Care and Support – Side by Side
Maria Davies is a proper Pembrokeshire lass. Born and bred in the county, she stresses that she is passionate about ensuring that people who need it receive the best possible care and support.
“I have worked in specialist care for over 30 years,” she told us, “and I believe my natural empathy and understanding towards a person’s needs mean I am highly adaptable.”
She is part of the Pembrokeshire Directory of Care and Support Enterprises where local people purchase support from local sole traders. This has been built by the Catalysts for Care project. The purpose of this directory is to provide more choice for people to find a personal, local care or support service that works for them.
All enterprises on this directory have signed up to a code of practice demonstrating that their service is safe, legal, well-run and high-quality. The code of practice was co-designed by various health and social care professionals in Pembrokeshire in March 2020. To meet the code of practice, enterprises can access free support from the Catalysts for Care Development Programmes.
Maria stresses that it is important that people are aware of their options about care. Many of us wait too long to plan, and it is her experience that a more person-centred approach is needed to enable the fullest possible independence at home for everyone who needs extra help. People are able to use their own funds, benefits and/or funding from social services to purchase the support they need at times to suit them.
A ‘what matters’ conversation starts with what’s important to the person and their loved ones by listening to their journey and identifying what’s important to them to ensure they meet their needs and outcomes. Once these needs are identified a support plan is put in place and reviewed regularly to ensure everyone’s happy.
Maria’s skills and experience, having worked alongside individuals including those with learning differences, dementia, and autism, mean she is able to support with that planning, and assess and adapt to her client’s health condition. To that end she has started Side by Side business, which offers support to people in the county in need of extra support at home. Recently she told us that she had supported someone to leave their home for the first time in two years. Such a good time accessing the community was had that the person didn’t want to go back and had booked a regular slot.
“I can offer a sitting service, companionship whilst the main carer takes some time out for themselves, support to arrange/attend appointments, shopping support, meal preparation, dog walking, IT and light gardening duties, in addition to support with other client’s needs, whether these have been identified in a care and support plan or by the individual. If I am unable to help due to high demand I will always try to find someone who can through my extensive network.”
As well as the practicalities, Maria understands that creativity is important to our wellbeing. She has extensive experience in creative therapy, and believes the simple things give us the most pleasure. Craft can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness and even dementia, by letting you express your creative side care-free.
“Evidence shows that creative therapy provides us with a non-verbal means of expression through visual presentation. This helps release any negative emotions and improves mental health and wellbeing. My main areas of creative therapy include storytelling, art, scrapbooking, joining music and memory groups, and encouraging intergenerational relationships and interests.”
Maria finds the clients who participate in art and craft experience a significant increase in overall wellbeing, through reduction in nerves, stress and anxiety. Though seemingly different, the acts of baking, knitting and gardening share characteristics that make them well-suited for self-care. “These activities all help to improve mood and lower stress levels if supported at the client’s own level and pace. The activities also have a meditative quality due to their repetition, but also require focus and attention, which can provide much welcomed distraction from other stresses. Along with their full engagement of the senses, these restorative practices can help us engage in mindfulness keeping us in the present moment – which benefits our mental health.”
Maria also mentioned the wonderful benefits of dogs, and both of her spaniels have been involved in supporting people and bringing great comfort to them.
Please don’t hesitate to contact her for a friendly chat either by telephone or email if you think she might be able to help you.
07860241996
Email sidebysidecymru@gmail.com
TWITTER sidebyside_pemb
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/Sidebysidepembs
Please note, Pembrokeshire.Online does not endorse or recommend any service. We are very happy to support local people in their enterprises but it is your responsibility to make the usual checks when engaging support to ensure that it meets your needs.
