Outward Mobility
A story by Upward Mobility
We provided activities, trips and overnight stays for young people with disabilities.
Upward Mobility’s Short Break Service (originally named Outward Mobility) has been running for the past 4 years.
What Outward Mobility did
We provided 68 individual opportunities to 21 students and their carers (estimated carer beneficiaries are 54). These activities included 8 day trips, 6 Supper Clubs, 6 discos, and 2 multi night stays. The day trips included cinema outings, shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, day out with East Lothian Rangers Service, and bowling. The multi night breaks included a 'glamping' trip to Harvest Moon, and a 3-night break to Homelands in Fife.
The coordinator involves the students and families in planning and choosing the activities then students put their names forward for participation. Students are then chosen if there are spaces, and priority is given to those in most need and in discussion with case managers, (for example priority will be given where someone has no other respite in place).
Carers were consulted during planning and after each activity, to ensure it met their needs, and they used their time to have breaks with family and enjoy 'normal' family life. This can be seen in evidence later in the report re outcomes/case studies.
A particular success is one young man who had never been away from home before but who successfully took part I three day trip to Homelands. “This has been massive for us as a family. It gives us hope that our son will be able to have a fulfilling and happy life when we are no longer around to care for him. It has given my son a huge boost to his self-esteem even although he missed us and his anxiety levels were very high when he was away. He is very proud of himself"
"This has therefore helped me by relieving a lot of my anxieties about how my son will manage when he has to live without us. It was amazing though not to have all the caring activities that I carry out every day and to have some quality time with my husband. I did get some time with a friend at the weekend which is something I can’t usually do. It has really made me feel like I have had a holiday just to get some time to myself"
What Upward Mobility has learned
Project planning and budgeting, the planning for trips has been continually improving within our project and we have been developing new paper work etc. to make the trips run as best as they can. Some new paper work we introduced included staff profile forms which included visuals and provided staff info for those attending we also ensured there was easy read versions of all documents to ensure all students could be involved and have a better understanding prior to attending the trip. This ensured young people and there carers had more confidence in the service and meant their respite experiences could be more relaxing and better value.
Targeting families most in need of support, this was our first year with a bursary fund and this meant that with our in-depth knowledge of family circumstances we could reach out to families who had not shown interest and we approached them directly to discuss whether the bursary fund could assist them with accessing respite. This gave opportunities to people who otherwise would have not been able to use the service, and it was hugely appreciated by them.
Dealing with unexpected challenges or opportunities, we organised a ‘glamping’ trip to Harvest Moon which is located on the coast on East Lothian. This is a fantastic location and we have enjoyed multiple nights away here. The Safari tents we stay in are right next to the beach and are quite exposed but great fun. Unfortunately, during our trip this year a storm happened which threatened the trip, and a back up plan had to be made.
We used dynamic risk assessment to ensure everyone's continued safety and had to look into potential other accommodation and any assistance that staff may need. We had to prepare to cancel and had to follow weather reports continually to make any decisions. Luckily the weather did not become so bad that we had to relocate or cancel the trip, however it has highlighted the importance of risk assessment and contingency planning.
How Upward Mobility has benefitted from the funding
The continued support from Better Breaks has helped us to develop and establish our Outmo service. We have had another successful year, with new people trying the service and benefiting from these respite opportunities. New young people and carers tried this for the first time and we have now created long term bonds with these people meaning there is a high chance of us continuing to work with them in future. We have had our second inspection by the Care Inspectorate for the Outward Mobility service and received 5’s for both Quality of Care & Support and also Quality of staffing. The Better Breaks funding meant that we have been able to establish ourselves as a respite service. Over the past year we have learned more about evaluation and how we can continue to improve upon this future.
Project Outcome
It was anticipated that 56 young people will participate in at least one short break activity and over 80% will take part in multiple activities.
Results
Only 21 people took part and carer beneficiary numbers are less than anticipated. We think this is for two reasons. Firstly the number of new transitional students coming forward was less than expected. Secondly, the number of people aged under 20 and eligible altered by time grant was in place. However many students enjoyed multiple activities, so this outcome was achieved. We discussed with those involved in the project what they would like to do and used this information to create trips they would most enjoy. We created a range of trips meaning students who have different interests would all be able to find something to take part in, whether that be being outdoors on a ‘Survival Day’ or going to see the latest Pixar movie.
Case study
In the summer of 2018, Upward Mobility, the day service linked to Outmo, opened a new branch in Gorebridge. This meant the young people were mixing for the first time who had previously not known each other as well. Around this time, we went on a 2-night ‘Glamping’ trip and two students who were attending the new service attended this trip, this helped them get to know each other and spend some quality time together and therefore assisted them with the transition to the new service. Whilst all trips lead to young people creating friendships, they also help people to adjust to being in this new service/space together. Feedback from two of these students who attended “It was good fun” and “I had a great day, really enjoyed myseIf".
Project Outcome
All beneficiary carers of disabled children and young people (and those they care for) will have improved well-being.
Results
We are always in close contact with the carers of the young people and the importance of this service has always been made clear by them. Many families explained that this is the only respite they receive and that without this service they would have little or no access to short breaks and time away from caring. They have expressed that the opportunities offered have meant that they could choose respite that fitted around their family lifestyle. Many families have used the mix of options available to build up to a multi-night break. As families have a relationship with Upward Mobility and therefore know staff this means that they can get more value out of the respite themselves as they have confidence in the service being delivered.
Case study
One Carer commented; “Usually when S is anywhere he will be phoning me and checking in but when at the OutMo Breaks he never does this as the activities are always something which he thoroughly enjoys, and the team clearly keep them entertained the whole time. He always returned very happy after a good day out. When he comes back I always feel more relaxed and ready to get back to normal life but with added vigour as I have had that few hours totally stress free and no phone calls at all. These breaks are invaluable.” S lives at home with his parents. His family expressed the importance of having different packages of respite available such as Supper Club “The Supper Club is fantastic as it saves me picking S up at 4 pm and taking him home giving him tea and getting him changed and then having him back at UpMo for 7pm. Going home again and then collecting again. We are about 30 mins each way each journey so not really relaxing.”
Project Outcome
That all potential 112 carer beneficiaries take up the opportunities for respite offered.
Results
54 carers benefited from the breaks offered, less than anticipated due to numbers of students taking part. Some benefited from multiple trips/events. We are always in close contact with the carers of the young people and the importance of this service has always been made clear by them. Many families explained that this is the only respite they receive and that without this service they would have little if not no support. As families have a relationship with Upward Mobility and therefore know staff this means that they can get more value out of the respite themselves as they have confidence in the service being delivered.
Case study
S lives at home with his parents, after leaving school last year. His family expressed the importance of having different packages of respite available such as Supper Club “The Supper Club is fantastic as it saves me picking S up at 4pm and taking him home giving him tea and getting him changed and then having him back at UpMo for 7pm. Going home again and then collecting again. We are about 30 mins each way each journey so not really relaxing. The extended support means his mum gets a proper break and can take part in life activities out with her caring role. S mum also stated that “Usually when S is anywhere he will be phoning me and checking in but when at the OutMo Breaks he never does this as the activities are always something which he thoroughly enjoys, and the team clearly keep them entertained the whole time. He always returned very happy after a good day out. When he comes back I always feel more relaxed and ready to get back to normal life but with added vigour as I have had that few hours totally stress free and no phone calls at all. These breaks are invaluable.”
Project Outcome
112 carers will feel that they have benefited from regular breaks over the 12 month period and that they will feel that they have been supported and that their needs have been met. Carers expressed the difference regular respite can make on their lives.
Results
We have close contact with carers we are involved in and many of them chose to go away for weekends and have some relaxation time. Also, many reported that it was nice to have time to themselves and for them to have a break from their caring duties. All of the carers have extremely demanding lives, doing full time care or caring and working at the same time and this leaves little time for self-care. Many carers discussed the assistance this has with their personal relationships with others in their lives (family, children, friends, partners, etc.), having quality undisturbed time, which can make a real difference in the moment and have long term side effects. Many of the young people have been noticeably more confident after attending these trips and more open to future opportunities that may arise. The confidence they have built means other aspects of their lives has been positively affected and their wellbeing has generally been improved.
Case study
G had never received any respite and had recently left school, placing the family under additional strain. He decided to take part in an overnight trip which was a massive challenge for himself and his family, being something he was excited for but also anxious about doing. It was a huge step towards more independence. Outmo worked with the young person and his family to ensure his complex needs would be met. Putting extra training into place, doing home visits to learn more about his routine. Also ensuring that he had enough information prior that he could prepare himself, for instance having pictures of staff who would be working with him etc. at home so he could normalise this and talk about it with his family. G’s entire team worked together to prepare him for this step. G participated in a trip to Homelands for 3 nights and we were working on the basis he would attend for one and see how he felt however he ended up staying the full three nights away from home, for the first time ever. This was a huge achievement for him and his whole family and provided them with much needed break at a time where they needed to be reassured they could continue to provide his support. When discussing the impact of the respite received G’s family said; “This has been massive for us as a family. It gives us hope that our son will be able to have a fulfilling and happy life when we are no longer around to care for him. It has given my son a huge boost to his self-esteem even although he missed us and his anxiety levels were very high when he was away. He is very proud of himself! This has therefore helped me by relieving a lot of my anxieties about how my son will manage when he has to live without us. As this was his first trip away from home we didn’t plan anything for the weekend as we expected to have to go and bring him home at some point. It was amazing though not to have all the caring activities that I carry out every day and to have some quality time with my husband. I did get some time with a friend at the weekend which is something I can’t usually do. It has really made me feel like I have had a holiday just to get some time to myself.”
Additional project outcome
Carers will have improved wellbeing
Case study
Many of our carers tell us the impact that respite has on both their child and on themselves is significant. It allows for both cared for and caring person to refresh themselves and often leads to improvements in overall wellbeing and mental health. L takes part in regular respite opportunities and this is what her mum said “Having support from Better Breaks in the form of respite provision it has allowed me to have time to myself, meet friends and participate in leisure and social activities with friends and family, which has helped my health and well-being and reduced my isolation as a carer.” When discussing the effect of respite and what respite is most helpful to their family “Weekend, evening and overnight respite were all equally valuable. The range of experience's my daughter had was fantastic, she has made new friends, learned new skills and grown in confidence. L loved her glamping experience, she also loves her Supper night experiences.”