Mr H is 102!

Colleagues across Lincolnshire County Council have been embedding Strengths Based Practice and Applied Behavioural Science in their work. They have now worked with over 55 teams internally and with partners such as SERCO, LPTF, the Wellbeing Service, Carers, and many more.

We know from measuring impact that the approaches have made a difference in over 90% of cases during the roll-out, and in one stunning example that is outlined below. 

Hayley, the practitioner involved, has shared some photos as Mr Hawbrook continues to thrive in a place he calls home... over two years after Hayley first worked with him!

Happy 102nd birthday to Mr Hawbrook and well done to all of those who have supported him!

In Hayley's words:

"I have been asked to share with you a case that has made my job so worthwhile, using the MINDSPACE technique.

In 2022, I had been supporting a gentleman who had just turned 100 and had been offered a property in extra care housing.

The gentleman is currently in STC and has been for the last eight months.

When I initially took the case on, his family were concerned that he would not manage in Extra Care. The first conversation with me was that they felt he was too old (at this point he was 99).

The care home owner also did not think that he had capacity to make the decision to move. I had not had concerns regarding capacity, however the care home owner advised I had not seen the gentleman in the evening and this is when he became increasingly confused. I visited, with a colleague, one evening and the gentleman presented as he had previously when I met him; fully understanding the risks associated with not being in STC and had full insight into his care needs.

Over the last 8 months I have spent long periods of time with the gentleman; talking about what is important to him and his dreams and desires. He looked at me one day and said “Hayley, you need to get me out of here before I turn 100 else I will never get out". Of course, I could not promise this but I continued to keep his spirits as high as I could. He turned 100 in February and since then his mental well-being has been up and down. 

I continued to keep his focus forward and when I called him yesterday he cried and said “You have made my life complete".

I also spoke to his daughter yesterday and she said she cannot wait to get her father settled and happy.

The next chapter is to support to move him to Louth in the next few weeks."

Mr Hawbrook did move out and has recently enjoyed his 102nd birthday. We are all delighted that we could help him achieve his goal and proud of the work of Hayley and her colleagues.

For more information on Strengths-Based Approaches, please contact us via lhnt.itsallaboutpeople@nhs.net