April 2014 Well being survey for family, friends and carers of adults who come to the drop-in
23 told us what they think
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How long has the adult with learning disabilities and/or additional needs who you support or care for, been coming to SUSO Parachute?
More than a year
17 73%
More than 6 months 2 9%
More than 3 month
2 9%
More recently
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2 9%
How did you hear about us?
From a parent
Partnership Board Meeting
Involved in original SUSO group
Client’s parent
From daughter
Stall at Treacle Mkt before it opened
Local press
Don’t know
My partner saw it and told me
From Project Manager
Leaflet & Support Worker
Friend
From my Personal Assistant
Friend
Peaks & Plains Magazine
Friend
Friend whose daughter used to go to group
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Are You?
Family 17 74%
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Friend
Support Worker/P.A. 6 26%
How often do they come to the drop-in?
More than once a week 10 44% Fortnightly
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Other (Please specify)
Once a week 12 52%
Monthly 1 4%
No set times
Do they speak about the drop-in at home? (They may not do, that’s fine)
Often 12 52%
Sometimes
8 35%
Rarely
Not at all 3 13%
If yes what kind of things do they talk about? (staff, volunteers, friends, activities,
what they do to help out).
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Friends, work experience
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Activities, using pc
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Likes routine, so everytime Monday comes round or is seen on his calendar. He says Parachuteand signs Dr Who as he likes using the computer
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Staff, volunteers, activities and friends he has made
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What she has done today
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She tells people who she met and what she did there
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I let people know all the lovely things they have going on at the Parachute from training to quizzes and just general chats with great friendshipsmade. Such a wonderful place where people can be themselves
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The staff and the things they do whilst they are there
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Enjoy the people and activities
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Staff and things you are all trying to organize
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Friends, activities, staff, volunteers, events
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Friends, future activities, ideas for activities
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The staff and the activities
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Stephen likes the staff and his friends at Parachute drop-in
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Friends, trips, what they do
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Staff, friends, activities and helping
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What they do to help out
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She doesn’t use speech to communicate and doesn’t have typical conversations due to her learning disability
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Excellent staff. Jackie feels that she can talk about what is happening during week
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Andrea likes the people who attend Parachute and also the people who help everyone. Andrea really enjoys the signing lessons, the planning of events and the company of nice friends.
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What kind of things do they share with you – do you have any particular stories, perhaps something that pleasantly surprised you or something you really didn’t expect?
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The things she has done in the arts crafts sessions. Friends at Parachute have drawn pictures for her . She’s met up with people she knows who she would otherwise lose touch with
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Reports on what has been happening within the group
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Parachute is an outside experience that they can talk about/share with others
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Stephen told me he had made a video at the drop-in. He often tells me he has had a meeting. Speaks with his friends and the staff
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Some of the activities in Macclesfield
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Sarah appeared to cope well when attending the conference in Blackpool
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Planned events. What friends have been doing. What was played on the Wii. How Barclays staff came in to work with tablet computers. Art projects with Jenny
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Mostly everything
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Pictures of the group in the local paper, about things they have all achieved
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Philip enjoyed telling us what activities he’s been up to and tht he enjoyed going to Blackpool for the conference
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Richard enjoys all the activities that he does. He really enjoys using Facebook
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Just looking beyond people’s disabilties. I myself feel I have made some lovely
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friends as well as
my client. Everybody is so pleasant and kind and there is
always a fab
atmosphere
Sian was surprised to win a hamper in the raffle last year, and she gave it to her mum as a Christmas present
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Using pieces of paper to make a picture. Surprises me with her enthusiasm
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He enjoys helping and talking to people
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Due to ASD – client will find it difficult to relate any stories
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We were pleasanltly surprises to see how involved with events in the town, Parachute is. The Barnaby festival carnival and the art display to name a few.
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How do you feel they benefit? (E.g. New friends, different activities, learning new things, more involved in the community)
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All of these, and in addition it’s a special place which my daughter can access as and when she feels well enough
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She has more friends and is keeping busier
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New friends. Feels she is with ‘Peer’ group rather than in ‘cared for’ environment, i.e. does not feel as dependent as in other situations
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Gives client a regular routine which is important for them
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Helps him meet other people in a none threatening environment where he can join in or not and that’s ok
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New friends, different activities to normal. A change of activities He feels he is helping with the local community
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Loves doing crafts. Has made new friends
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Gets to know more people. Gives her social interaction which is very important to prevent her from becoming isloated and withdrawn
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My client benfits from just being around people who are understanding of her disabilities where she feels accepted for who she is
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Richard has benefitted by making new friends and has enjoyed the interaction with new people
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Phlip enjoys talking to new people and getting involved in the activities and learning new things
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Made new friends and involved with things that happen in the town
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Friends, socialising
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Being with friends
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Becoming more independent. Getting self up and catching the bus to meet and go into town with friends
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Meeting other people and getting to know them
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Stephen loves being with people and enjoys the interaction with his friends at the drop-in. Like eating his lunch with his friends at the drop-in
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A chance to be included in a peer group. To learn how to behacve appropriately in different settings. To experience humour and banter to learn to reciprocate. To be in a non-judgemental environment which is supportive and inclusive
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Meeting different people. Enjoys helping and being involved
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More involved in the community
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New friends and maintaining social contact with existing friends. Enjoying the art activities
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Keeping in touch with people. Finding out about things that are happening. Doing arts/crafts in a group.Likes the access to computer and meeting friends
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What positive changes have you noticed? (E.g. happier, relaxed, more talkative, less stressed, more enthusiastic, engaged, less bored)
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Jackie is always very talkative and full of news of arts and crafts. Things that they have made. At present making things for Barnaby weekend
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She’s happy to have been at Parachute when she comes home
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Good to keep up the social side rather than being on her own
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Happier
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Much more likely to speakup and speak out – venture opinions. Better at engaging with others in a reciprocal way. Learning how to be cheeky without being offensive
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Has become more self-confident and chatty
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Stephen is happier, more content and very pleased with his self when he comes home from the drop-in. Always looks forward to going to Parachute
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Gives Andrew a good place to go every week and makes him more talkative
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Willing to get out of bed and attend
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Happier, more relaxed
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Happier
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More positive, interested in everything that goes on at the club
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Philip is a lot happier and is less bored now he goes to Parachute
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Richard is a lot happier since he’s been going to Parachute
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My client is happier and looks forward to seeing her friend at the Parachute. She loves group activities where she can express herself to others
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Sian is happy and content after a visit to Parachute, where she can be very talkative. She was singing songs there the last time we went
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Excited when I pick her up. Tells me what she has done. Enthusiastic and happy
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Generally enthusiastic about it
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Client always keen to attend and would be disappointed if couldn’t come
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More talkative and happier
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She has gained confidence and made friends.
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Do YOU feel you benefit from their involvement with SUSO Parachute? Yes
21
92%
No
2 8%
If ‘Yes’ – in what way? -
She is happier because she ‘belongs’ – this has an impact at home
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Allows me to talk with my peers
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Because it is somewhere he likes going to
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Because Andrew feels useful and needed. It is positive to his and my well-being
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I can have a couple of hours break knowing she is safe, happy and most of all enjoying herself. I can feel guilt free
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The gaps in Sian’s time that need to be filled are unscheduled and irregular, and the Parachute drop-in is often the only option
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She is listened to, so she feels an equal valued member of society and the local community
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Yes, I think it has helped him to interact better with staff
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Philip has been a lot happier since going to Parachute and less shy
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Think it has been positive in getting involved with people
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Respite from 1:1 care
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Getting Sarah up and out of the house
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I benefit because Andrew is less bored and it makes him more independent
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I benefit as Stephen is happy there and always comes back with stories of what he has been doing. It’s a great facility!!
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Parachute is a happy friendly environment for everyone that comes through the door. Gives me ideas and topics which can move into life outside
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Yes as it is something Alison does without me
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Meeting new friends
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Jackie sees friends at SUSO that she does not see during the week
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As a parent, I benefit by having peace of mind that my daughter is spending time in a safe and happy place.
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A great place for less able people to feel part of an organisation where they are equal.
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What do you think about the cost and flexibility of drop-in?
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Flexibility is essential as we can’t be pinned down too much – plan each day/week as it comes (from a parent who does not feel they benefit from daughter’s
involvement) -
The flexibility is good as you’re not committed to times and days. (from support
worker who does not feel they benefit from client’s involvement) Cost is fair -
Cost is no problem
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Very good
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Good
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Cost is ok for long sessions. Would like to bring others to ‘pop’ in eg fro coffee and taster but put off by charge if only staying half an hour or so ( 1st session is
free of charge) -
The cost is too low – it should be more, say £5 per session
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The expense is negligible for the good it does
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As Sarah is not expected to achieve any objectives, it takes the pressure off her and the fear of failure
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Cost ok. Would be better if drop-in was available more in school holidays and evenings (We close 4-5 weeks per year inc over Xmas, so open most school
holidays) -
OK
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Think cost is reasonable
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Very good
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I think it is very good
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The cost I think is fantastic for the service and support that Parachute offer and the times in which we can use the Parachute are personally great for us
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The cost presents very good value for us and the flexibility is essential to meet Sian’s needs as I often don’t know the dates she will be free. Or the dates may change, so pre-arranging scheduled activities would be difficult
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Cost is minimal, very handy to drop-in any time
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Fair enough
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OK
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Very good
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Good but occasional evenings would be good e.g. cinema night
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Very Very Very important to have the sessions affordable, and the sessions flexible.
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Would you say that SUSO Parachute is:
a. A very important community resource b. Quite beneficial
20 87% 3 13%
c. A not particularly important service.
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Is there anything else you would like to add?
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Parachute has definitely improved opportunities for the learning disabled in Macclesfield. It’s great to see Parachute friends when we’re out and about and for clients to have friends, their own peer group, who they a) don’t pay or b) are part of their domestic set up.
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This is an important facility for the learning disabled in Cheshire East as many other centres have closed. The staff are friendly and helpful and there is always a great welcome at Parachute
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Just keep up the good work – Thank You
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Parachute is set in the centre of town, giving the users the opportunity to practice independence, eg. Using shops, eating out and road safety FAB! FAB! FAB! I think Parachute, with the appropriate funding, can and will go from strength to strength in the future Parachute is a valuable community centre. These adults find it extremely hard to make friends. They are always made to feel important in a very caring environment. They are safe, the staff are friendly and welcoming. They learn new skills whilst making friends. All this is so important to them. It would be a very sad day if funding wasn’t available. Thank you for all your support over many years. Please carry on your excellent work
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