We believe that the right support and understanding can help people build confidence, independence, and meaningful friendships. Megan’s journey with us is another wonderful example of how personalised support can make a real difference.
When Megan first joined our Day Opportunities in Dorchester, we worked closely with her and her family to understand what would help her feel comfortable, confident and ready to take part in daily activities.
Meeting individuals where they’re at.
We adapt our support in a number of ways to suit Megan’s needs, such as introducing a range of visual and practical supports to help structure her day. Megan has access to a dedicated computer when she arrives, helping her ease into the morning at her own pace. We use egg timers of different lengths so she can clearly see how long she has before the next activity begins, and a “Now and Next” visual board on the wall helps her understand what is happening throughout the day.
Enabling choice is integral to our support, and all those who attend are empowered to express their wishes on what they’d like to do, and how we can help them. We keep support and staff flexible to help Megan. For example, if she feels a full day out might be overwhelming, a member of staff can support her on a shorter trip using their own car, instead of our EMA Social Care minibus with the group, so she can still enjoy an outing in a way that feels manageable and more calming for her.
Just as importantly, when Megan joined us, staff took the time to really get to know her. By building strong relationships and trust, the team have been able to support her in a way that feels fun and engaging, encouraging her to take part in group activities and outings with confidence. Discovering her personality, likes and dislikes – it’s all part of our commitment to building the best support around her, and Megan has become such a vibrant part of our lives.
“Megan has made fantastic progress since she first started attending the service.” – Gemma, Support Worker
In the early days, arriving at day opportunities was difficult for Megan. She would often become distressed and didn’t want her mum to leave. With patience, reassurance, and consistent support from staff, this has changed dramatically. Megan now arrives happily and is able to come from the car into the building on her own.
She has also developed greater independence during the day. Megan now enjoys eating lunch at the table with everyone else and takes responsibility for putting her plate into the dishwasher afterwards.
Having a clear morning routine has helped her feel more settled, and one big goal set for her when she first joined the service have been successfully achieved. Megan was encouraged to take part in outings four days a week, and she now regularly joins these activities. A huge tick against her list of goals!
Megan has expressed that one of the main things she enjoys most about attending EMA is “spending time with staff and her friends“, particularly the other girls who attend, who she’s building great friendships with. Her favourite activity is swimming, although she also takes part in a variety of other outings and experiences organised by our team.
“All the staff are approachable, friendly and incredibly supportive.” – Megan’s Mum
Megan’s mum has shared how positive the experience has been for both Megan and their family. She described the transition from education into social care as “amazing”, explaining that our staff took the time to be patient and gradually support Megan through the change. She also shared how welcoming the group has been, saying that the other people who attend the service have embraced Megan and that it feels “like a family”.
Megan has been encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities including swimming, sailing and walks, and her mum praised the staff team for their dedication and support. She said our staff are “absolutely fantastic with Megan”, describing us as approachable, friendly and incredibly supportive.
Seeing how well Megan has settled has also helped her family begin to think about the future in new ways. Her mum shared that she had never previously considered supported living, but Megan’s progress and independence have made this feel like a possible option in the future.
We are incredibly proud of Megan and the progress she has made. Her journey highlights the importance of personalised support, strong, caring relationships and creating opportunities for people to build confidence at their own pace.
Megan continues to be a valued member of our Day Opportunities community, and we look forward to supporting her as she continues to grow in independence and enjoy new experiences!
