Richard's story about advocacy

Richard is a 33 year old man from East London who has a profound learning disability with limited mobility and epilepsy. He does not use formal communication but communicates with gestures and vocalisations.

Richard needs 24 hour support including support with all his personal care needs. He needs 2 to 1 support in the community due to his behavioural needs.

Richard enjoys going for long drives and listening to music.

Richard has experienced care services in the past that did not meet his needs. He lived in care homes where staff did not have the time or training to communicate with him properly. Richard often had nothing to do for long periods of time and got very frustrated. As a result Richard was labelled as having challenging behaviour.

Richard was referred to the High Support Needs advocate at The Daffodil Advocacy Project. She spent time getting to know him and listening to his mum about what was really important for him and to him. The advocate suggested Supported Living as Richard seemed to want support that was all about him and what he wanted rather than support that was shared between lots of other people with complex needs. Richard preferred to do what he wanted, when he chose to do it.

Although it took a long time, as many people believed supported living could not work for people who have more complex needs, Richard eventually got his own bungalow with 24 hour support.

Richard’s mum says he is now a changed man. He can choose when he wants to go out and often goes to local club nights where he loves the music and lights. Staff have time to communicate with Richard in the ways that best suit him and he gets on really well with them.