Tomos is supported to develop his life skills

When Tomos moved in to Tir Y Berth in 2021, mirus staff worked with him to assess his skills and engagement levels in different tasks. They realised that although Tomos had strengths in a few areas there was lots of room to develop his life skills and increase his independence.

Tomos was already able to use his tablet to select what he wants to watch, which gave him choice at home. He could also skilfully manoeuvre his wheelchair around obstacles, which made accessing his community easier – but Tomos, his family and his mirus staff knew that he was capable of much more. 

After Tomos’ assessment, mirus staff identified his strengths and areas that he could develop. To help them support Tomos to progress, staff received training in Active Support. 

Active Support is a way of supporting people that can improve people’s life by identifying and increasing opportunities for engagement, development and access to activities. People’s progress is continuously monitored to make sure the plans are working, and ensure that adjustments can be made where it isn’t. 

Using this approach, mirus staff worked together with Tomos and his family to agree on some goals that would help Tomos achieve the things that matter most to him. 

Together they planned the first steps that would teach Tomos to do his own shopping, prepare food, and do laundry.

mirus staff worked with Tomos and showed him how to blend his own food, using hand on hand support. Each mirus staff member followed the teaching plan to make sure they were all teaching Tomos in the same way, and that he was supported to do each step in turn. 

The step by step plan was a great success, and now Tomos makes his own lunch every day. He loves using the blender as the vibration and noise makes him laugh and smile. 

Tomos has made steady progress with his other goals too. He has learned to load the washing machine independently, and iron his own t-shirts with support and as a result takes more pride in his appearance. Tomos also completes his weekly food shop, including selecting his items from the shelves, putting the shopping on the checkout and paying the bill with only simple verbal instructions for support.

Tomos’ family are amazed at the progress he has made in all aspects of his life.

His support plan has given more structure to his day, and he has developed his life skills, become more independent, and leads a more fulfilling life.