Changing lives through Dimensions Activate

Our new model of support, Activate, is based on research carried out over two years, at 24 services and involving over 80 of the people we support.

Two ladies with a mild IDD/diabetes diagnosis share supported accommodation.

29 year old Sarah also has Prader Willi syndrome and 54 year old Janet was being assessed for epilepsy. Both ladies have a good sense of humour and Sarah is gifted with animals.

Before adopting the Activate approach, Sarah was verbally aggressive and would injure herself. Her behaviours of distress contributed to Janet’s anxiety and seizures, putting a strain on their relationship.

Researchers supported staff with training, monitoring and feedback. We trained Sarah and Janet’s staff teams on the components of Activate: Active Support, Positive Behaviour Support and Periodic Service Review.

Sarah, Janet and their support teams are all much happier and healthier thanks to Activate.

Sarah now volunteers in a guinea pig sanctuary and walks rescue dogs, while Janet is enrolling on a higher level course in Maths and English.

Both women have better control over their health, finances and what they do in their spare time.

Our analysis below outlines the approaches and outcomes achieved for Sarah, Janet and their staff team.