Putting people at the centre of their support

What is a PBS plan?

It’s a plan for me and for my support staff to know how to work with me.

I liked being involved in doing the PBS plan. It’s personalised to me. I liked planning and coming up with my own ideas and pictures on how it’s best to support me.

Can you tell us the process of creating your PBS plan?

I met up with Debbie, PBS Team Leader, for chats over tea or in a pub for about a year to talk about how I’m feeling, my emotions, and what I wanted to put in the plan.

We came up with things I find difficult or trigger me to feel stressed and I told Debbie what I get upset with and that’s how we found out what I need. We developed social stories together which are scenarios to help me cope better, and I chose the emotional flashcards I want to use to help explain how I’m feeling.

I’ve found working with Debbie helpful. I enjoyed the process. It felt good because it helped me feel in control and I could decide when to meet and what to talk about. Debbie suggested I present my plan in a staff meeting and we took it in turns to explain it to people. It was important I did this so staff know how to work with me, especially because we’ve had a lot of new people join the service.

I felt a bit nervous when I did the presentation, but it was fun. I was getting my confidence up. I felt listened to. Debbie said I worked really, really hard on it. I got enjoyment out of doing something different.

What has been a positive outcome from your PBS plan?

I now have flashcards which I can carry around with me to help me express how I feel. They help me when I’m anxious, or cross, or don’t understand something. There are also cards to help me take time to breathe, take a time-out, go for a walk, or have a cup of tea. I think it has been helpful.

I’ve also been working on building good relationships and good communication with people. It’s felt nice doing this. I’m getting on really well with a new Support Worker – we have fun. I’ve built a really good relationship with her. It’s been getting easier to have Support Workers in my flat now. I’m getting on well.

I also like to go out a lot more and I go to a gardening club. Everyone’s mental health benefits from being outside. I always have a plan of what I want to do. Debbie has helped me with my confidence. She phones me weekly so I can tell her how I’m feeling.

How will your PBS plan support your independence?

Having this plan is helping me be more independent.

I now have tools to help me manage my feelings. I have less anxiety now.

Budgeting my money better is helping me be more independent. I’m going out and choosing my own plants, and I’m making better choices with my food shopping. Debbie has helped a lot with that – I’ve learnt a lot from her.

The new Service Manager has brought her experience here and we’re learning from each other. We talk regularly. It feels different, for the better. It’s taught me that good things can happen with change.

What do you most want this year?

I want to go out more, have fun, and not be too worried about stuff. And if I do get upset, I can now tell people what I need and how I feel.

I know what I enjoy doing. I really like gardening so I’ve been getting plants. I like to go to the Weald and Downland Living Museum, Brick Kiln Garden Centre, and Runcton Farm Shop. I like to go to the cinema and I like going shopping.

I also like doing art lessons. Doing craft like colouring and drawing has helped with my anxiety. I go with a friend and we share our experiences with each other.

What does it mean to you to be in control of your life and support?

It’s good for me to be in control of my own life and tell people how I feel. Then I can go out when I want to and explain to staff or medical professionals how I’m feeling.

I’ve had two really good days this week and they’re linked to me feeling positive and in control. I feel I’ve been more relaxed. I feel like I’ve had more fun in my life.

It makes a difference for everyone ‘cos we get to go out and enjoy ourselves. We’ve got some nice things planned for next week, like going to a flower festival.

Do you feel included in your support?

I’ve felt included in the support. I had good ideas I wanted to put in my plan.

My Service Manager has worked with me to figure out who the best people are to support me with my schedule, and she’s been identifying what I am interested in and finding ways we can do it in the service, like making a herb garden.

Finding a way to talk about how I feel has been really important. Talking about things is good. Otherwise, if you keep worries inside you it can make you anxious.

The best thing about Southdown support is having continuity in life, learning new things, and going out. I feel like I’ve changed a bit as a person and building confidence every day.