Be More Human Archives

Direct Voices: Including Lived Experiences in Service Design – Proper Coproduction (4:12)

This carer says the subcommittee made it clear that officials were warned a decade ago but did very little, apart from underfunding services, and this has led to real harm.

They argue that councils and health bodies – like Norfolk County Council and the ICB – must not redesign learning disability or autism services without properly involving people with disabilities, people with lived experience, and family members such as siblings and parents.

These people should help make decisions, not just be invited to share sad stories.

They call for real representation, not tokenism, and suggest a “30, 30, 30” mix to ensure balance.
They also say meetings need to be run properly: with clear agendas, written minutes, named people responsible for each action, deadlines, and real consequences if things aren’t done.

Without ownership and accountability, they say, nothing actually changes. This is a call for proper coproduction.

Andrew who is Autistic, discusses his 20 year career at the Great Yarmouth Library (9:07)

Andrew a longtime library employee discusses his 20-year career and explains how the job’s daily variation and his involvement in diverse tasks keep him engaged.

Following his autism diagnosis in 2014, he has received good support from his current team and manager, including the implementation of a personalised wellness plan. Andrew shares insights on how to support autistic colleagues, emphasising the importance of individualised approaches, clear communication, and flexible support systems.

He also reflects on the library’s evolution from a traditional book-lending facility to a vibrant community hub offering various services from mental health support to migrating assistance and warm drinks for those in need. The library continues to adapt, with ongoing programs like the summer reading challenge for children.

The importance of where David lives. (3:24)

David says he loves living in this quiet, convenient home in the middle of Norwich, especially the beautiful back garden Pat designed. He likes that the neighbourhood has a real mix of people including students, teachers, older residents, refugees, and university staff.

He feels there’s a strong sense of community: he knows the man who runs the local paper shop and often chats with the regulars there in the mornings. When he was injured, an older neighbour walking by offered to deliver his newspaper for him, which shows the everyday kindness and helpfulness in the area.

Person centered care: Small things big difference (2:28)

Person centred care: Small things big difference

Sue talks about person centered care and why this is so important.

The cares who have been good have provided person centred care for her mum and dad.

Sue reflects that person centeredness is about preference, choice, dislikes how you would like things etc providing examples of how this has been with her parents.

Whilst noting these may be small things such as what plate, cultlery they like, how they have their tea, how they like their eggs, how her dads hair is combed each small thing makes a big difference.

Its the silliest things we take for granted but they become the most important when you start recieving care.

The difference person centred care makes to family (3:52)

Sue reflects on the little things that make a big difference in regards to person centred care.

She talks about what difference knowing her parents are recieving good care means to her.

Sue gives examples and shares how it enables her to relax and have less stress worrying about how her parents are or if they are getting the right care without feeling guilty confident that her parents are recieving the attention they need.

What being human means to Jac and Baz (1:55)

Jac expresses that to her being more human means that she has a purpose, she has an opinion and reason to be here. Jac and Baz explain that shortly after moving from Ipswich and bought there home to be mortgage free, get out more, things changed dramatically due to Baz having a heart attach and then Jac becoming ill.

Jac/Baz notes the different experiences/attitudes of hospitals and care homes; not reading notes and Doctors seeing her as a case study rather than a person with her own knowledge, leaving her feeling as though what she felt and thought does not count – and not treated like a person with agency.

Value your staff and they will value each other (4:00)

Sue shares what she feels needs to happen to ensure the people who work in the care service are the right people.

She highlights the importance of valuing and supporting staff in home care services to ensure quality care.

These include the necessity of spending time with and trusting staff, improving recruitment, training, and induction processes, and the importance of face-to-face interaction for instilling care values.

Sue notes the pressure on support staff, especially overseas workers, and the administrative burdens they face.

Paticular emphasis is placed on the need for continuous support to prevent staff from feeling undervalued, which can affect care quality.

Sue also touches on the effectiveness of current regulatory monitoring by the CQC.

Being More Human: Has been lost to progress (1:40)

Sue is asked what Being More Human means to her in the context of care. Sue reflects that it feels like another buzz phrase to revamp things that were beginning to happen years ago.

Sue talks about how in the past this was how people worked, similar to nursing in the way you would work with families and individuals.

Now there is so much pressure and lead by contractual commission organised and focussed the rushing in and out has lost the luxury to be more human. She concludes that a lot of good things have been lost in progress.

What does being more human mean in the context of care? (2:59)

Christopher reflects on ‘what being more human’ in the context of care means.

He highlights that care plans that care plans should not be generic but tailored to each person’s unique needs and circumstances, they should involve the person actively and are a living document.

He gives examples and notes that key point is that these plans should go beyond just practical tasks to also consider the emotional and mental well-being of the person and acknowledge the inherent risks while supporting individuals transparently and honestly.

Trust: Don’t promise what you can’t follow through on. (3:10)

Members of About with Friends talk about care plans from the perspective of providing the things people need so they can do the things they want to do.

Importance of trust and transparency is highlighted through stories of being promised things that later fall through and being let down, creating frustration and disappointment.