Gateway to an independent life

JO Naughton could never be described as vulnerable. Strong and confident are words more commonly associated with the mother of five who has been the main carer for her teenage son, James since he was born.

Yet just months ago the North Yorkshire mum was at her wits’ end as the impact of caring for him took its toll.

Faced with leaving the safe environment of his special school his behaviour became unpredictable as he became aware his life was about to change and uncertainty set in.

Despite knowing he had a place at college and that he would be taken there and back every day, he became difficult, causing Jo and her family untold anguish.

Their lifeline came in the guise of Harrogate based ubu Supported Living which has dramatically helped turn her life around, but more importantly that of James.

Ubu offers supported living to adults with learning difficulties, to help them 
strive for independence 
at their pace and on their terms.

With a pioneering model of care its enablers develop an individual plan for each client based on their needs, wants and aspirations

They currently work with 400 people offering supported care in high quality accommodation, with support services such as help with job hunting, education and socialising.

Importantly, it enables families to feel confident their loved ones are cared for, supported and at the same time striving for a level of independent living they themselves cannot help them achieve.

Over a period of months Jo and her family discovered how ubu could help James and themselves cope with the many transformations that were about to take place in his life.

Initially James lived at one of the existing ubu supports as he got used to the transition from home to independent living.

Since the end of January he has been living in a newly- developed ubu support 
close to central Harrogate 
that Jo helped to officially open.

The old Kirksyde Hotel, owned by the Pullan family, made up of five houses on Belmont Road going into St Mary’s Walk, near the Valley Gardens, was officially re-opened as flats which have now been leased to ubu.

Ubu, which helps provide support to vulnerable adults with learning disabilities, has leased the site for 25 years.

The hotel closed in the late 1950s and was converted into 16 small flats and will now enjoy a new lease of life.

Jo described the help and support it gives clients and their families as “life saving”. “It gives families peace of mind to know that their loved ones are going to be cared for and offered the kind of support that suits them,” she said.

She was also happy to talk to the BBC about the ubu model of care for its Saints and Scroungers programme.

Dorothy Jarvis Lee, chief executive for ubu, says: “The way we deliver support is a key element of how ubu are moving forwards towards a vision of enabling citizenship by transforming people’s lives with minimal support.

“Ubu’s unique transformational approach supports people giving then greater independence 
safely and reduces levels of 
support.

“The approach delivers safe progressive outcomes in a flexible supportive environment.

“The government must commit to realistic sustainable funding to meet the personal needs of vulnerable individuals.

“We have spent decades fighting for citizen recognition not in institutions but within the community.

“So many people have come so far, gained much greater independence and self worth away from the large institutions, we cannot do a u-turn now nor can we let those folk down.

“At ubu people really matter that is why we ensure we don’t let them get forgotten in the system; we make their life happen for them in the way that means something to them.”

As for James and Jo it has changed life for both of them and their other family members.

Giving James some independence and giving Jo peace of mind that he is safe and happy.