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PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE | Working with Gareth
This year World Down Syndrome Day calls on people to be With Us Not For Us. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities calls for everyone to have the freedom to make their own choices.


People with Down syndrome often have controlling support with supporters doing things for them, not with them.


We'd love to share the progression story of Gareth, a person we support at Highlea Care in County Durham who has personal experience of transitioning from living with support 'for him', not 'with him'. Now leading a more independent life in a supported living setting where he is flourishing and fulfilling his dreams.


Gareth moved into a supported living setting with Highlea Care, part of National Care Group, in 2009. Previously Gareth had lived at home with Mum who had done everything for him, showering him in love and protection but not setting him up with the life skills needed for adulthood.


The Highlea Care Team work within the framework of National Care Group's progression model, which involves encouraging increased independent living and progression through positive risk-taking. Personalised care plans are developed with the individual person in control of their desired goals. One of the top goals on Gareth's list was cooking. Over the years, Gareth has been supported and encouraged to cook and contribute to the preparation of his own meals, starting by doing his own shopping and making choices. Gareth has also been supported to better integrate with friends and the local community. Over the years Gareth has made many friends and has a very busy social calendar; he's an active member of a friendship club and he regularly attends a day service.


The Highlea Care Team have seen Gareth's confidence grow in abundance over the past 14 years. He not only prepares meals for his fellow house mates but he does so with his chef's hat on and entertains everyone along the way. He is so well-known in the community that he can't walk down the street without bumping into several people he knows. He also travels independently, taking a taxi on his own to attend his friendship club.


His increased independence has been supported by his family who he travels overseas with all the time. Encouraged by his sister who supports him to fulfil all his dreams, including his travelling goals, Gareth can't wait to go on a cruise later this year.


Gareth, known as an entertainer, gets on famously with the people he lives with and his support team. He enjoys a great relationship with Team Leader Jonathan whom he playfully calls 'Dad'. They are fondly known for taking the mickey out of one another and creating lots of laughter in the house. Living and working with others has taught Gareth so much about relationships - both the reward and also loss, having sadly lost friends over the years in someway prepared him for the devastating loss of his Mum in 2022.


It is safe to say Gareth is truly living his best life, making choices to achieve and enjoy all his favourite things including his past times of singing, watching wrestling, travelling to his hearts desire, cheekily eating everyone's chocolate (especially Cadbury's Creme Eggs) and being empowered to explore on days trips.


To read a little more about the brilliant work of NCG's Highlea Care supported living services, click here .

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