Our Community Development Project (CDP) provides focused and intensive support to isolated individuals and families who need support to develop networks and circles of support.
A one-to-one project worker takes a person-centred approach to work with each service user, getting to know them and helping them to establish enduring circles of support.
Engagement with the Community Development Project lasts for a minimum of six months and involves establishing short, medium and long-term goals, as well as supporting access to leisure, health, social and other community resources. The aim is to build a support network based on the individual’s goals, skills, needs and preference, according to clear outcomes decided by each service user and their project worker.
PiP started working on a 1:1 basis with Paul after his dad passed away. He used to go everywhere with his dad and after he passed, Paul stopped attending PiP and college. His mum was struggling with the bereavement and with supporting Paul to engage.
A key part of the CDP is about creating wider social and community networks. PiP supported Paul to take part in an internship at the Design Museum, supporting him to travel and supporting him and the employer during the early stages. We supported Paul to engage with his local health services and to advocate for his own health needs – this resulted in a referral to a local personal trainer and gym. CDP has rebuilt Paul and his mum’s confidence after the loss of a key family member so much so that he started to take part in PiP trips and the annual PIP holiday again. We’ve also supported Paul to book his own holiday for him and his mum.
CDP also focuses on independent living skills that we teach at PiP but in a 1:1 environment. We’ve supported Paul to learn how to do his own online and in-person banking, budgeting and how to order things online to fulfil his love of buying DVDs.
Aside from the practicalities, CDP offers emotional support so that Paul can talk about his dad, be supported to deal with the loss and the confusing emotions that come with bereavement that he does not always understand.
Next on the agenda for Paul? He wants to get out there and start dating!
To refer to our Independence in the Community project, have a chat with Jordan, our Deputy Manager.
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