Can't thank everyone at Vivid Community Care enough for all their dedication, hard work and care, especially during this past, very difficult year. I know I am very well looked after and safe. Special thanks go out to Aneeqa Ali, Surinder Kaur- Dhillon, Delia Kallas and anyone else I may have missed. The service we receive is outstanding and should be recognised. They are always very welcoming and kind.

" Vivid Community Care, management and staff members have been looking after my son since August 2019, and I would like to feedback on these long challenges which recur consistently throughout the life of all Special Needs People as my 25 years old son SA.
Before Vivid took over, SA was with another Care Provider company which is one of the earliest and leading care providers in the UK. This WS knew my son since Nursery age and we’re providing SA on and off short breaks since.

When SA reached his 22nd birthday, I realised it was time to secure SA’s future early enough before I am gone. Of course, WS worked hard with myself and my daughter to find a supported living accommodation.
The first year SA was looked after in his new flat went well in terms of him enjoying his independence and daily routine, plus indoors and outdoors activities. Nothing is perfect and SA was happy to be with familiar Carers, BUT, a very important qualification for looking after SA was missing.
SA is autistic with Epilepsy and anxiety fits conditions. When SA’s fits happened, the WS staff would not interfere and leave him somewhere safe until he calms down. These fits impacted on SA‘s eyes by losing sight on his left eye.

After a lot of difficulties we decided to find a new Care Provider who are trained in: first, stopping SA from hitting his eyes and damaging his right eye again. And second, a professional medical staff to be consulted in terms of SA’s meds administration.
After a very long search we found Vivid and believed from the start that they can do both. During the handover weeks, and of course, I always rely on SA’s behaviour or reaction to make any judgement.

As a mother, my main concern was saving SA from any more harm. 1- Vivid staff members could master straight away what to do once they sense an agitation is about to take place: First, they would try to distract SA in any way to prevent the panic attack from escalating. And if outdoors they would go back to the flat within minutes for SA’s safety. If the panic attack started, then they would keep SA in his bedroom and use a huge pillow to stop SA from hitting himself or the staff themselves. I was observing the staff during the above incidents and was impressed how quickly, calmly and assuring each one of them was keen to know SA’s needs and accommodate to them.

At the same time, SA was happy with all of them and was aware of the tender, sweet and professional mutual relationship. The staff members were eager to find any triggers to these fits to prevent them as much as they can. SA is a lovely adult to look after as the staff feedback and it saddens them to watch those violent fits especially after which they see how SA is back to his innocent nature. Sleepless long nights followed by no activities long days made the whole team try to find a way to encourage SA to do more outdoors activities: like long walks alongside the river, going to local parks and enjoying the swings, going for long drive in his car, or go cycling with his sister.

Most recently swimming seems like a top activity for SA for fun and as a therapeutic treatment for his seizures and anxiety fits. Every day we learn as family and Carers working as a team more about SA especially when we share our moments with SA and how he reacted in his own/new way. The only obstacle that faced us was the provision which was one to one and it wasn’t meeting SA’s needs. Within the annual improvements of SA’s care plan, and the support of all those professionals in all departments, we could have the 24/7 two to one provision.
It was a challenge to start with, but Vivid proved to be able to do it as it means safety for SA and the staff. I am so glad to go through this long journey with my son and daughter. The challenges will always be there, but now it is safer, easier and even much more fun for SA. For example, when I come to take SA for a drive he will be so happy laughing while getting ready, but it is so sweet how he would wait for the Carers to come as well by holding their hands and go out.

I am a mother who will always worry about her children, yet it is one million times more when it is a precious SEN child. I strongly recommend Vivid services to any family with SEN children and will be happy to talk about my experience to any interesting parents or siblings. I have a long experience with my son over the last 25 years, and was awarded “Carer of the year 2016”, yet watching my son happy in his own supported living flat is much more better award for me. "

"Hi Yetunde,
Many thanks for your clear communication throughout this process it has been a big discharge however you have been fantastic to work with.
Kind Regards, "

"Dear Yetunde,
M, mourning, of course, for her dear husband and has asked me again to write on her behalf to express her sincere gratitude for the superb help your staff provided to L in the last days of his life. Max, of course, was there on his very last day and showed his expertise by kindly advising M to arrange for our wonderful Minister, R, to visit and give Communion. This was arranged and Max and I, along with M and our Minister partook of this most sacred sacrament. L died approximately one hour afterwards. M will be forever grateful to Max as she nor I, with our lack of medical knowledge, would have realised that the end was near. Max also stayed until after 7.30 p.m. when L’s body was removed from the house. Please indicate to him how much we appreciated his sympathy and guidance during this sad time. We are also so very, very grateful to Barbara for her excellent kind and medical experience. Her calmness, bright outlook on life was a breath of fresh air every time she was on duty. L enjoyed her singing to him and the prayers we had with her around the bed. Thanks also are included for Prossy and Ola with the two children. Finally, Yetunde, we would like to thank you once again for your accurate summing up of M’s position when you visited and the arrangements you put in place which were so successful in the last days of dear L’s life. We remain eternally grateful. "

"Fred has made a real difference to our Dad who suffers from a form of Parkinson's disease and has severe mobility issues. Since Fred came to us 3 months ago, Dad has become more engaged again in his life and the world around him. Fred provides companionship and conversation as well as care. He listens and talks without patronising. He engages with Dad and respects his desire to be independent and in control as long as possible. Fred is also aware there are boundaries and limits to what can be done and is fair and clear when explaining this - he has the gift of emotional intelligence and he goes the extra mile for Dad."

"The carers are fantastic. They support me to look after myself and live my life."

"I have made tremendous support, especially with my medication. The staff have supported me with keeping well. I get to pick the staff I want to work with. I find it easy to interact with my carers."

"My name is Andrew and I live in supported living through Vivid Community Care. I have been living here for nearly a year. I feel happy where I am living. It is very pleasant and peaceful. I feel like I can continue living my life the way I want to. I enjoy seeing the staff throughout the day and evenings, I get on well with them all. I think they are all nice. There isn’t anything I would change. I feel like I am listened to most of the time and that makes me feel happy and cared for. Since moving in I am happy for the support I have received and that I can get on with my life. "

"My name is Phil and I live in supported living through Vivid Community Care I have been living here for nearly two months. I am really happy with where I am living. My room is comfortable, and I enjoy having my own private place. I like seeing the staff throughout the day and evenings, I get on well with them all and like to have a chat from time to time. There isn’t anything I would change. I feel like I am listened to and that makes me feel valued as a person. Since moving in I am happy for the support I have received. My confidence has been building and I have been going out on my own to the theatre and places to eat and to the garden centres. "

"My name is Paul and I live in supported living through Vivid Community Care. I have been living here for over two months. I am happy with where I am living and can’t wait to get a place of my own. It has been a great stepping stone for me to get to where I would like to be. I like seeing the staff throughout the day and evening, I get on well with them and like to have a chat from time to time, they me laugh. There isn’t anything I would change. I feel like I am listened to and that makes me feel valued as a person. "