Why cost of living crisis creates challenges for social care - Michael Short

Fortunately, our CEO, Angela is a visionary who allows us to have autonomy and her passion inspires our staff and drives us to do the best for the individuals we support. I’d like to share some of the things we’ve done to keep costs down but maintain the quality of life for our people.

All our staff work with individuals to assess the energy efficiency of their properties so they can save money where possible. This may, for example, mean turning the heating down during the night when they are asleep. In turn, the organisation has funded warm clothes like fleece jackets for support staff who are on duty in the properties overnight.

We’ve also taught individuals to batch-cook to save money by reducing food waste and energy costs. If someone wants to buy a cake, we teach them how to buy the ingredients and bake it. As well as keeping costs down, it has other benefits like the sensory stimuli of smelling and feeling the cake as they make it, so this is a win-win. We collect points and rewards cards and look for discounts and coupons in newspapers for days out in the local area. By doing this, we were recently able to

take some individuals to Scarborough Castle. We’re also contacting theme parks, zoos and other tourist attractions to try to get free or discounted entry.

Often an individual will have reduced cost entry but if they are someone who requires three or four support workers, the cost of a day out can be phenomenal. We also look on local websites for people offering furniture free of charge. One member of staff supported an individual to source an electric organ on a free marketplace website. The young man has since started to learn to play by ear and with the help of free online tutorials, has mastered two tunes.

He has something he can focus on and a sense of accomplishment and he’s so proud of what he’s achieved he invites people into his home to listen to him – something he previously struggled with. A huge improvement to his life, for a small amount of effort on our part.

It’s not just about saving money though. You and I have day-to-day coping strategies for the stresses of life that things such as having to cut back on spending. Many of the individuals we support do not have ways of coping with change or the challenges this period of economic uncertainty brings. So any new way of being that we introduce has to be done carefully and considerately. we continue to find ways to encourage them to develop skills and competencies development so they are valued in society. That way we create equality. And maybe one day we can live in a world where no one bats an eyelid when I walk down the street with someone with a complex care need.

Michael Short, Head of Positive Behaviour Support at Happy

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