We want you to feel comfortable with the people supporting you. Someone who listens, respects how you like things done and helps you get on with your day.
We also want you to feel comfortable asking for help. Because sometimes, even when support is right there, asking doesn’t come easily.
Finding the right fit
Some people like a chat and a laugh. Others prefer things a little quieter. You might enjoy having someone who shares your interests, or appreciate someone who gives you space and lets you set the pace.
There is no one personality that suits everyone.
But whoever is supporting you should be reliable, listen to you and respect your choices. You should be able to say, “I like it done this way,” “Can we do something different today?” or “I’d like to try that myself first.”
And if the fit isn’t right, please tell us. You don’t have to put up with something that isn’t working because you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.
“Is there anything you need?”
It’s a question support workers often ask, and the answer we regularly hear is:
“No, not really.”
Sometimes that’s exactly how you feel. But sometimes there are things you would like help with. You just don’t like asking for them to be done.
You might feel awkward, think you should manage it yourself or worry that you are asking too much.
Your supports are there to do just that: SUPPORT YOU.
If you need help getting dinner started, ask. If there is a task you have been putting off because it feels too much, mention it. If you would like to get out of the house but need help working out where to go, say so.
You are not being a burden. Asking for help with things that fall within your worker’s role is part of what your support is for.
That might mean doing something together, having someone help you get started or getting assistance with the parts you find difficult.
Workers can help with this too. Rather than only asking, “Do you need anything?”, offering a few suggestions can make the conversation easier. Sometimes we don’t know where to start until someone helps us think it through.
And of course, you can still say no. We just don’t want you saying no because you feel uncomfortable asking.
You should have a say in your day
Having support doesn’t mean handing over the decisions.
What would you like to get done? Where would you like to go? What would make today a little easier?
These conversations matter. Making a plan together at the start of a shift is a good way to make sure your support is useful to you and fits within what has been agreed.
Some days you might want more help. Other days you might want to do more yourself. Let your worker know.
They are there to support you, and your preferences should be part of how that happens.
Friendly, caring and professional
We want you to get along with your workers. Having a laugh, enjoying a conversation and building trust are all positive things.
At the same time, support workers are formal, paid supports. They can be friendly and caring, but their role is different from that of a personal friend.
Being clear about this helps everyone.
It means workers can finish their shift and have their own time. It means keeping things like personal loans and private favours out of the relationship, and following the agreed arrangements for contact and social media.
It also means you can ask for changes or raise a concern without feeling you are letting a friend down. You don’t owe your worker a favour for providing your support.
We have a responsibility to explain these boundaries clearly. If you are ever unsure about something, ask us.
Why we build a team around you
At SLC Supports, we build teams to support our clients, rather than relying on one individual worker.
There is a good reason for this. Everyone is entitled to be sick or have a holiday. A worker shouldn’t feel guilty for needing time off, and you shouldn’t feel unsupported because that person is away.
It is understandable to have a preferred worker. But we don’t want you to feel that only one person can help you, or a worker to feel they must always be available because nobody else can step in.
Having a familiar team helps prevent that over-reliance on one another.
It gives you time to get to know different workers, and gives them time to learn how you like things done. The aim is that when someone is away, another person you already know can step in.
We know it can take time to feel comfortable with someone new. That is why building those relationships along the way matters, rather than waiting until your usual worker is unavailable.
We want you to know you have a team behind you. People who understand your support and who you feel comfortable asking for help.
Tell us what you need
You can ask for help and still make your own decisions. You can enjoy spending time with your workers and still have clear professional boundaries. And you can have a favourite worker while getting to know and trust the rest of your team.
If you need something, say so. If you’re not sure whether your support covers it, ask. If something isn’t working, please tell us so we can work through it with you.
Your support is there for you. We want you to feel comfortable using it.
To talk about your support, get in touch with SLC Supports.