely and pleasant atmosphere. Support workers and Service users have always worked together to create and maintain each home, and all Service users are encouraged to be involved with the tasks necessary to achieve this. These include:

  • Making choices about what to eat each day – either it will be communal meals that are agreed and eaten by staff and Service users together, or ‘self catering’ days where a Service user will choose meals that they prepare for just themselves. We believe that individual and group meals utilise and develop different but equally useful skills.
  • Shop for food and other household essentials, staying within the budget provided to each home. Basic records are maintained to keep track of the spending.
  • Prepare meals safely (addressing food hygiene/health and safety issues) and clearing away afterwards.
  • Personalising bedrooms and living space – choosing the colour scheme (and furnishings where possible) that reflects their style and taste.
  • Washing and drying clothes and bedding.
  • Cleaning and tidying the home.
  • Gardening.

Involvement can start at a very basic level, and will be developed during the placement, at a pace that is realistic yet manageable for each individual.
Independent living skills are not confined to domestic tasks and activities.

It must include having opportunities to make decisions that affect our lives and being able to pursue activities of our own choosing. Having an interesting and fulfilling lifestyle that offers opportunities for personal development and growth is integral to our vision of recovery.

Links with the local community are encouraged. For example, you can get involved in community projects, adult education classes, sports facilities and work experience schemes.

Everyone in the Community is involved in a broad range of activities run by the Community and outside providers. You would be expected to choose or even suggest and participate in a range of these as part of your agreed Care Plan. The Community offers a diverse range of activities, often tailored to meet specific needs and interests of individuals.

Further Reading


House Locations

Totnes, Plymouth & the Communities within
Read More

Our Activities

‘To provide opportunities for creative living through activity that embodies the ethos of the Community and meet the needs of the residents’
Read More

The Life We Live

Building consistent, trusting relationships
Read More

Get In Touch


For more information about The Community, our facilities or training programmes, get in touch today.

Contact Us

Email: enquiries@comae.org.uk.
© 2022 Community of St Antony & St Elias. Terms of Use & Privacy.