As part of the united National International Day of Care and Support, St John Qld would like to recognise the important work of our team who provide accompanied activities services supporting vulnerable members of our community to remain independent and active in their community, even if that is just by picking your own bananas!
It’s about what support makes possible
For someone who no longer drives or is unable to catch the bus, getting out can be tricky. For someone who is frail, unsteady or not confident going out alone, having someone with them can make a real difference. A support worker can provide practical and physical help as well as encouragement and emotional reassurance, helping them take part in everyday activities and continue doing things for themselves. Once a client is registered, they or a family member, nominated carer or case manager can make bookings on their behalf, up to three months ahead.
What happens next is up to them, whether that means going to the supermarket, a medical appointment, the library, several shops, a walk at the beach or somewhere they haven’t been for a while. It could even be a trip to the movies, attending a funeral or a morning out strawberry picking in the fresh air.
One of our support Workers, Dee has seen how having someone there can help people through anxiety about getting out on their own. “One client had become isolated and hadn’t left her home in months due to a decline in mobility. With support, she began going shopping and then, all of a sudden, she was talking about going on group social trips and being dropped off for appointments”
Choosing your own bananas
Another of our support workers, Tomas said one client who can no longer safely drive or catch the bus now feels more confident getting out into the community and doing her shopping with his support.
Another discovered that shopping didn’t have to mean struggling home with one bag balanced against a wheelie walker anymore. With help, they can now do a full week’s shopping, or even shop for longer, without having to work out how to carry everything themselves.
And then there are the bananas.
Dee and Tomas talk about clients who want to choose their own food rather than having somebody else decide what they will eat.
Some clients are very particular about their bananas. They might pick one from one bunch, another from a different bunch and reject the rest. For others, it might be getting the right punnet of strawberries.
Shopping online might make things easier, but other people choose your fruit for you. The bananas in your shopping might not be the ones you like.
With the St John Qld Accompanied Activities service, clients get to choose their own bananas again. With a support worker driver there to push the trolley, reach the top shelf, carry the bags and even just to chat, shopping becomes accessible again and something clients can look forward to.
Clients can buy the specials at Coles, then pop to Aldi for the offers there, or visit Woolies or the local fruit shop. The important thing is they get to decide where to go and what to buy for themselves.
This service forms part of a vital assistance network for people who wish to remain independent within their community and who may not have access to informal or unpaid support.
If this service could benefit you or someone you care about, please call our friendly team on 1300 785 646 (select option 1) or email intake@stjohnqld.com.au.
