‘Reservists’ step in to support Sussex care provider

Southdown is providing care and support for more than 200 people with learning disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic, many of whom have additional physical disabilities and behaviour support needs, a spokesman for the firm said.

He added: “With an increase in staff absence due to the need to self-isolate, Southdown colleagues in other parts of the organisation have volunteered to be released from their current roles to provide support to their Learning Disability Services colleagues.

“More than 55 of these wonderful staff volunteers, known as Southdown Reservists, have signed up to take on support roles including telephone support buddies and food delivery drivers.

“Their initial achievements have included setting up a new food delivery system, operating from Southdown’s Lewes head office and Brighton Preston Park Recovery Centre to help the Learning Disability Services access food supplies.”

The team are supporting clients who are being shielded, providing distanced support and helping community partners with their emergency plans among other activities.

Alison Bacon, Support Manager at Brook Court in Horsham said: “We’re a 24-hour supported living service for people with substantial needs, so it’s a challenging time for all of us but our team are doing a fantastic job of providing care and support.

“One of our staff members supported a resident who was crying about the situation. They got him a Guinness, waited for the start of dusk, then poured the drink for them so they could watch the sunset together.

“Our volunteers who are isolating have been able to make calls to clients and keep their connection going, and we’ve had great fun making quizzes and playing games together, which is something we love doing all year round. We also have an inflatable exercise horse.”

She added that staff go ‘over and above’ with senior managers supporting them.

Alison said: “Head office staff are taking on key worker roles and delivering us food, and our lovely Southdown reservists have really helped with that.

“A local supermarket sent the support workers and each of the people we support here a massive bunch of flowers last week. That meant a lot to us.”

Support worker Jackie said staff help people express their emotions and Mel added that workers joined the Clap for Carers campaign.

Sharon Clare, Southdown’s director of operations for care and support said: “There are different strains and challenges for our staff and the people they support as we all adapt to new ways of living and working.

“The incredible combined efforts of our staff means that the situation at our services across Sussex is really stable.

“Our volunteer Social Telephone Buddies service is working really well, supporting clients who are struggling with not being able to go outside and interact with the outside world.”

Stuart McKenzie is a Southdown Reservist who usually works as a housing brokerage officer.

He said: “Three months is a long time to be alone, especially if you’re a sociable person. We have a part to play in making sure vulnerable people are not left out and this is my way of helping.

“My colleagues are an amazing bunch - they’re all important and make Southdown a special organisation.

“The first guy I’m supporting is someone from our Learning Disability Support service who is self-isolating at his mum’s house.

“He usually spends his time between the two homes and had to choose where to stay during this time. It’s difficult for him to cope with the isolation and disruption to his routine.

“I will call him every Monday but I said he can call me anytime in between our weekly chat. He’s a big Brighton and Hove Albion fan and likes his music so we’re a good match.

“Small interactions in our daily lives are so important. We might not be friends with our bus driver or shopkeeper but the conversations we have are vital.

“This reservist service is replacing those during the pandemic and it’s allowing people to have conversations with people who share similar interests. We want people to be as happy as they can be and to reduce loneliness.”