Skills for Care Accolades 2010

On Thursday 25th November Mark Eastburn and I went with a group of 9 other people from MacIntyre to the Skills for Care Accolades in London. MacIntyre’s work on Great Interactions was nominated for the award that recognises innovation in training.

At the event Mark was certain that we were going to win our category whilst the rest of us were too nervous to hope for a win! It felt like we had to wait such a long time for the award part of the evening to begin, as there were speeches and a rather posh meal first.

When it was announced that we had won our category Mark was up on the stage in a flash. I was several steps behind him as the news was just beginning to sink in. We accepted the award and had our photos taken. Everyone at our table was jumping around and cheering as we were all so excited.

When the time came for the Winner of Winners award we didn't think we were in with a chance to win this as there were so many fantastic people there, although we did spend a lot of time admiring the trophy. When our name was called as the Winner of Winners we were all so surprised and excited. Again Mark was up and on the stage before I had even pushed my chair back. So to Mark, thank you for ensuring someone was up there to accept the award promptly and with such enthusiasm—you were certainly the star of the night.

However I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our Senior Practitioners who have been so involved in the Great Interactions work - without your hard work and dedication to improve all interactions with the people MacIntyre supports, we would not have won this prestigious award.

Well done everyone!

Great Interactions Story - Beulah House

All Day Every Day!

At Beulah we have always communicated well but thanks to the Introduction to Great Interactions: Facilitation module everyone is more aware of what makes a great interaction, for example staff take more time to get eye contact and to position themselves appropriately.

On our handover forms we have a space for self reflection on what’s gone well or what we might do differently next time. We are always looking and thinking of how we might improve.

I was thrilled when I signed to one of our ladies that we were going for a bath and she signed back that she wanted food, so we had something to eat first, she was pleased I understood her—in the past we wouldn't have picked up that she had signed.

Whether it is cleaning, cooking or making music — staff know how to make it better for the people we support. Staff are also happy knowing that the way they are now interacting is making a difference.

Taken from a story by Carol Groom, Head of Service

Great Interactions Fund - Wingrave School

Wingrave School applied to the Great Interactions Fund for an art project, with the help of artist Jan Niedoojadlo they wanted to build a sensory pod.

The film below is a short photo story of the project

Over the course of three days lots of people helped to build the structure of the pod and each student made an individual piece of artwork to be put inside the pod. Different materials were put into the pod to increase the sensory experience, this even included some sound tubes and guitar strings.

All students had the opportunity to help at any time and the work never stopped, the whole project was a fantastic opportunity for many many great interactions.

At the moment the pod is being relocated to a new site around the school and this is being used as an opportunity to update the artwork, creating even more opportunities for fun and exciting interactions.

Taken from a write up by Kevin Haynes, Wingrave School

Great Interactions Story - Reps on Board

Remembering the facilitation skills with Reps on Board

Martin is well over 6 foot tall meaning that he towers above most people, this height difference is even more marked when Martin joins a sitting discussion group during training. Together Martin and I have worked through the facilitation module and we have discussed great interactions, particularly we have worked on body positioning and eye contact.

During a recent training session with Reps on Board and its supporters Martin joined a group in his usual fashion, standing above them. I whispered 'Great Interactions' to Martin and he immediately remembered the work on positioning we had been doing and he knelt down to talk with the group at their eye level.

By Alison Wright, Reps on Board

Thinking Sensory

We've just made a 'Thinking Sensory - Hirstwood Workshop booklet" which should give you lots of cheap ideas to help you get creative. I know many of you have developed your own sensory items or found a 'wee gem' so let's share and build on this!