Getting The Right Getting The Right Support Support

Marie WolfeMarie Wolfe

We need support to learn how to do new things.

Every one is different, and have their own talents and abilities.

We want to be able to choose the kind of support that suits us best.

A good support relationship means getting the balance right.

Both the service user and the staff need towork together, and try and learn to understandeach other better.

The supporters sometimes need supportas well as us.

They need to have confidence in themselves.

A supporter can empower or disempower A supporter can empower or disempower people very easily,people very easily,

With a lookWith a look With a word With a word By putting blocks in the wayBy putting blocks in the way

People may need extra time, attention, or People may need extra time, attention, or help to do things.help to do things.

People who don’t use spoken language People who don’t use spoken language need someone they trust and who knows need someone they trust and who knows them well to speak for them.them well to speak for them.

We have to believe in each others rights.We have to believe in each others rights.

Disabled people have the same rights as Disabled people have the same rights as anyone else, and everyones rights are anyone else, and everyones rights are important.important.

People with a learning disability support People with a learning disability support each other all the time.each other all the time.

Supporting people is a skill which must be Supporting people is a skill which must be recognised and encouraged.recognised and encouraged.

Being independent doesn’t mean being on Being independent doesn’t mean being on your own.your own.

It means getting the help you need to get on It means getting the help you need to get on with your own life.with your own life.

You need to have respect for each other, You need to have respect for each other, and help people to find the right supporter and help people to find the right supporter for the right situation. for the right situation.

Sometimes you need different kinds of Sometimes you need different kinds of support workers to do different things.support workers to do different things.

A good supporter knows,A good supporter knows,

How to help.How to help.

How to listen.How to listen.

When to step in and when to step back.When to step in and when to step back.

Good support will help people get what they Good support will help people get what they want.want.

Good support will help more people get into Good support will help more people get into a position where they can make a a position where they can make a difference.difference.

Everyone with the right support has got Everyone with the right support has got something to say.something to say.

We need supporters not to see us as We need supporters not to see us as disabled people, but to see us as people disabled people, but to see us as people first.first.