“Client-focused support is at the heart of what we do.”

Posted on 11 September 2024

As part of our Board’s ongoing commitment to understanding the daily challenges and successes within our services, Pauline Ford, the Chair of our Board, recently visited one of our supported living services for individuals with learning disabilities in Chichester. In this article, Pauline shares her insights and reflections from the visit.

All members of our Board get out and about to visit services and attend events as we are keen to hear from both clients and colleagues about their experience of Southdown.  At every Board meeting there is a slot at the start of the meeting so that we can discuss what we have seen and heard as we have been out and about. Why? We are all committed to understanding Southdown’s range of services, the day-to-day challenges and successes, and the type of things that will make a difference.

I was over in Chichester and thought it was a great opportunity to check in at Southdown’s Lennox Court supported living learning disability service and meet with the manager who joined Southdown earlier in the year. Lennox Court has a lovely feel with work identified by the team to make the communal area even more homely and planned investment in the secluded and sunny outside space which is generously supported by the family of a client who sadly passed away.

What did I learn? That clients are at the heart of everyone’s thinking and are very active with multiple interests (well supported by the team). In addition, that meeting colleagues from other services is a joy. The team shared challenges too which I have had or am due to have follow up conversations about.  I will also be considering these as I receive reports at Board and committee meetings.

I also look forward to going back to see the results of the landscaping in the outside space at the service, and meeting the whole team and all the clients.

Did you know…

Across our 27 learning disability services in Sussex, we enable 160 people to fill their lives with things that they enjoy, that bring them happiness, and that matter the most to them. We support people with complex physical and behavioural needs, requiring specialist, high intensity support. To enable us to do this we receive £14.7 million of funding from local authorities and employ a skilled and dedicated care and support team of 500 employees.