Heathcotes launches initiative to give people a voice in shaping service improvements
Chesterfield-based care provider, Heathcotes Group, has launched an initiative to give the people at its services an influential voice in shaping future changes and improvements.
‘My Home My Say’ involves a series of drop-in sessions at various locations nationwide, inviting colleagues and the individuals they support to share ideas, discuss concerns and highlight what aspects they like in their home or workplace. The first week of events included a range of additional activities and entertainment, including circus performers, bouncy castles, tombola, nail bars, mocktails, karaoke and charity fundraising.
Heathcotes Group has organised My Home My Say in collaboration with its colleagues at Envivo Group, which acquired Heathcotes in 2020. Heathcotes is one of a range of care providers within Envivo Group, specialising in care and support for adults with learning disabilities and complex mental health needs.
Group Managing Director, Brendan Kelly, said: “Heathcotes have always believed that it’s vital to ensure that the people we support and their families are involved in decision making and the planning of their own services. It’s also important to make sure that our colleagues have their voice heard in helping us to improve and evolve the way we do things. Our colleagues at Envivo Group are also passionate advocates of that approach, so we decided to work together on the introduction of My Home My Say at various services.”
Keeley Denman, Group Family & Co‑Production Partner at Envivo Group, said: “We recognise that traditional surveys don’t always work in capturing people’s views, so we decided to be physically present to allow people to interact with us in a relaxed way that will encourage people to open up and just have a good conversation.
“It’s an ongoing process and we will continue the conversation with services as our plans develop. Heathcotes and Envivo are also teaming up to create co-production committees which invite participation from the people we support, families and colleagues. They will provide a space where we work together, listen and collaborate.”
Joseph Murphy, Service Manager at Heathcotes’ Norton Lees service in Sheffield, said: “The My Home My Say event at Norton Lees was a resounding success. The feedback was fantastic and everyone appeared to be smiling and laughing throughout the day. This will certainly not be the last get together for our Yorkshire services and we can expect to see further events in the near future.”
Heathcotes Group’s range of specialist services supports individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome, autism, Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, Personality Disorder, physical disabilities, Prader-Willi Syndrome, sensory impairments, speech difficulties and severe epilepsy.
The company provides full-time residential care services alongside supported living which enables service users to develop their independence in self-contained accommodation.
Heathcotes Group supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
