Jonathan, Nathan, Anna* and Alex who live in four of our homes in the Brighton and Hove area travelled to Christ Church University on 4 December to deliver an important message about communication and connection.
Together with their support workers, they devised an interactive sensory story to explain why hanging out with friends is so important to everyone.
They performed Hanging Out at the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Learning Disability Community of Practice event to an assembled audience of health professionals. Everyone played a part in co-producing the story including choosing the accompanying music and objects used to convey their important message.
The Hanging Out Program is based on intensive interaction. People with profound and multiple learning disabilities are the focus, and the program prioritises interaction as a core part of supporting the person. The approach is simple: spend 10 minutes with a person, giving them 100% of your attention.
Hanging out recognises that connecting with others is a fundamental human requirement. Engagement must be meaningful to the person and can take many forms. Turn taking, mirroring actions such as winks and blinks, air blowing on cheeks or squeezing/massaging hands.
The program highlights the importance and power of touch as a form of communication.
HANGING OUT SENSORY STORY
[Sad music plays]
Am I asleep or just bored? Or fed up because my life is rubbish…. .[Touch, sound: Squeeze whoopee cushions hand over hand].
Everyone has their own way of making friends, sharing stories and simply enjoying the company of others, but sometimes the world leaves us out. [Touch, see: cover with drape and reveal]
Today we’re going to a really cool place where our friends will be. They call it ‘community’ and being with my friends is as powerful as a strong cup of coffee. [Smell: Cup of coffee beans]
This cool place is flat and smooth, so I can get there without too much hassle and I have space to be with my friends. [Touch: smooth flat stone]
The first time I went I felt a light shine that had never been shone before. Now it gets bigger and brighter every time I go. [See: Bright lights in disco ball]
As the word spreads of this place, I meet more people being heard by the world. All our voices becoming louder like the banging of a drum. [Hear, help: Banging drum]
A powerful thing happens at this cool place – I am touched …people I connect with give me high fives, they shake and hold my hand, I feel valued, I feel wanted, I feel touched. [Touch: on shoulder or high five]
They call this the Hanging Out Café and now I can see how I am a part of this really cool place they call ‘community’. [See: reflection in mirror]
When surrounded by people I love, I feel the warmth embrace me. I feel heard. I feel valued. [Touch: Wrap in rug, gentle squeeze on arms].
All I needed was the world to wake up to hear me. [Sound, vibration: alarm clock]
[Joyful dancing music]
People supported across our homes in Brighton and Hove often visit each other and go on joint outings. They are currently creating their own Hanging Out Café – a place where they can all belong as full members of society. It will be a place where people can feel safe and where there will be resources and information about other events in the community.
The ambition is for the cafe to evolve, constantly challenging norms.
*name changed for anonymity
