Supporting The Vulnerable Adult

If you have been following my blog you will know that I now have a new job after a year and a half of looking.  Oh boy what a relief, now I feel able to make clear decision and take control of my life. This past year has given me a feel of what it is like to have my mental health comprised and feel vulnerable. But unlike the majority of the clients I have supported I have been fortunate in having very good family and friends who have been there supporting and helping me through this difficult period.

I feel I have been fortunate over the past decade in my choice of work. This has involved working with adults who are considered vulnerable due to their disability or age. My past roles have  involved supporting  people experiencing mental health difficulty, people who have difficulty in communicating their needs.This has included providing emotional support, and advocacy, helping people to express their needs and wishes, helping people to access services obtain information.

This is my first month in my new job and although I love the job, more so than my other roles it has highlighted the inequalities of society and the challenges of growing old. Most of the clients I meet are elderly, some appear to have had a comfortable lifestyle, that's not to say their life has been stress free, some well what can I say. How does a pensioner cope in society when they can't read or write, when the person who supported and cared for them are no longer around, when they are plagued by physical disability.  What I have seen is scary, because I know the work that people like me do is like  picking away at an ice berg.

When we speak of tolerance, non judgemental, empathy. I now know what it takes, when I walk into a home that makes me gag from smells accumulated through years of human waste seeped into the carpets, I sit, I listen, I take notes, I begin to formulate a plan of how I am going to support this vulnerable person, Because of their sense of humour, their tenacity in the face of adversity, I see past the exterior surrounding I see the real person the vulnerable person.

Plus Size Custom Made Dress

For me knowing what style suits a client body is very important, this is developed during the consultation, which can prove very challenging. This client is a size 24Uk with a very full bust and a smaller hip structure, she has never worn skirts or dresses and wanted a change. My brief for this client was to make a dress that she could wear to work and an executive she needed something that would give her the WOW factor without attracting too much attention to her full bust, especially as most of of clients were men. 

Although she came with a style in mind a shift dress in plain fabric, similar to the dress above without the belt and with sleeves. nice, but I felt it would not do her justice, or achieve the look she was aiming to project. After some lengthy discussions and gently persuasion she agreed to having a print. 

To balance the bust and hip ratio I added a plain top to an empire style with a contrasting polka dot print skirt. 

The skirt is made up in panels which allowed me to contour the shape to fit the clients body, for movement there is a slit at the back. Worn with killer red heels and plain navy jacket will give her that WOW factor. I am very pleased with the finished result as is the client. I now have two dresses to make up for her and the great thing is she has taken on board what was discussed in our first consultation and have become a bit more adventurous with colour and fabric. I am not saying much more now, but will post these once I have completed them. 

Have a great weekend

Two New cushion Covers

Laura Ashley Raspberry Awning Stripe Cushion Covers

This delightful Stripe Cushion Covers is made up in Laura Ashley Awning Stripe fabric,
The stripe fabric is made up of a linen and cotton mix in tones cranberry red, biscuit and cream combine with the Laura Ashley Gosford Cranberry Cushion Cover  seen below

The second of my new cushion covers is the 

Laura Ashley  Forbury  Red Stripe Cushion Covers fabric - cushion covers

This red Stripe Cushion Covers is made up in Laura Ashley Forbury Stripe fabric,
The stripe fabric is made up of a 70% cotton and 30% rayon in stripe tones of red and cream

The Laura Ashley Forbury stripe cushion covers would make a wonderful gift and wedding present. Pillow covers are perfect for adding finishing touches to your bedroom or living room, use to cover scatter cushions, accent pillows or throw cushions for an affordable, effective and easy way to transform your home decor.

Love to hear what you think

First Week At Work

Well I have survived my first week at work in my new job, on the whole it has been a pleasant experience. Each day or should I say evening started with the normal panic of choosing what to wear.

Monday I drove my colleagues to a local event organised by Age UK, I picked up a few freebies, including a couple of pens and a trolley coin on a long chair, which can be used instead of a pound coin, and it saves rummaging at the bottom of my handbag for that elusive coin

Tuesday in the office stapling bits of paper together and putting systems in place for the new project 

Wednesday I travelled down to London to meet the rest of the team members, really lovely bunch of people.  I  used to enjoy travelling up to London to work, maybe its age but the thought of getting up at 6am and fighting my way through the crowd of commuters every morning and evening does not appeal, not that it ever did.

Thursday back at the office, meeting with one of the commissioners who funded the project. 

Friday back in London to shadow an experienced team member to pick her brain and get information which would help and compliment the running of my new project. Attend another Age UK event in Kensington, collected more freebies including a mug and toe nail clippers, gum toothpaste, don't need it but it was free, ruler from the met police and much more.

Going to enjoy the weekend even more, I think I have earned my weekend 

I hope you had a great week at work and an even better weekend. 

SOLD on October !st

October the first was my first day in my new job. First day at work can be very daunting, but my day started really well. After washing, dressing and have my first cup of caffeine for the day and still having plenty of time to spare. I turned on my laptop and access my email, I was met with a welcome surprise. I had sold two cushion covers from my Etsy shop.

What a way to start my day.. The cushion covers was purchased by a customer in lovely CA USA.
I can only thank her for making my first day at work so pleasant.

The cushion cover was a trial and I am so pleased I made this move, this purchase has give me the confidence, so here are a few of my recent makes.

  

Laura Ashley Summer Rose' in Chalk Pink Cushion Cover 

Laura Ashley Gosford cranberry cushion cover

My day at work, well, it couldn't have been better, it started with a smile, everyone was really friendly and relaxed. It's early days at the moment, I am still going through the induction as this is a new project, I am still working with my manager on the practical and organisation needed to put the project into action, so it is all paperwork at the moment.