Our Products and Services
You might think we are a bit weird in that we don't like to provide a big drop-down menu of services that we offer. Our vision means that we'd hate people to have to simply fit into the service we provide. As a social enterprise following the social model of disability we recognise that it's not the impairment that stops people doing things - but the way in which society treats people that does.
A BLANK SHEET OF PAPER!
Weird isn’t it – but we wanted to make a simple point … don’t think we have a menu of options for you to choose from. We are led by your goals. We can help you to define these and then a service is developed around you. A personal assistant of your choice and in your control. Remember – get a life, tie it to some goals and NOT a service. Everyone needs People and Purpose. We are connected in Thurrock and can link you in with whatever is needed to get your needs met. The days of special bus, special centre, go home are DONE!
Opportunity Bases
Listening to our Community, we realised that not having safe comfortable places for some of our more vulnerable Customers would be a problem. We hate the big old day centres of the 1980’s – we love small, distinct, community spaces in the heart of the localities of Thurrock – Chadwell, South Ockendon, Stanford and Aveley to name but a few.
A truly Hyperlocal solution. So we have several discrete, adapted buildings all over the Borough. Each has a small team of dedicated trained staff that can support you. They are managed by co-ordinators who will welcome you and support you to find your goals and think about a bright future living as interdependently as possible (note that word ‘interdependent not independent).
Thurrock Autistic Community Together (TACT)
We were born with two ears and one mouth for a reason!
There has been a strong group of Autistic people and their families for many years in Thurrock. Approaching them, we heard stories of their loved ones finishing school and there being nothing for them. We understood the complexities and contention of ‘ABA’ (Applied Behaviour Analysis used in our local school) and really worked hard to develop this into an adult community inclusive support that uses Positive Behaviour Support and PROACT- SCIP which is ‘Positive Range of Options to Avoid Crisis and use Therapy – Strategies for Crisis Intervention’.
We are a registered user of these techniques and are proud that all our staff are qualified in their use. With careful interventions, we have supported people with extreme challenging behaviour to lead a happy life and be able to integrate into our community.
The ultimate successful examples of these are where we have supported young people to leave their family home and live a life in their own home supported by a team 24/7. DON’T PANIC – we don’t do this work lightly and for us it’s all about partnerships with parents and carers to ensure the support is right and the vulnerable person is safe and happy. Talk to us.
Thurrock Autistic Community Together Interdependent Living Experience (TACTILE)
We are really proud that in partnership with people with lived experience of Autism and carers we invented 'TACT' some time ago. It stands for Thurrock Autistic Community Together. We are proud that there are over 30 people benefitting from this service now. It intentionally accepts people for whom they are and supports them to live the lifestyle of their choice through supporting behaviour that challenges using 'Positive Behaviour Support' techniques. Ultimately we have supported several of the people using this service to move into their own accommodation with support.
A lot of people were telling us that they needed 'respite', a break - and that this was hard to find in Thurrock now as the local provider had left. So we listened, we designed together and we brought and converted this:-
TACTILE - which stands for Thurrock Autistic Community Together Interdependent Living Experience. In other words a beautiful, accessible space where people can come and stay, relax and experience what it feels like to live interdependently .. Whilst their family have a break. Everyone's a winner!
Interdependent Living Team
We recognised that people like to maximise their choice and control in life. This team is dedicated to doing just that. Highly trained staff are here for you to choose from in order to meet your lifestyle choices and goals. From turning up to simply support you to make dinner and go to bed, to supporting you to find the love of your life, a job, and the meaning of life!! It’s all possible. It’s all led by you.
This team works 7 days per week and can support you to find your goals and find a purpose – extremely practical and yet individual. We get everyone to define their gifts by Head, Heart and Hands. Here’s an example, would you choose this person as your staff? :-
Personal Assistants
You can book a Personal Assistant to support you. They all have different interests and skills. TLS will train and pay them on your behalf. Funding can come from yourself, via direct payment, using individual service funds or directly commissioned by Adult Social Care.
Schools in Transition
We work with the Special Schools in Thurrock. We give students an opportunity to get involved in the local community. They can do work experience in a café, work with our handyman or any community project. This forms part of our inclusion value and we will spend time supporting people to find and relate together, often using art projects such as Start Thurrock or Eazee Learning.
Liam’s Nightclub
Our dearly missed Director Liam Coffey was an inspiration for all that you see within TLS. This nightclub runs every other month and all are welcome!
We train our own DJ's - if you're interested - then email tlsdj@choiceandcontrol.co.uk
Brain Works
Brain Works is a self-advocacy group to ensure that disabled people’s voices are heard in local decision making, and offering them help and guidance to create a safe space, make new friends and make their voices heard.
Brain Works holds regular meetings to identify and discuss issues affecting disabled people locally. The group invites guest speakers, including representatives from Adult Social Care and other organisations.
The group operates under the same values as Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions, namely Inclusion, Aspiration, Choice and Togetherness.
Meetings take place every Wednesday from 4PM to 8PM at the Thameside Complex, 7th Floor. If you would like to get involved, please email dleaman@choiceandcontrol.co.uk
